It is possible that you notice your teenager sadder than normal, that he begins to have problems in school, that his grades are not the same, that he has a strange behavior ... it is also likely that you do not know if it is due to hormonal changes or if something is really happening to him. You are not sure if you might need the help of a professional.
In reality, therapy does not have to be used only for traumatic moments in life or difficult times. Going to therapy can prevent minor problems from turning into major problems.
If you think that your adolescent may benefit from talking to a therapist, you are probably correct and it will be a good idea to see one of them. In this sense, perhaps with a person outside the family nucleus your child can open up and comment on their concerns. You can talk to the pediatrician to be referred to the public health psychologist or make an appointment directly with a psychologist in a private clinic. Sometimes, a few short therapy sessions can make a big difference in your child's overall well-being.
The benefits of going to therapy
Adolescents can benefit from going to therapy even if they do not have major disorders. Meeting with a therapist to discuss a variety of topics can help your teen clear his mind. You can comment from doubts about sexuality to any other topic. If you need some reasons why your teenager can go to therapy, do not miss the following lines.
Prevent depression
Mood disorders often begin during adolescence. If left untreated, it can eventually trigger depression that can last into adult life. If your teenager has a moody mood, is almost always irritable, sad, or withdrawn, you will need to talk to your pediatrician.
An accurate diagnosis and early intervention are key components for the prevention of this disorder and also to be able to offer an effective disorder if necessary.
Anxiety disorders
Many adolescents experience anxiety disorders without even knowing what is happening to them, because no one has told them about these types of emotions before. No one has told you how anxiety can affect your life either, especially when you experience intense anxiety.
If your teen is having trouble speaking in front of his class or is constantly worrying about bad things that he thinks might happen to him, therapy can help him control these anxious feelings.
Behavior problems
Sometimes adolescents, not knowing how to control their impulses, can have problems in their behavior. Perhaps he is at a rebellious point where he answers you, speaks badly to you, does not respect the rules ... and if it is also accompanied by aggressive behavior this can be a symptom of more serious problems. A therapist can help you uncover potential mental health problems, Skill deficiencies or social problems that are causing this behavior in your adolescent.
Normally, when there is bad behavior, there are always emotions that are badly managed or that are not well understood. Once a therapist gives you enough tools to understand how you feel at any given moment and what to do according to the circumstances in each specific case.
Substance abuse
Adolescents like to try new things and have new experiences in order to establish their own identity. At times, and usually due to bad influences, teens may try and abuse drugs and alcohol. This can become quite serious problems.
Going to a therapist to advise you on what may happen to you if you abuse these substances, and to assess your situation, will help determine the most appropriate treatment in case you need it. Individual therapy, group therapy, detoxification or residential treatment may be options depending on the severity of a teenager's problems.
Stress
Unfortunately children suffer from stress from an early age. When children are young, it is important to avoid this inappropriate stress for their mental health. In the case of adolescents, they can also be stressed by life circumstances.
Whether it's from pressure to get good grades or normal concerns for his age, stress can have a serious impact on a teenager's life. Therapy can help a teenager learn skills to manage stress successfully, and that is something that will serve them throughout their lives.
Problems in high school
Bullying, relational problems, problems with teachers are just a few examples of the problems that a teenager can experience in high school. Teens are often unsure where to turn for help when this happens to them.
In this case, Therapy can support teens and give them skills that will help them navigate successfully through high school.
Trouble with the law
There are teenagers who try to test not only limits at home, but also social limits. In this sense, they can steal, cause street fights, drink or smoke as minors ... These are some examples of why teens can get in trouble with the law.
When this occurs, therapy is necessary for a teenager to learn to make better and healthier decisions for his life and thus prevent legal and social problems.
Low self-esteem
Most teens tend to have self-confidence issues at some point or another. Some experience serious self-esteem problems that can seriously affect their quality of life and even their mental and emotional health.
When these problems go untreated, teens are at higher risk for problems like substance abuse and academic failure. Therapy can help increase a teenager's self-esteem and improve his personal and social situation.
If you have any type of trauma
Whether it's a near-death experience, a sexual assault, or any other reason that has caused you trauma, it can have a serious impact on a teenager's life. Therapy can increase stamina and reduce the impact of the negative event on your life.
Early intervention by a good professional can be key to helping an adolescent recover from traumatic circumstances.