Teenagers have body image issues that they don’t outright talk about with parents
Adolescents and teenagers can develop body image issues and criticize themselves. However, when the inner critic turns into an eating disorder, it can be scary. Sometimes, teens restrict and purge or over exercise as a cry for help. So, if you notice your daughter or son is over exercising, I recommend starting with validation. For instance, you can recognize how hard being an adolescent is for them. As well, teenagers don’t want to be told, “You look great.” That can come off as judgement and as a compliment. Instead, focus on saying, “It is always okay to cry when you are sad.” Or, “It is so hard to be bullied. Your feelings are important to me. Want to talk?” Inside, your teenager with body image issues feels they are too fat or ugly, so validation is better than complimenting. At Wisdom Within Counseling, our team specializes in adolescent and teen therapy in Old Saybrook, Ct.
To begin in specialized adolescent and teen therapy in Old Saybrook, Ct, book a phone consult using the button below.
Does your teenager experience social withdrawal and say, “I don’t want to talk?”
Socially, teenagers are changing friend groups. However, rejection from friends can be hard because teens are always looking for a place to belong. As well, many parents don’t understand the impact of social media. In both positive and negative ways, teens are using social media daily. And, some parents forbid snap chat or tik tok, which can cause a teen to feel left out. As well, some teenagers don’t know how to deal with cyber bulling. Now, big moments happen on social media, tik tok, and snap chat. For instance, a friend asking your teen out on a date may occur via social media. Often, teenagers see other people’s bodies on social media and compare that to themselves. And, comparisons impacts anxiety levels both in positive and negative ways for teenagers. If you are looking for teen therapy in Old Saybrook, Ct, book a phone consult using the pink button.
Teenagers with depression often spend too much time on social media and online.
For some teens, doing a tik tok dance video can feel like a boost in self-esteem and confidence. But, for other teens, they may not know how to regulate and spend all day online. Some teenagers also feel depression and social withdrawal from too much online gaming. As well, social anxiety occurs for adolescents and teenagers online as well as in person. So, social media can be good for connecting with friends miles away. But, some teens fall into a comparison trap with peers. On a positive note with social media, teenagers can also find anxiety coping skills and cool art activities.
Is your teenager not spending as much time talking with you, as a parent?
Often, teenagers are dealing with loads of friend drama. On that note, adolescents don’t know how to share it, so they get angry or close up. Therefore, teenagers who have depression often will cut, self-harm, as they don’t have coping tools. As a cry for help, teenagers with depression will often self-harm, cut, burn, or pick their skin. As well, teenagers who are dealing with gender questioning feelings or who are gay may socially withdraw. At times, teenagers want a safe place, like a counselor’s office, to talk about non binary gender expression or sexual orientation. At Wisdom Within Counseling, we are educated and specialized in LGBTQIA+ therapy. Social withdrawal and depression is especially common when a teenager feels rejection from their family around their gender or sexuality.
If you think you teen has depression or may be questioning their gender, or even has come out as transgender, these are our speciality areas. Book a phone consult using the pink button below.
As a parent, are you looking for direction and support around parenting your teenager?
Sometimes, it can be hard emotionally for parents when their teen is angry and rejects them. You might be the emotional punching bag. In therapy, we help parents at Wisdom Within Counseling too. For one, you may find yourself sad or going through loss as a parent because your teen doesn’t want to spend time with you anymore. In middle school, they still loved getting hugs. Now, you teenager pulls away from you when you try to hug them. It can be hard for parents to navigate the transition, and to also keep setting healthy boundaries and rules.
To learn more about how we help parents of teenagers and teen therapy in Old Saybrook, Ct, book a phone consult today.
Does your teenager feel left out of friend groups and cliques?
Friends are constantly changing, and teenagers often feel anger, frustration, sadness, and competition. Often, teenagers don’t want to talk to parents, so a therapist can be a great support. Working with a specialized teen therapist can help your teen learn to believe in themselves again. Sometimes, adolescents and teenagers get discouraged because they criticize themselves. As well, our counseling team teaches positive coping skills for anxiety and better self-esteem. We specialize with severe issues like self-harm, cutting and with eating disorders like binging, purging, and compulsive exercise too.
What are three tips you can do today to support your teenager’s emotional health?
Reach out to a counseling professional and see if they want to talk about counseling.
Ask your daughter or son directly if they feel suicidal and take them seriously.
In holistic teen therapy in Old Saybrook, Ct, we offer unique, offer art therapies, yoga, music, play, and outdoor walk and talk.
These are great for adolescents and teenagers to release anger and anxiety and express emotions in ways beyond words. As well, teenagers can have a place to focus on themselves for instance by going for an outdoor walk-and-talk session by the beach. In addition, watercolor, painting, or sitting on a comfy couch in an office are choices too. For teenagers, we offer a sense of leadership and self-esteem tools. Your adolescent or young adult can feel stronger and clear their head. We are skill oriented, so teenagers can build a self-care toolbox through holistic skills. At Wisdom Within Counseling in holistic teen therapy in Old Saybrook, Ct, teens can connect to their whole self, mind, body, and spirit.
