Teen Depression
TEEN COUNSELING SERVICES
Depression and self-harm are not always openly discussed in homes or communities, and it may be difficult to discern how to best interact with your teen on these important topics. Raising a teen that is experiencing depression and self-harming can be scary, confusing, and a strenuous emotional experience for the parents and family that love them. If you have concerns about your child’s safety, or exposure to self-harming behaviors, know that you are not alone. Many teens struggle in these areas. If you are concerned about your child’s safety or think they may have an issue with self-harm, consider professional support to get the conversation going between you and your teen. Taking the steps to get them the help and support they need is often critical to catching the issue as early as possible.
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR TEENS SAFETY OR THINK THEY MAY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH SELF-HARM?
Has there been a drop in your teen’s grades?
Does your teen demonstrate a loss of interest in things he/she used to be interested in?
Have you recently discovered that your teen is cutting or engaging in other self-harming behaviors?
Has your teen been more moody, withdrawn, or agitated?
Does your child seem to carry a lot of shame or be hard on himself emotionally?
Is your child experiencing bouts of helplessness, hopelessness, or negativity?
Are there activities and interests your child has participated in that he no longer seems to enjoy?
YOU AND YOUR TEEN ARE NOT ALONE
Depression in adolescence can occur in even the healthiest of families. A child’s temperament, relationship dynamics, or life transitions can culminate in ways that contribute to a pervasive sense of sadness and negativity. Depression in adolescence can have a variety of factors ranging from lack of sleep to trauma and therefore we offer many effective treatment methods when assessed properly.
Self-harm in the teen years is becoming increasingly prevalent. Typically when a teen is self-harming, there are underlying issues that need to be addressed. Journeys counselors are specifically trained in counseling for teens and can address both the urge to self-harm and other areas of life the teen may be struggling with. This integrated approach to self-harm is especially helpful for teens as they gain coping strategies that will last a lifetime. Journeys also maintains strong partnerships with local inpatient and intensive outpatient programs should your teen need a higher level of care.
If you have concerns about your teen’s safety, call one of our experienced counselors to consult. Catching and treating self-harming behaviors and related underlying concerns of depression early can help your teen launch into a healthy and productive adult life.
COUNSELING CAN OFFER ASSISTANCE AND RELIEF
The professionals at Journeys desire to walk with your family through this difficult season of depression. We would like to help your teen rediscover hope and re-engage in life, while also empowering your teen toward lasting gains. This may include:
Identifying losses that have not been fully grieved
Recognizing, expressing, and experiencing validation for a variety of emotions
Decreasing shame (“I’m bad.” or “Something is wrong with me.”)
Increasing acceptance (“I have value.” and “I’m going through something difficult but there is hope.”)
Improving interpersonal relationships
Developing a posture of thankfulness
Rediscovering the power of play
Counseling will help with understanding the root of the depression, while adding positive experiences to your child’s life. We use a variety of ways to connect with teens through music, art, talking, journaling, and other forms of healthy self-expression. Our therapists work to partner with each client to collaboratively craft a plan to identify the issues, learn to express feelings in healthy ways, establish coping skills, and develop a healthy view of self. This process is unique to each individual client, but when appropriate and beneficial, Journeys therapists may work with other members of the family in conjunction with the teen’s treatment.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT YOU MAY HAVE SOME CONCERNS, SUCH AS…
“I’m afraid that a depression diagnosis will mean that my child will have to take anti-depressant medication.”
We know that coming to counseling might seem overwhelming at first. We are here to answer any questions and concerns you might have about the treatment process, implications, or simply to address many common misconceptions about diagnoses, medication, and counseling. Rest assured, not all individuals diagnosed with depression take medications. While it is an option available in the treatment of depression, there are many other therapeutic, naturopathic, and environmental options as well. If therapy progress is limited due to the severity of the depression, the staff at Journeys can refer you to trusted psychiatrists who are equipped to discuss the benefits and concerns related to anti-depressants. Our desire is to always empower you with the information you need to make healthy decisions for you and your family.
CONTACT A JOURNEYS THERAPIST
We generally recommend scheduling a specialized assessment with a trusted Journeys counselor to evaluate what your specific needs are, as well as determining best the options for treatment and more precise answers to the questions you may have about the process. The Journeys team strives to provide you with the best fit professionally, and will happily direct you to the counselor with the best personality, expertise and approach for your family.
Check out our team to connect with a therapist that’s right for your situation or contact our client coordinator with any questions, concerns or to be matched with a therapist that is best suited for you and your family’s needs.
