Teen Therapy Palatine, IL

Teen Therapy Palatine, IL

If you are looking for help for your teenager, you should consider teen therapy in Palatine, IL. The teen years can be a difficult time. In today’s society, there are even more issues that teens have to deal with compared to what their parents or grandparents faced decades ago. But sometimes, teens develop issues that may indicate that teen therapy in Palatine, Illinois may be helpful.

Some of these issues include:

• Anxiety
• Behavioral problems
• Depression
• Emotional problems
• Mental health issues
• Relationship problems
• Stress
• Substance abuse problems
• Traumatic experiences

So, how do parents distinguish between what may be just teen angst their child is dealing with or if there are more serious issues that can indicate Palatine IL therapy should be considered? The following are some warning signs to watch for. For more detailed information about your own family, contact Lotus Wellness Center to schedule a consultation.

Warning Signs

If you suspect that your teen may be having difficulties, the first place where warning signs can pop up in their daily lives. Ask yourself how your teen is doing in school, with grades and any extracurricular activities. Does your teen have any friends? Do they share with you what is going on with their life? If there are any changes in your teen’s behaviors, consider discussing this with their doctor. You can also consult with a counselor who specializes in teen therapy in Palatine, IL.

There are other signs that are clear indicators that your teen is having issues that should be addressed by a mental health professional as soon as possible:

• Change in friends
• Change in the types of activities they are involved or participate in
• Drastic changes in behavior or mood
• Drug or alcohol use
• Eating problems (i.e. overeating or not eating)
• Failing grades in school
• Inappropriate anger
• Increase in defiance against parental or school rules
• Participating in any illegal activities
• Running away from home
• Self-harm (i.e. cutting)
• Sexual acting out
• Signs of depression

How We Can Help

When you believe that teen therapy Palatine, IL offers is right for your teenager, you know you can turn to the trusted therapists at Lotus Wellness Center for help. We understand that being a teenager can come with many unique challenges and that access to new technology can make these challenges even harder for our teenagers. While it can be easy to want to know every aspect of your child’s life (and want to help them), it is also important to know that they may be more comfortable sharing their worries, stresses, and anxieties with someone else. This is how our Palatine, Illinois teen therapy can help. If you would like to learn more about the therapy we offer and how we can help your child, please schedule an appointment with us today.

Helping Teens Navigate School Troubles

Being a teenager is hard in any era, and countless media reports remind us that today’s adolescents report higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression compared to prior generations. School-related concerns account for many teens’ emotional challenges. Many teens’ emotional challenges are a result of what they experience at school. Seeking teen therapy in Palatine, IL can help your child navigate troubles at school and reduce the risk of behavioral concerns and learning disruptions.

Learning Difficulties

If you suspect that your child may suffer from a learning disability, your school district can help secure proper testing and educational resources following a diagnosis. But what about emotional resources? When teens are affected by learning disorders such as ADHD or dyslexia, their struggles can impact their self-image. Working with a qualified therapist at Lotus Wellness Center can help teens understand that they have support, learn to increase their confidence in the classroom and in social settings, and identify and manage triggers that disrupt learning.

Bullying

Bullying can leave teens feeling ashamed, isolated, and even afraid to attend school. While most schools have anti-bullying programs, sometimes these are inadequate at the individual level. Beginning teen therapy in Palatine, IL can help your child cope with bullying trauma and control his or her own reactions to the bullying. Your teen’s therapist will provide an individualized approach that your child can use to minimize any anxiety, depression, or symptoms of PTSD resulting from the bullying.

Pressure to Succeed

When dealing with grades, physical appearance, college admissions, sports/extracurriculars, or relationships, today’s teens feel an enormous amount of pressure to not only be successful but to be visibly successful. Many adolescents feel like they are in constant competition not only with their peers at their school and in the community but also with millions of social media users. This can lead to anxiety, perfectionism, and burnout. The therapists at Lotus Wellness Center have experience helping teens handle the unique pressures they face and empowering them to find joy in seizing opportunities that come their way.

School change

When a parent must relocate due to a job, divorce, or caretaking duties, teens can struggle to adjust. Teen therapy in Palatine, IL can support your child with processing the grief they are likely to feel after leaving familiar friends and surroundings behind. A therapist can also offer strategies for establishing social connections and adjusting to the culture at their new school.

3 Important Things Therapy Can Offer Teens

The teenage years are well known as some of the most challenging and awkward years of a person’s life. Your teen is likely experiencing increased stress for an overwhelming variety of reasons and may not have a healthy or effective way to cope with that added stress. By seeking out teen therapy in Palatine, IL, you are offering your child some essential resources that can help them overcome whatever issues they are facing. Here are three important things that teen therapy can do for your child.

1. Give Them Territory

Teenagers exist in a world that is governed by others, and they are rarely able to exhibit any control over their environment, with the possible exception of a private room at home. it’s no wonder that teens often choose to spend a lot of time in their bedrooms; it’s a safe and secure space that belongs wholly to them. Lotus Wellness Center can become an additional piece of territory for your child, where they can feel comfortable enough to work through their mental and emotional challenges.

