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Maternal Mental Health

Specialties

Adolescent & Teen

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately one in five adolescents experience a mental health disorder; with anxiety, depression, and behavioral disorders being the most prevalent. 

 

Adolescence is a time of significant physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. Teens navigate identity formation, peer pressure, academic stress, family dynamics, and a host of other challenges. In fact, many mental health disorders first present during adolescence. Counseling provides a safe and supportive non-judgmental environment for teens to explore their thoughts, feelings, and concerns, helping them develop coping strategies, self-awareness, self-confidence, and emotional resilience. Failing to address any presenting adolescent mental health concerns may extend to adulthood and limit opportunities to lead fulfilling lives in adulthood. 

 

Many teens experience traumatic events or adverse life circumstances that can have a lasting impact on their mental health. These may include physical or emotional abuse, neglect, bullying, loss, or exposure to violence. Mental health issues can significantly impact a teen's academic performance, school engagement, and overall educational attainment. By addressing mental health concerns through counseling, teens can develop strategies to manage stress, improve focus and concentration, enhance problem-solving skills, improve sleep patterns, and build self-confidence. Counseling supports teens in developing a healthy mindset toward academics and maximizing their educational potential.

 

Adolescence involves significant transitions, such as transitioning from middle school to high school or preparing for post-secondary education. Counselors at Sunglow Counseling offer support and guidance during these transitions, helping teens navigate the associated challenges, make informed decisions, and manage stress effectively. Teens face significant academic pressures, including high expectations, time management challenges, and test anxiety. Counselors provide academic support by helping teens develop effective study skills, time management strategies, and goal-setting techniques. They also address issues related to motivation, perfectionism, and performance anxiety, promoting a healthy balance between academics and overall well-being.

 

Teens facing mental health challenges are at a higher risk of engaging in substance abuse as a means of self-medication or coping. Counseling plays a crucial role in identifying the underlying causes of substance abuse tendencies, addressing co-occurring mental health issues, and equipping teens with healthier coping mechanisms. It can help reduce the risk of substance abuse and promote overall well-being. 

 

Tragically, suicide is one of the leading causes of death among teenagers. Early identification and intervention through counseling can be life-saving. Counselors trained in working with teens are skilled in recognizing warning signs of suicidal ideation, providing appropriate support, safety planning, and connecting teens to additional resources such as crisis hotlines, or mental health professionals specialized in suicide prevention.

 

Adolescence is a critical period for forming relationships, both romantic and platonic. Counseling provides teens with a safe space to explore healthy relationship dynamics, consent, communication skills, conflict-resolution strategies, and boundary-setting. It promotes the development of positive and fulfilling relationships, reducing the risk of toxic or abusive relationships. In recent years, social media has become significantly more pronounced in adolescent populations. Utilizing social media is not inherently beneficial or harmful, however, it is important for teens to develop skills to manage their social media usage and understand the impacts that it may have both positively and negatively. 

 

Many teens experience challenges in managing their emotions effectively. Through evidence-based interventions like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), they provide appropriate treatment and support for teens experiencing these challenges. Counselors help teens develop strategies for emotional regulation, stress management, and coping with everyday challenges. They teach techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and problem-solving skills to help teens navigate their emotions in healthy and productive ways.

 

Counseling for teens often involves the entire family system. Counselors recognize the impact of family dynamics on the well-being of teens and work collaboratively with family members to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relationships. They provide strategies for effective parent-teen communication, boundary-setting, and understanding different perspectives within the family. Therapy for teens and their families is specialized to address their specific needs.  By providing a safe and supportive environment, counselors can effectively support the mental health and well-being of teens and their families during this crucial stage of development. Counselors specializing in teen counseling at Sunglow Counseling have a deep understanding of adolescent development, including physical, cognitive, and emotional changes. They recognize that teens are navigating identity formation, peer relationships, academic pressures, and family dynamics. This understanding allows counselors to provide age-appropriate interventions and support that align with the developmental needs of teens.

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