How Parents Can Tell If Their Adolescent Needs Professional Counseling

Adolescence is often a stage of confusion and upheaval — both for the young person and for their parents. Due to the physical, emotional, and intellectual changes that young people undergo during this transitional period, it's hardly surprising. Transitioning from childhood to adulthood isn't easy for most people, and the complexity of modern life certainly seems to complicate the process. With the advent of the Information Age, a tremendous amount of often conflicting news, opinions and ideas bombard young minds. Dangerous behaviors and violent acts are frequently glamorized by the media. Many parents are concerned about how easy it is for their kids to come in contact with drugs, alcohol and other harmful situations and problems.

It is becoming increasingly common to hear about cases of adolescent depression, drug or alcohol dependency, and other mental health issues in both teenagers and pre-teens. At an age where independence is greatly sought after, yet coping skills and judgment are still developing, it can be challenging for parents to determine when behaviors for this life stage are normal, or when they may require the guidance of a mental health professional to resolve potentially serious issues. Often, a major life event can be a trigger for such issues.

These events can include the death of a loved one, divorce, problems in friendships or romantic relationships, serious injury to the adolescent themselves or a family member or friend, or a national tragedy.

It is crucial for parents to pay attention to their child's behavior, particularly during and after these sorts of events, and make note of any marked changes. Here are a few behaviors that may indicate a need to talk to a counselor:1. An increase in secrecy and defensiveness. While it is common for kids of this age to desire additional privacy, it may warrant concern if the adolescent suddenly begins to lock his or her bedroom door and takes more time than expected to answer the door when the parent knocks.
2. Taking money from a parent's purse or wallet without asking. While stealing itself is a major issue, the need for additional money could also point to a drug habit or other problem.
3. Unexpected or extreme mood swings, moving from elation to outbursts of anger that are disproportional to whatever triggered the anger.
4. Unexplained cuts on his or her body.
5. Open defiance toward parents or other authority figures, routinely missing curfew, chronic lateness or habitual lying about plans and whereabouts.
6. A sudden change in friends, especially if the child doesn't bring new friends home so the parents can meet them. Coinciding changes in behavior, attitude and clothing preferences are additional reason for concern. 7. A lack of interest in things the teen or pre-teen used to enjoy, or a significant drop in grades.

These aren't the only warning signs, but they're a good starting place. Every child is different, and parents know their children better than anyone else. Some of these behaviors may be more “normal” for a given teen than others; the most important thing is for parents to remain sensitive to their adolescents' immediate worlds and be alert to any behavior changes.

The bottom line is that parents should trust their gut and consult with a psychologist or other qualified mental health professional if they suspect a serious problem. Fostering good communication is crucial to maintaining a healthy relationship at any age. A professional counselor can help both parents and adolescents in enhancing communication skills and strengthening family bonds during this often difficult phase.
If you live in the South Orange County area and are worried about your teen or pre-teen's behavior, contact Professional Psychology .

They provide interactive, solution-based therapy with compassion and understanding, specializing in family and parenting issues as well as adolescent concerns. This article powered by SEO
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