2. Give Them a Platform

Personal expression is an important part of growing up and developing as individuals. For teenagers, their self-expression is often performative and tends to be subject to scrutiny, judgment, and even criticism from their parents, teachers, and peers. It is important for your child to have a platform to be heard, and teen therapy in Palatine, IL, can give them the opportunity to be listened to without the fear of judgment that might impede their ability to talk about things openly and honestly.

3. Give Them an Ally

As much as you try to show your teen that you are in their corner and on their side, they may still reject your help or shut you out. Teenagers can often see their parents as a source of stress if they are concerned about disappointing their parents or not living up to perceived expectations. A licensed counselor is a neutral party and can serve as a trusted ally who doesn’t provoke the feelings or concerns that may make it difficult for teenagers to confide in their families.

Whether your child is experiencing depression and anxiety or just added stress, anger, or unhappiness, teen therapy in Palatine, IL, at Lotus Wellness Center can offer the support your teen may need. The trained staff can help your child work through emotional or mental struggles.

FAQ on Teen Therapy

Below, we have a list of frequently asked questions that our patients and their parents would like to know. If you have any additional questions about Palatine, Illinois teen therapy, please do not hesitate to ask.

I’m nervous about placing my child in therapy. Is there a risk to therapy?

We know that therapy, while designed to be a safe, inclusive, and helpful space, can actually be uncomfortable for many teenagers. Some teenagers may feel that it is unnecessary, others may feel that it is a joke, and still, others may be embarrassed if their friends find out. All of these emotions are valid, and we want your child to know that. We are here to listen to your teenager and learn about what is causing them to feel emotions of frustration, anger, fear, or helplessness. It is important to know that putting your teenager in therapy does not always yield the results that parents are looking for.

How many sessions should I expect my child to have?

We cannot guarantee a certain number of therapy sessions because each person who comes to us is completely unique. Depending on how your child wants to pursue teen therapy in Palatine, Illinois, they may feel comfortable with a more structured plan for conducting sessions or they may need a long-term option for therapy.

I want to know what’s going on in my teenager’s life. Can we talk about it after their sessions?

We find that it is incredibly important to keep the information confidential regarding our Palatine teen therapy sessions. Often, your teenager wants a safe place where they can feel heard and understood. If we discuss our therapy sessions with parents, they would not have this confidence. That said, under certain laws we are required to report when we strongly believe that a person is a danger to themselves or others. If this is the case, we will notify parents immediately.

How To Be Supportive of Your Child in Teen Therapy

More and more teens are struggling with mental health, and your child could be one of them. It may be difficult to discuss personal problems with your children, but they may benefit from teen therapy in Palatine, IL. Here’s how you can be supportive of your teen in therapy at Lotus Wellness Center.

Explain Why You Think Therapy Is Appropriate

Maybe your teen asked to see a therapist, or maybe you think they should speak to someone. Either way, it’s a good idea to have a conversation about why you think therapy is appropriate for them right now. This can be a difficult conversation to have with a child, but a teen is much more likely to understand your reasons and the potential benefits. Explain that this is not a punishment, but that you’ve noticed certain symptoms and only want them to get the help they need. Also emphasize that teen therapy in Palatine, IL is an opportunity for them to express their feelings in a safe place. 

Listen on Their Terms

It may be tempting to pester them with questions once therapy starts, but this can feel invasive when your child is being open with a therapist. Be willing to listen, and show your interest in their life and wellbeing, but do not push them to discuss things they don’t want to talk about. Many symptoms of mental health issues can be embarrassing. They likely don’t have an explanation as to why they can’t clean their room or shower regularly. Gentle encouragement is nice, but regularly pointing out things they’re struggling with can be more painful than anything else. 

Respect Their Privacy 

If you’re like most parents, you’ll probably want to know what’s going on in therapy, but it’s not a bad thing for you to not know all the details. In fact, having a safe space to discuss things while knowing that parents won’t hear about it later can be extremely beneficial for teens working through mental health issues. Some therapists will encourage confidentiality for this reason, though exceptions like teens harming themselves or others will always exist. You should also consider respecting your teen’s privacy in other areas. For example, reading their texts or other messages could result in severe trust issues that they’ll also need to work on in therapy.

Teen therapy in Palatine, IL can be beneficial for a lot of issues that teens face. Lotus Wellness Center can offer a calm, safe environment that encourages teens to develop healthy coping strategies and treatment options for a happier, healthier lifestyle.

Arranging for Palatine, IL Teen Therapy

If you have decided that your teen could benefit from counseling, speak to your teen’s doctor about doing an assessment of your child. Your doctor can also provide other resources, as well.

No matter what the situation, it is important for parents to not feel guilty or blame themselves for their teen’s issues. It is not uncommon for parents to blame themselves or feel guilty about not recognizing any warning signs your teen may have exhibited. But it is critical to your teen’s healing process that parents not let these feelings hinder them in getting their child the help they need.

If you are concerned about your teen and think that counseling can help, contact Lotus Wellness Center to schedule a consultation with one of our counselors who specialize in teen therapy Palatine, IL families recommend.