Adolescent counseling can help teens and young adults understand and manage their thoughts and behaviors as they transition into adulthood. This counseling can benefit people who may feel anxious or overwhelmed by the changes occurring in their life. Finding and working with a counselor can help guide adolescents through this transition and find ways to help them manage their moods and behaviors.
How To Know if a Child Can Benefit From Adolescent Counseling
Children may struggle to understand and handle the transitions that occur during the stages of adolescence. Those who display signs of negative behavioral patterns can benefit from speaking with a counselor who can provide resources for handling their mental health. Children or teens who exhibit one or more of the following behaviors and signs may benefit from working with a counselor:
- Constant feelings of sadness, worry, anxiety, and fear.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Extreme indecisiveness.
- A sudden drop in academic or athletic performance.
- Talk of self-harm or suicide.
- Substance abuse.
- Feelings of grief.
- Isolating from friends or family.
- Extreme and disproportionate anger.
- Changes in eating and sleeping habits.
- Extreme mood swings.
Read about other indicators and factors of adolescent mental health challenges to make an informed decision about seeking adolescent counseling. Maintaining open communication to assess and understand a child’s worries and behaviors can help make them more comfortable with the idea of counseling. Consider keeping them informed and allowing them to provide input about counseling decisions and processes when possible, which can help ensure that they feel secure with their counselor.
How To Get in Touch With a Counselor
Parents who feel that their child can benefit from working with a counselor can take many steps to find a professional who meets their needs. Parents may consider talking to their child’s pediatrician, who can offer a referral or suggestion for specific practices, counselors, or methods that align with their values. Identifying the causes of a child’s struggles also can help when identifying and researching counselors. Parents can consider having their child take a mental health assessment to evaluate factors contributing to their struggles. Adolescents who struggle in one area may benefit from a specialist in that area.
After finding a therapist or counselor who can address the child’s needs, make an appointment and encourage the child to express their feelings to the counselor. Evaluate the child’s comfort and feelings about working with the counselor after the first few sessions to ensure they are a good fit and create a welcoming environment. Patients and parents may also consider meeting with multiple counselors to evaluate each professional’s ability to provide resources and comfort for the patient.
Contact the team at Horizon Counseling Services for any further questions, concerns, and advice or to learn about their practices. Noticing and addressing signs of adolescent mental health struggles can be the first step in providing a child with the help they need to manage and understand the changes and environments present in their lives.
