Feeling something is out of place or unsure about yourself is common for adolescents. Your life is moving forward at light speed. Fears about your future are on your mind. Adolescence is often a challenging time for teens and their caregivers. This period of time can foster moments of conflicts between adolescents, parents, teachers, caregivers, or other authority figures.
 

For teens, the journey of self-exploration, "finding your tribe" and creating your own path can feel like a never ending puzzle. Managing the stress that comes with the pressure of having to simultaneously deal with body changes, expectations, and navigating social issues can feel exhausting.
 

Naturally, this phase of life is often difficult because it is not based on past experiences and the constant shift in emotion makes this time challenging to navigate. Emotions such as loneliness, sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, isolation, and depression aren't given the opportunity to mature. For caregivers who only want the best for their teens, even while they create their unique identity and path forward, this period of time can be daunting because the evolution of the teen going through it is unknown. You may wrestle with how to make sense of your teen no longer being around or dealing with peer relationships, frequent conflict relationships, isolation, the need to be left alone, sleeping difficulties, academic difficulties, and frequent interpersonal difficulties.
 

TCFTI has first hand experience working with teens to learn about their emotions and ways to manage them while also increasing their sense of self in relation to themselves and to others.

Here are some key areas where we can make a difference for teens.
Provide strategies to reduce anxiety, stress, depression, hopelessness, or self-doubt

•  Motivate teens to find safe, healthy coping skills to replace unhealthy coping skills such as self-harm behaviors, and sexual acting out

• Assist teens to improve self-esteem and gain a sense of belonging, competence and responsibility 

• Guide teens in learning how to manage anger or control impulsive behavior

• Work with teens to learn how to cope with traumatic events such as death of a loved one or physical/sexual abuse

• Help teens learn to express themselves appropriately and to improve communication

• Support teens in learning how to manage difficult changes in the family or community

• Provide teens with renewed hope and optimism

With so many temptations and choices, a teen can benefit from help to sort through feelings, values, and goals with guidance from a compassionate and knowledgeable therapist.