Client Portal Contact Us

Teens

Teen Counseling Services

Teens face many unique challenges in today’s world.

By definition, teenagers are in a period of transition from childhood to adulthood.  Developing a healthy, positive identity and adapting helpful life skills is sometimes confusing and frustrating.  Like many parents, if you have found yourself struggling with your teen, having concerns or questions, you can benefit from talking with a knowledgeable Journeys professional for additional assessment and intervention.

Do you find yourself saying yes to the following questions?

  • Has your teen been exposed to trauma or abuse in some form?
  • Has there been a major family change (divorce, death, marriage)?
  • Does your teen talk back or become easily angered?
  • Does your teen appear shut down emotionally or withdrawn?
  • Is your teen constantly pushing the boundaries you have set?
  • Do you suspect your teen is using alcohol or drugs?
  • Are other people involved with your teen (school or church leaders) concerned about his/her behavior?

Teen Sexuality:

Sexual issues 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. If you have concerns about your child’s safety, sexuality, or exposure to harming behaviors, you are definitely not alone. Many teens struggle in these areas.

If you answer yes to any of the questions below, consider professional support to get the conversation going between you and your teen.

  • Have you found inappropriate content on your teen’s phone, computer, or other device?
  • Do you have concerns about your teen’s sexual behavior?
  • Is your teen questioning his or her sexual identity?

Please note that Journeys does not provide any sort of conversion therapy.

The experienced Journeys staff is equipped to work with general teen issues and are connected to appropriate referral sources for more specialized care such as substance abuse and eating disorders.


The Journeys staff is here to help

Most people can agree that being a teen in today’s climate is not easy.  Finding a safe and understanding place to work through and better understand issues that may arise can be very valuable to a teen and his/her family.  The counselors at Journeys specialize in gaining safe and trusting relationships with adolescents through conversations about sports, art, popular culture, or other interests your teen may have.  Often, a relationship with a counselor is an important first step in making change.

Many teens are resistant to therapy and believe that their parents are the “bad guys”.  When communication breaks down, parents can feel like giving up on their teen.  Counseling can help families break this stalemate by improving communication, setting realistic expectations, and increasing emotional connection.

Therapy for teens and their families does work. At Journeys, we have witnessed countless teens grow in ways that seemed impossible at the beginning of treatment.  If you are struggling with your teen, we encourage you to call a Journeys counselor.

You May Have Some Concerns, Such As…

“My teen refuses to see a therapist.”

First, try not to be discouraged by your teen’s resistance, it is actually fairly normal. The solution is finding the right therapist, one that is a good personality match and is trained in working with teens. This will significantly reduce resistance to therapy. We encourage taking a non-negotiable stance with your teen by telling them they have to give counseling a try, and then allowing them the freedom to choose the process by giving them the opportunity to pick the therapist. Often times by the end of the initial session, most of the resistance is dissolved. Teens quickly see for themselves that the therapist is an ally, not an opponent.

“I think counseling would be helpful, but I’m not sure my teen will cooperate. I’m not sure it’s worth the time and money.”

Many parents are concerned that because their teen is ‘forced’ to do therapy, that not much will come out of the process because the teen is ‘unwilling to cooperate’. Surprisingly, this is rarely the case. Most teens are resistant at first, but quickly become responsive to the therapist and treatment method when matched properly with a well-trained professional. Counseling is always an investment in your teen’s and family’s future. Gaining insight, skills, and catching problems early on help to ensure greater quality of relationships within the family, less problems at school and work, and overall enhanced quality of life for your teen in their final years of development. Resolving your teen’s issue can help restore unity within the family, school and community, often improving the well-being of everyone involved. While teens can sometimes put up a strong fight when offered help, this season of their life is an excellent opportunity to use your parental influence for good in their lives by getting them professional support as needed. The long-term payoff is well worth the investment.

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.

Meet Our Team Speak to our client coordinator