It can be a whole new ball game when teenagers enter junior high and high school. Teen brains and bodies are developing at a rapid rate and their focus shifts to establishing an identify and sense of self. They start to experiment with roles, activities and behaviors.
This can be a stressful time for both parents and the teenager. Sometimes the “experimentation” leads to conflict, shut down of communication and even feelings of resentment and hurt. When breakdown happens this is when I see parents bringing their teen in for therapy. When I work with teenagers, I typically work on internal conflict with roles, peers and emotions. But one major aspect that needs to be address (and sometimes therapists overlook) is the relationship and communication with parents. Parents need to be an active participant in therapy and willing to learn new ways of communicating, negotiating and connecting with their budding adult.
