Introduction
Adolescence is a crucial time for developing one’s identity and forming emotional and social habits that will benefit them in the long run. These habits include eating, sleeping, regular physical exercise, and health problems. However, there has been a steady rise in mental health issues in teenagers in the last few years. It is where the professional guidance of a teenage therapist is needed.
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Who is a teenage therapist?
A teenage therapist is a professional, licensed therapist specialising in treating teenagers’ mental health issues. These issues can range from anxiety, bullying, depression, eating disorders to victims of abuse and behavioural issues. The World Health Organisation estimates that 13% of teenagers globally experience a mental health issue. A teenage therapist aims to understand how teenagers feel about their situation and equip them with tools that will help regulate their emotions, build resilience in adverse conditions and encourage them to build a network of support and love. The therapist offers a judgment-free and safe environment that allows teenagers to express themselves freely. These sessions may be one-on-one or group therapy sessions.
Looking for services related to this subject? Get in touch with these experts today!!
Experts
Kirti Bajpai
India
Psychologist
Experience: 5 years
Neelam Parwani
India
Life Coach
Experience: 5 years
Mansi Chawla
India
Psychologist
Experience: 12 years
What makes a good parent?
Parenting is fulfilling but also challenging. There is no one way to do parenting right. However, many experts emphasise that the following are good parents’ traits or characteristics.
- Being a great role model for your child is essential as children learn everything by observing their parent’s behaviour and how they interact with the outside world. For example, if you want your child to be a confident and kind person, you will have to emulate the same traits when you speak to other people.
- Letting your children go and allowing them to make mistakes. While it is natural to want to protect your child from harm and pain, it is only by allowing them to make mistakes that they can grow up to be confident individuals.
- A good parent takes out time to spend with their children. Engaging in fun family activities or simply listening to how their day at school makes your child trust and respect you.
- A fundamental trait of a good parent is to say no. While that may seem counterintuitive, and you want to give your child everything in the world, striving to keep a balance between saying yes and no can make your children more responsible and better understand what is right or wrong.
When do you need a teenage therapist?
Seeing a child go through pain can be very painful for parents themselves. However, there are situations where parents may not be the right people to help them address these painful issues. That is where a teenage therapist comes into play. These are a few situations where a teenager needs therapy.
- Anxiety.
- Behavioural problems.
- Academic pressure.
- Social media.
- Peer pressure.
- Communication skills.
- Gender identity and sexual orientation.
- Depression.
- ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
- Eating disorders.
- Grief.
- Substance abuse.
- Loneliness.
- Personality disorders.
- Relationship problems.
- Bullying.
- Suicidal thoughts or self-harm.
- Stress management.
- Trauma.
- Coping with a health condition.
- Autism.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
How parents should handle their kids, advises of teenage therapist
If you notice your teenager showing signs such as not going to school, isolating themselves, or a change in their appetite, you must see a teenage therapist immediately. Once you find the right teenage therapist, please book an appointment and talk to them first before bringing your child into the session.
Following are a few tips teenage therapists have to say to parents about managing their children.
- Explain to your child why you think it is vital for them to go to therapy. Emphasise that it is not their fault and that a change in the circumstances is causing them distress. Once your child understands and is ready, you may take them to the therapist.
- Listen to what your child has to say. Take time out of your schedule every day, talk to them and ask them about their day and what they learned. Showing your child that you care for them and always listen to them makes them trust and open up to you more.
- Be patient and understanding as they go through issues you may not understand. Instead of criticising or blaming, be patient and show your love and support in such situations.
- If you feel your child needs to go to a therapist, give them the option of choosing one from a pool of potential therapists you selected. Giving them a sense of autonomy will make them feel more confident in themselves and you.
- Spend time in activities that both parents and your teenage child enjoys, such as watching movies, going to a football game, playing video games, or reading books together.
Benefits of a teenage therapist
A teenage therapist with the correct qualifications, license, and experience can help your child in the best way possible. Following are some benefits of having an adolescent therapist.
- They understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviour and have skills that help them function healthily.
- Talking with a therapist improves teenagers’ self-esteem, self-confidence, and mood.
- They teach teenagers essential communication skills, self-awareness, assertiveness, emotional regulation, and empathy.
- Teenage therapists offer a safe place to discuss issues privately and without judgment.
Conclusion
Adolescence is a critical period of building one’s identity and learning healthy social-emotional skills that will help one lead a healthy life. Often, teenagers may struggle with anxiety, depression, bullying at school, or the pressure of performing well. Parents should listen to what their children say and offer love and support. However, if they feel the issues are beyond their expertise, they should seek the guidance of a teenage therapist with knowledge. A teenage therapist is a licensed therapist specialising in treating mental health issues experienced by teenagers. United We Care provides access to licensed mental health professionals and a safe place where teenagers can discuss their problems freely, offer them guidance, and teach them coping skills with their issues healthily.
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