Written by Katie Ziskind
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher. Katie is the practice owner of Wisdom Within Counseling. Read more about Katie, here. She loves helping anxious kids, depressed teens, and distant young adult couples through holistic therapies in Niantic. Read more about teen therapy, here.
How To Connect With Your Distant Teenager
Try these tips, have fun, be creative, and be amazed at the possibilities surrounding your new perspective and the mindful relationship you have with your child or teenager.
Parenting Tip: What is Your Teen Doing Well?
First, compliment your child/teen by focusing on and highlighting positives. Instead of the negative reprimands or trying to fix them try, “I love how you are talking about this challenging situation. For instance, “I like the way you have already started thinking about your choices.” Or, try this compliment, “I see you as a leader. I am proud of you. I love you.”
How Can Wisdom Within Counseling Help With Teen Therapy in Niantic?
Further, when it comes to adolescent and teen therapy in Niantic, our team of specialists help your whole family work better together. Often, with teen therapy in Niantic, your teen gets individual support. Also, as a parent, you receive parent support sessions and coping skills to improve communication with your frustrated, self-harming teen. Additionally, your adolescent’s therapist here in Niantic at Wisdom Within Counseling can work with teachers, the principal, and their pediatrician to implement academic accommodations for their success.
Parenting Tip: Focus On Being Reassuring and Compassionate! Validate Your Teen, Don’t Challenge or Get Defensive With Your Distant Teen
Secondly, use a reassuring, soothing tone of voice. A frustrated child/teen already feels insecure, lost, different, and left behind. Sometimes teens turn to self-harm, alcohol/drugs, and get into trouble when deep down are asking for love, support, and relaxation.
Parenting Tip: Think Local To Niantic When Picking Your Teen’s Therapist
Also, reassure your child/teen that you will always be there for them and that there is plenty of time to accomplish their dreams. Likewise, children and teens also benefit from having a safe space, such as a therapist’s office, to call their own. Similarly, adolescents and teens need a person who is a professional outside of their family to learn coping skills.
Why Does A Distant Teen at East Lyme High School Need A Therapist In Niantic?
Since teens are separating from their parents, teens won’t listen to parents. therefore, it can be very helpful for your whole family to get your teen into weekly therapy for nine months to one year minimum. And, when your teen builds trust with their therapist, their therapeutic bond will set your distant teen up for success in creating meaningful, trusting friendships. Further, your distant teen can learn skills for healthy communication with peers through therapy. And, your teen can learn techniques to release feelings in healthy ways, for lifelong wellness.
Parenting Tip: Teen Therapy In Niantic Teaches Empathy
As a parent, always be empathetic. So, step into their shoes and remember middle school and high school is tough. Therefore, a great way to approach your frustrated, insecure adolescent or teen is to let them know you also share many of their feelings. When appropriate, to build trust, empathy, and authority in a fun way, share a short story from your life when you were their age. Further, this shows your depressed, angry teen that you believe in them and were once a sad child, insecure adolescent, or depressed teenager too.
Parenting Tip: Focus On Your Self-Care and Your Healthy Activities To Prevent Burnout
Now, stay positive and healthy yourself. As a parent/guardian, it is important to schedule non-negotiable self-care. For instance, go to a yoga class, morning run, a workout, book club, or even a relaxing bath. When it comes to adolescent and teen therapy in Niantic, we offer parenting support sessions to prevent burnout also. At home, look at your week or your day and plan, so you don’t become exhausted and burnt out. And, communicate with your partner or a friend to coordinate child/teen supervision. Remember, even if your teen is independent, don’t leave your teen unsupervised or home alone. This is a recipe for negative behaviors and too much freedom. Lastly, focus on your self-care as a parent, so you can can dedicate self-care time and return refreshed to parenting. Further, when you think about teen therapy in Niantic, the team of child, adolescent, and young adult therapists here in Niantic are experts with frustrated teens and depressed young adults.
About The Niantic Author Of This Mental Health and Parenting Tip Article
Katie Ziskind, Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, 500-hour Registered Yoga Therapist, is holistic and experiential in her family therapy practice, Wisdom Within Counseling in Niantic, Connecticut. Katie also offers teletherapy, video therapy, and distance counseling options. She offers art, yoga, music, and animal therapy alongside talk counseling to help young adults learn to love themselves, stop self-harming, and build healthy self-confidence. Teens and adults also enjoy walk and talk therapy by the relaxing ocean waves. Her expertise is different and unique from any other counseling service in this area. She loves working with children, adolescents, and young adults as well as parents and couples who feel distant and are working to raise a family. After session, you’ll feel supported, resilient, and on top of your game. She is affirming and open to the LGBT community, youth and adults and specializes in yoga therapy. Call/text Katie for a free 15 minute consultation to talk (860) 451-9364 or email KatieZiskindMft@gmail.com. Find articles and videos, as well as online booking, at WisdomWithinCt.com.
