Adolescent Counseling in Atlanta and Roswell
Adolescent Counseling in Atlanta and Roswell
If there is one thing that most of us can agree on, it is that being a teenager can be hard. Teenagers today are experiencing challenges that result in high levels of stress, anxiety, depression, poor decision making, addictions, and even suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Teens are bombarded by social media messages that can cause confusion or distress. Academic pressures can build to boiling point.
Teens may feel like that no one in their life can understand or help make sense of what is going on in life. They may feel helpless, hopeless, and overwhelmed, but may not know how to communicate that to those closest to them. At Restorative Counseling Services, we will work with your teen to help them not only better understand themselves but feel confident and able to communicate their experience.
Treatment
Your teen’s therapist will work with them to tailor an approach that will be best suited for them. During the initial session, their therapist will ask about their strengths and interests and try to get a better understanding of their world and how they view themselves in it. We’ll also discuss family dynamics, peer relationships, school, and day-to-day life. Each individual is unique and requires their own specific treatment approach to help them achieve their goals. By taking a holistic approach, we are better able to understand their world and then introduce a program that results in lasting and meaningful change.
Rachel McLelland, LMSW, and Jacqueline Conway, APC, REAT, are two of the Restorative counselors who are extremely passionate about and focused on working with teens. Just like almost everyone, they remember what life was like as a teenager, but they also know how beneficial therapy can be for teens. Rachel and Jacqueline have various experiences working with teens through mentoring programs, group counseling, and individual counseling. They teach teens evidenced-based techniques to manage anxiety, depression, stress, and general well-being. They can assist your teen in being their genuine selves: full of life, confidence, and hope.
Reach Out to Us: Book Now in Atlanta or Roswell
If your teen is exhibiting signs of depression, anxiety, ADHD, or increased levels of general distress, please contact our office today.
You can also call 678.403.0112 to set up an intake call.
A Message to Parents
When parents initially reach out to a therapist, they often express these concerns:
I feel like my teen is off, but I don’t understand why.
I don’t know how to help him/her.
Are they just in a phase or should I be worried?
What is “normal” for their age?
My teen spends a lot of time in his/her bedroom.
My teen complains about being stressed and overwhelmed and I don’t know how to help.
Parents, we know that you are doing the best that you can with the resources that you have.
Here at Restorative Counseling, we can teach your child how to process and express their emotions and thoughts in healthy ways. We can also equip your teen with coping skills that can help them feel that they have the tools to manage the stressors in their life.
If you are feeling concerned for your teen’s well-being, express your concern in a gentle, non-judgmental way. You may even want to share that you’ve noticed a difference in them, and that you want to help them by offering resources such as counseling. By starting the conversation, you may discover that your child has an interest in working with a therapist.
We want you to feel included as a part of the counseling process, so we ask that either one or both parents attend the initial session with your child. In that session, the therapist will introduce themselves, answer any questions, and go over the rules of confidentiality. We want to establish trust early in the process, and let the teenager know we truly have their best interest at heart. Only then can transformative healing and change begin.
Part of establishing this trust is for the teen to know that we will respect their right to confidentiality and privacy, which means that we strive to keep what is said during their counseling session confidential. If needed, we may encourage you and your teen to attend a session together or encourage your teen to share something with you that was discussed in counseling.
A Message to Teens
If you’re a teenager reading this, we want you to know that you are not alone if you feel like you are struggling with your mental health. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 teens (13-18) experience a mental health concern. Many times, you just need a space where you can safely process what is going on in your life without feeling judged or criticized. Your therapist will not only accept you for who you are, but also teach you valuable skills so you can make the changes you want to see in your life.
Symptoms of Distress in Adolescents
Whether you are a parent of an adolescent or a teen yourself, it is important to notice the signs that things might be getting out of control. Here are some of the common signs that may indicate that a teen is in distress and that counseling could be beneficial.
• Changes in personality such as seeming withdrawn, nervous, irritable, sad, or stressed
• Noticeable differences in sleep patterns or appetite
• Not wanting to spend time with friends and/or family
• Having a short temper or lashing out
• Actual self-harm or suicide attempt
• Starting to engage in behaviors that are unusual
• Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, or chest pain
• Noticeable difference in academic, athletic, or other extracurricular performance
• Expressing or having thoughts that indicate the potential for self-harm or suicide
Adolescent Mental Health Issues
Many mental conditions that teens face are not very different at their core than when they present in adults. However, symptoms may present themselves in different ways for teens than in adults due to social and developmental factors such as peer pressure, academic stress, sports, and changing hormones.
Depression in Teens
Depression for teens is no different medically for adults who experience depression. Depression is associated with high levels of stress and anxiety in teenagers.
Signs that an adolescent may be experiencing depression include:
• Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness
• Frequent self-criticism or self-blame
• Irritability or angry outbursts
• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
• Low self-esteem
• Changes in sleeping habits
• Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things
• Frequent thoughts of death, dying, or suicide
Anxiety in Teens
Some level anxiety for teenagers is common and natural. It is estimated that one in eight children will experience more intense anxiety. Teenagers have many reasons to feel anxious including tests, preparing for college, making friends, fitting in, balancing their schedules, making the team, or passing the audition.
As children enter and move through their teen years, they usually develop the necessary skills (with help from their parents and other adults such as teachers and coaches) to calm their anxiety and cope with their feelings. But sometimes anxiety can become chronic and persistent, which can develop into an anxiety disorder such as Social Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety, or Panic Disorder. A teen may be in the midst of one of these disorders if they experience any of the following to a significant and prolonged degree.
• Irritability
• Trouble falling asleep
• Feelings of fear
• Nervousness
• Shyness
• Feelings of shame
• Panic Attacks
• Isolating or avoiding people
For some teens, depression may accompany anxiety. Diagnosing both conditions is important so that treatment can address the underlying issues and help relieve symptoms.
Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Teens
According to the most recent diagnostic manual (DSM-5), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that impairs functioning or development. Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause problems with social, mental, and emotional well-being.
Young adults with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD experience challenges unique to their developmental time-frame, including shifts in hormones, executive functioning development, synaptic pruning or remodeling of the brain from childhood to adolescence as well as external social and academic pressures. Teens with ADHD often exhibit the following symptoms:
• Social anxiety
• Hyper-focus on media and video games
• Risky sexual engagement
• Response inhibition
• Giving up on tasks that seem “boring”
• Oppositional behaviors such as rule breaking and rude remarks
To learn more about ADHD, and how we treat it here at Restorative Counseling, contact us today.
Reach Out to Us: Book now in Atlanta or Roswell
If your teen is exhibiting signs of depression, anxiety, ADHD, or increased levels of general distress, please call 678.403.0112 to set up an intake call.
