Teenage years are one of the most challenging times for teens and their parents. Teenagers will begin facing lots of pressure that they react to in various ways. They might need to be counseled so that they are able to cope with various problems and take the right approach to handling them. Parents must be on the lookout and know signs that their kids need help. In considering teen counseling Santa Rosa CA parents need to know what is involved.
There are a number of instances in which counseling is needed. Divorce or separation can weigh down on teens in a serious way and they will need to be talked to. They are likely to struggle with challenges that are related to not having both parents staying together. They my develop emotions like guilt, regret or anger. Bereavement is also serious and might leave teenagers traumatized. This is more so if the person was close to them.
Bullying can be a source of trauma to teens and is especially serious because it might go unnoticed. If parents suspect their teen kids are getting bullied, they will need to talk to them about it and if possible, contact their school. Through counseling, teens will be able to regain self-esteem. Teenagers can also be stressed in school because of exams and general academic life. Most of them are worried about the consequences of not doing well.
Some struggles faced by teenagers are normal since they are part and parcel of their growth. They might be going through identity change, dealing with their peers or developing interests. A parent is supposed to be very patient when dealing with them at such moments. Patience is one of the best ways to make them open up and talk freely.
There are useful tips that helps when counseling teens. One of the main things one should note is that counselors need to listen and reflect. In many cases when one is approached by a teen, they at once feel they have words of wisdom that they need to impart. This can be counterproductive. You need to carefully listen to them as they tell you what the problem is. This is followed by reflection before coming up with what you think is the best way out.
Teens are not supposed to be judged as they are counseled. They are able to tell whenever one is looking down upon them or judging them. Should they have the feeling that they are being judged, they are likely to develop a sense of fear and will not be free anymore. They always need to be assured.
Counselors should not over-identify. One of the mistakes people make is trying to match their experience as a way of gaining credibility. This will probably jeopardize the counseling. If you have a similar experience, they should not know the whole story. It just suffices to tell them you have had a similar experience.
Small talk can be of a lot of help. It will be important to find little stuff to talk to teens about. It might be about their interests, schedules or what is going on in their lives at the time. The talk instills a sense of comfort and ease in them.
There are a number of instances in which counseling is needed. Divorce or separation can weigh down on teens in a serious way and they will need to be talked to. They are likely to struggle with challenges that are related to not having both parents staying together. They my develop emotions like guilt, regret or anger. Bereavement is also serious and might leave teenagers traumatized. This is more so if the person was close to them.
Bullying can be a source of trauma to teens and is especially serious because it might go unnoticed. If parents suspect their teen kids are getting bullied, they will need to talk to them about it and if possible, contact their school. Through counseling, teens will be able to regain self-esteem. Teenagers can also be stressed in school because of exams and general academic life. Most of them are worried about the consequences of not doing well.
Some struggles faced by teenagers are normal since they are part and parcel of their growth. They might be going through identity change, dealing with their peers or developing interests. A parent is supposed to be very patient when dealing with them at such moments. Patience is one of the best ways to make them open up and talk freely.
There are useful tips that helps when counseling teens. One of the main things one should note is that counselors need to listen and reflect. In many cases when one is approached by a teen, they at once feel they have words of wisdom that they need to impart. This can be counterproductive. You need to carefully listen to them as they tell you what the problem is. This is followed by reflection before coming up with what you think is the best way out.
Teens are not supposed to be judged as they are counseled. They are able to tell whenever one is looking down upon them or judging them. Should they have the feeling that they are being judged, they are likely to develop a sense of fear and will not be free anymore. They always need to be assured.
Counselors should not over-identify. One of the mistakes people make is trying to match their experience as a way of gaining credibility. This will probably jeopardize the counseling. If you have a similar experience, they should not know the whole story. It just suffices to tell them you have had a similar experience.
Small talk can be of a lot of help. It will be important to find little stuff to talk to teens about. It might be about their interests, schedules or what is going on in their lives at the time. The talk instills a sense of comfort and ease in them.
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You can get valuable tips on how to select a teen counseling Santa Rosa CA professional and more information about an experienced counselor at http://www.sonomacountycounseling.com/teens now.
