Is your teenager struggling and you’re not sure how to help?
Depression in Adolescents
Depression Treatment for Adolescents in Elm Grove, WI
Maybe they are having anger outbursts or struggling to manage their emotions effectively. Perhaps they’re withdrawing from friends and social activities or showing less willingness to engage in school . You may be fed up with their defiance and the conflicts when you’re just trying to help. Perhaps you’re just worried about their future if this keeps up.
Sometimes it is hard to tell what is ‘just being a teenager’ and what is a more serious concern. The fact is, adolescents experience and express depression differently than fully developed adults. If your teen is showing these symptoms with regularity, it may be depression that requires professional help:
Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed
Irritability or anger
Withdrawal from friends and family
Changes in appetite and weight
Lack of energy or increased fatigue
Mental Health Therapy can help
Teens and adolescents often struggle expressing themselves to their own family and they don’t have the skills to manage their emotions or make positive changes on their own. It can be extremely difficult as a parent who just wants the best for their child. This is where I can help.
Working with a professional counselor allows your teenager to :
Develop a healthy relationship that is unique to them
Identify and address problems they tend to keep to themselves
Build skills to self-manage,
Learn to utilize healthy support systems
Foster self-awareness so that they can grow into a composed and responsible adult.
Helping adolescents in therapy often starts with building a strong connection. I will guide your teen through this process, making sure each step fits their unique needs and life situation. My approach to therapy comes from understanding that there's not one single problem but a mix of things that might be bothering them. I'll help your teen focus on what they can control in order to create positive change.
Misery and conflict don’t have to be the story of your child’s teenage years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know if therapy will help my child?
Q: What are therapy sessions like for teens and adolescents?
A: Initial sessions are about building trust and connection through conversation and possibly activities like playing cards while we talk. Once we establish rapport we will start to identify and address the problems they are facing in various areas of their lives.
A: While therapy may not solve all problems, it can often provide your child with coping skills, resilience, and improved emotional well-being. Additionally, therapy can provide a safe space for your child to express their thoughts and feelings, fostering a deeper understanding of their emotions and leading to improved self-awareness.
Q: How involved are parents in their child’s sessions?
A: It is best for the therapist and parent to connect directly at the start of therapy so parents can share their perspective of the issues going on. From there, it can be helpful to give the adolescent some autonomy in how much they want their parents involved - with the understanding that safety or health concerns will need to be addressed with appropriate parental support.
A: Reach out to me via the button below or give me a call at 414-207-4160. I’m happy to answer any questions and respond to any concerns you may have. If you’re ready to schedule, you can do so online with the 'Schedule a Session' button below.