Things Teens Wish Parents Knew and How Therapy for Teens Helps!
Many parents wonder why they find it so difficult to communicate with their teenagers, or why their teens do not come to them with their problems.
You may have experienced this in your own home, which is why the relationship that you have with your teen may be becoming strained.
This is likely making you feel extremely frustrated toward the teen in your life, but remember that your teen has their own feelings that they need to work through.
There is a high probability that they are just as frustrated as you are with the situation.
For this reason, it is crucial that you make an active effort to listen to what they have to say.
Your Teen Could Actually Be Struggling with Anxiety and Depression
Yes, Teens Do Have Feelings
Teens CAN have feelings of anxiety and depression. Many parents disregard the problems that their teenagers have as too small to be actually considered. Things like “You’re too young to know what REAL problems are” can make teenagers feel invalidated and dread talking to their parents about their issues. Many parents immediately rule out anxiety and depression because they believe that the teens are too young to have symptoms of either, but both are extremely common in teens. In fact, many of the individuals we see in therapy for teens often struggle with these issues among other identity issues.
The Phone and Technology
The phone is not always the problem. Whenever parents have an issue with how their teen is acting, the phone is usually the first to go. Because parents most commonly see their teens on phones, the first punishment to come to mind is taking away the phone.
However, when teens can’t talk to their parents about their problems, who do you think they go to? Their friends. The quickest way to talk to those friends is through their phones. When the phone is always taken away, your teen can’t talk to you, nor can they talk to their friends, and are left with bottled up feelings that they can’t tell anyone.
Parents Unintentionally make teens want to go back to their room
There is nothing wrong with teens wanting to stay in their room, to a certain extent. However, the reaction that their parents give them when they come out usually wants them to go right back. When greeted with “Oh you still live here?” and “Look who decided to join us,” teens feel uncomfortable with their own parents. However, there are solutions to this that will better the relationships that parents have with their teens.
Four Quick Solutions to get your Teen to Talk to You Again
Listen to your teen
Listen, don’t talk. When your teen does come to you with their issues, stop trying to turn everything into a learning moment. Listen to what they are trying to tell you and take their feelings seriously.
Stay calm and watch your non-verbals
When it is your turn to talk, talk to your teen like an adult. Don’t get heated, but use a calm, even tone to have a real conversation about their problems.
Validate your teen’s problems
Acknowledge that they do have problems that are just as relevant as your own. This will validate their feelings and encourage them to talk to you in the future.
Start Family therapy
Family therapy and therapy for teens are available and are shown to help teens get their feelings out, especially when they can’t talk to their parents.
Therapy for Teens Can Help Them Communicate Their Feelings
The only thing many teens need is someone to listen and offer them solutions to feeling the way that they do. In most cases, simply talking to parents is not enough.
There are many different reasons that teenagers want teen counseling, not many of which they want to talk about with their parents, which is completely okay.
There are certain things that you don’t talk about with your teens, just as there are certain things your teens don’t talk about with you.
Therapy can help your teen talk out their feelings. Therapy for teens in Kansas is readily available through JS Therapy Group.
Teen Counseling in Leavenworth, KS and Overland Park, KS
Your teen doesn’t have to keep their feelings bottled up anymore. Our caring teen therapists are available to help them talk through their problems and begin getting them back to doing what they love. Our caring teen therapists are ready to work with you! To start counseling at JS Therapy Group located in Overland Park, KS, and Leavenworth, KS, follow these simple steps:
Contact JS Therapy Group and schedule a free consultation,
Meet with one of our caring teen therapists
Start feeling like a family again!
Other Counseling Services at JS Therapy Group
Therapy for teens and family therapy is not the only service we offer in our Leavenworth, KS, and Overland Park, KS counseling centers. Other mental health services JS Therapy Group provides include couples therapy, therapy for children and plays therapy, trauma and PTSD treatment, addictions counseling, trauma, and PTSD treatment for children, premarital counseling, family therapy, depression treatment, affordable and reduced therapy, anxiety treatment and workshops, classes, and groups. We also offer professional consultations and supervision opportunities. If you can’t make it to see one of our therapists for in-person counseling, consider online therapy in Kansas to meet your mental health needs. Contact us to get started or click on one of the links to learn more. Contact JS Therapy Group.