Teenagers can face some of their toughest challenges in the years leading to adulthood. Perceptions of being misunderstood combined with mental health issues such as anxiety or depression need specific attention and care.
Other issues teenagers face include things which can exacerbate many mental health issues.
These issues could be separation of parents, changing schools or difficulties socially within school. Psychologists specialising in adolescence help the young person identify the problem, validate their thoughts and feelings around the problem and then process the problem emotionally and intuitively.
The psychologist will endeavour to give the young person a bag of tools they can carry around for the rest of their life. These tools may include, cognitive restructuring, relaxation skills, psycho-education on anxiety and strategies for rumination, sleep and how to cope.
The adolescent learns to trust the psychologist knowing that they will support them through any difficulties in their life. Counselling is tailored to each adolescent and can take up to 6 sessions to see a change. Change for the adolescent is important, so they can feel hope that they will feel better soon.
In some cases pharmaceutical drugs may be of use for the adolescent, however this is always done in consultation with the GP, family, young person and psychologist. In other cases the psychologist will contact the school (with the young person’s consent) and make a bridge between the young person and school. Some adolescents may find this helpful.