How do you know when it’s time to take your teen to a therapist?
When teenagers get that vacant, distant, or closed-off look in their eyes, something’s going on. They are clearly struggling inside, and often have no idea how to resolve their painful feelings. This may lead to teens turning to acting out–or imploding behaviors.
This is not to be confused with normal phase of adolescent angst, and unfortunately, ignoring it will not make it go away. This is a time that you want to use your relationship with your teen, both their openness and willingness to interact with you, as well as their trust and feelings of safety with you, to assess how balanced they are feeling inside.
Many times, adolescents may attempt to escape their painful feelings through drugs, self-injurious behavior, self-soothing through food or unhealthy relationships, and risk-taking behavior. Please be aware that these are all cries for help. Your teen is sinking under the weight of their inner turmoil from academic challenges, social challenges, parent child-challenges, or overwhelming anxiety and/or depression.
In this vulnerable time, you teen desperately needs your help. They literally need you to intervene, and assist them in finding solutions to the challenges they are facing. Working together, I help can put you on the path towards healing your child’s pain. Sometimes, a more thorough psychological testing may be recommended in order to uncover any learning differences, developmental delays, or chemical imbalances, such that I may provide you with a more comprehensive treatment plan.
I offer a FREE Initial Parent Consultation to confirm that I am a good match for your family. During this time, I will do a thorough assessment of the situation to give you my most helpful recommendations. You will get an immediate and direct experience of the value I provide.
Menu of Services Offered:
- Free Initial Consultation >
- Effective Parenting Classes >
- Adolescent Counseling 11-18 >
- Social Skills Assessment & Coaching >
- Young Adult Life Skills Coaching 19-24 >
Taking the Trouble out of the Teen Years
www.sandradupont.com
Providing service for: Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Culver City, Los Angeles, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Venice, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, and Topanga Canyon.