Adolescent Counseling ApproachThis page explains Turning Point Psychotherapy's adolescent counseling approach. It also offers some facts and statistics on the state of mental health in America's children and teens. The BasicsEffective adolescent counseling focuses on helping teens develop unique identities, solid attachments, and the ability to separate out from relationships without sacrificing a sense of connectedness.Turning Point Psychotherapy's unique adolescent counseling approach emphasizes depth oriented, brief therapy that helps teens change and control negative patterns in thinking, feeling and behaving. Pursuing a Healthy AdolescenceA healthy journey through adolescence is linked to the concept of individuation. Adolescent anger management, adolescent depression and adolescent self-esteem are all factors of the quality of individuation that a young person is able to achieve.Individuation is the process of developing sufficient separation from the family in order to take on the adult roles and responsibilities that come with autonomy. But, a young person cannot truly separate out unless a solid foundation of connections and attachments has first been built around positive ways of thinking about the world and the way they see themselves in it. Girls and Boys
Traditionally, girls were socialized to see themselves in relation to others. While pursing individuation, a girl may perceive a sexual relationship as a passage into adulthood. In order to individuate from her family, for example, she may become dependent on another person and due to lack of individuation, have an unwanted pregnancy or unhealthy relationship.
For boys, individuation can be equally difficult. The emphasis on traditional masculinity can pressure boys to individuate before they are psychologically ready. As a result, feelings go unexpressed, and destructive outlets are used to replace them. The difficulty of establishing a unique identity can often lead adolescents to turn to violence against themselves or others, alcohol and/ or drugs. Troubling SignsDepression in teens, defensiveness, rebellion, excessive conformity or the inability to make mature decisions, are all linked to the difficulty of achieving autonomy while maintaining a sense of intimacy and connectedness.Moving ForwardThe adolescent counseling approach of Turning Point Psychotherpay* is an effective form of anger management for teens* increases teenager self esteem * helps teens form a healthy, solid sense of self while able to remain in relationship to others. With Turning Point Psychotherapy's depth-oriented, brief adolescent counseling approach, young people can learn how to separate out without losing a sense of connectedness and establish unique and individual identities. With a healthy sense of self in relation to others teens are better equipped to manage the demands of their burgeoning adulthood. Facts and Statistics on Children and Adolescent Mental HealthMore and more teens are struggling with psychological problems while psychiatric hospitalizations have increased (Crespi, 1989; Wilson & Soth, 1985).The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention reports that more than 1.5 million adolescents are arrested annually, 34,000 for aggravated assault and 2,000 for murder alone (Regnery, 1985). More recently, Zigler, Taussig, and Black (1992) noted that Federal Bureau of Investigation figures indicate that 1.75 million youth under age 18 were arrested in 1990. Children and adolescents are more likely to develop psychological problems when they are victims of abuse and neglect (Kazdin, 1989). The incidence of violence against children is increasing (Avis, 1992). Children witness approximately 80% of parental physical assaults (Jaffe, Wolfe, & Wilson, 1990). ReferencesAvis, J.M. (1992). Where are all the family therapists? Abuse and violence within families and family therapy's response. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 18(3), 225-232.Crespi, T.D. (1989). Child and adolescent psychopathology and involuntary hospitalization. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas. Jaffe, P., Wolfe, D.A., & Wilson, S.K. (1990). Children of battered women. Newbury Park, CA: Sage. Kazdin, A.E. (1989). Developmental psychopathology: Current research, issues, and directions. American Psychologist, 44(2), 180-187. Regnery, A.S. (1985). Getting away with murder - Why the juvenile justice system needs an overhaul. Policy Review, 32, 65-68. Zigler, E., Taussig, C., & Black, K. (1992). Early childhood intervention: A promising preventative for juvenile delinquency. American Psychologist, 47(8), 997-1006.
|
