Adolescents
Adolescence is a really challenging life stage, and with all the pressures and demands this day and age places on teens, more and more are struggling with behavioural difficulties. Over the past few years we have seen an enormous rise in the numbers of teenagers presenting with mental health difficulties, particularly anxiety disorders and self-harm. With the NHS being so overwhelmed by the demand, many young people are not getting the help they need before things escalate really badly. What we know about working with young people is that the earlier the intervention, the better the long term outcome.
Modern day society is one where teenagers are influenced by more cumulative factors than we have ever seen before. Parents that are busier and more stressed than ever before, social media influences, peer pressure, technology, academic pressures where expectations surpass previous curriculums, and all of the normal challenges that come with the neurological and hormonal changes that take place. All of these changes also mean that teenagers tend to be more open to changing some of their ways of thinking and patterns of interaction, because they are not as embedded as adults’ yet. What I love about working with young people is that it is a stage of life where the foundations of self-esteem is being formed.
What is really important to remember with young people in particular is that all behaviour is communication. Teenagers often don’t have the words to express how they feel or what they are struggling with, but they will show us in their behaviour. Often when a teenager gets labelled as rude, disrespectful, manipulative etc, underneath the surface is a young person struggling to articulate and express themselves more appropriately. Therapy can help to understand what is driving the behaviour of the young person and work to give them some alternate ways of channeling those difficult emotions.
Expe
Anxiety disorders
Panic attacks
Low self-esteem
Depression
Friendship issues
School refusal
Bullying
Self-harm
Eating disorders
Behavioural difficulties
Emotional difficulties
Abusive relationships
Exam related stress
Conflict with parents or siblings
Divorce
Transitioning to college/uni