Teen Issues

https://www.zenzonehealth.com/teen/adolescents

I have worked with teens as a teacher, camp counselor, tutor, and facilitator. My many years of working with teens has given me key insights into youth development and life transitions. I value engaging young people in claiming their identities and building independence, key parts of adolescence.

I have been working with adolescents since 2012. In The Child Mind Institute’s recent 2021 report: it was found that “55% of children felt more “sad, depressed or unhappy,” versus 25% of adults.” Additionally, “teens surveyed said that the pandemic had impacted their mental health in some way, with 37% saying it had made their mental health worse.” “But there is good news, too: 42% of teens overall say that the pandemic has increased the number of conversations they have around mental health.”

Colleagues joke about me being able to "speak teen". We our work together discussing the parameters of their right to privacy and securing a trusting relationship. Adolescence is a complicated stage of life; teens begin to distinguish themselves and discover who they are and want to be. It's also a period of great uncertainty and turbulence, where teens are navigating increased responsibility & agency. I enjoy being here to support them through this challenging time.

Adolescence is such a time of transition! For many, this transition results in anxiety, questioning of identity, and maybe a few mistakes. I have years of expertise helping teens to turn this time into an exciting exploration and expression of who they are becoming. Whether there have been concerns about drugs or alcohol use, sexual experimentation or pregnancy, or skipping school, I am confident that I can help both your teen, and yes, you, too, moms and dads!

While I work with adults, I also work with children from ages 9 and on.

I have worked primarily with young people as well as adults. Adolescents struggle with many of the same issues as adults as well as some that are specific to their population.

Brain development, peer and relationship issues, sexuality, independence seeking and family conflict, impacts of social media, school, depression, lack of motivation, anxiety, achievement and perfectionism

I have specialized training and experience in working with youth. I started my career in School Counseling and have worked in both a middle school and high school setting. I am well versed in the issues facing youth today.

Help teens figure out the best way to identify and express how they are feeling. Share better communication techniques so teens and their families can begin to understand each other honestly. Allow teens to have a space to share their thoughts without being judged.

Adolescents face many challenges, as their bodies and minds transition into young adulthood. The pressures and challenges that today's teens face are complex, ever-present, and more intense than ever before. With social media now being an integral part of daily life, I work to support teens to identify and uphold healthy boundaries and realistic expectations as they navigate social pressures.

The stage of adolescence is more challenging than ever, from social media to academic competition to changes in society. It makes sense to get help from a therapist when your tween or teen is in crisis. I work from the approach that teens and families are affected by typical developmental stages in life and when given the tools and knowledge to understand one another, can experience a deeper sense of connection and enjoyment. When someone within the family is hurting, everyone hurts.

The intensity of navigating life during the teen & young adult years can overwhelm a highly sensitive young person's ability to manage and cope. Mood support and learning effective stress coping skills and positive life-management techniques can make an incredibly stressful time period much easier and for a young person.

Relationships Bullying Self-Esteem Trauma Anxiety Depression ADHD Developmental Concerns Peer Relationships

Adolescence and early adulthood are a critical point of development where we discover who we are in the world, where we fit within our families of origin, culture, social systems, relationships- often a major period of transition. Through compassionate exploration of our past and curiosity about our future, we will navigate this transitional period with a spirit of hope, trust in our own wisdom, and a sense of relational support through the therapeutic alliance.

Not only did I struggle at a teenager growing up here in the USA, but I have 3 years experience working with adolescents and their parents to help young people feel more confident about themselves, improve performance levels at school, and develop meaningful goals. Working with adolescents is one of my favorite groups of people to work with.

ADHD Anger Anxiety Conflict Decision Making Depression Grief Impulsivity Motivation Parenting/Discipline Self-Esteem Stress

I work with adolescent and preadolescents (11+) on the particular struggles related to social, hormonal, and environmental changes during that challenging period of life. I have particular experience and expertise working with adolescents with self-injurous behaviors.