Counseling for Teens

Parenting can be challenging, to say the least. Especially when your child is struggling and you feel unable to help them.

Take the story of fifteen-year old John and his mother, Anne, for instance:

Anne, mother of three comes home after work. Her oldest son, John, is sitting on the sofa, texting and watching television.

“Hey. How was your day?” she asks, as she sits down next to him.

“Fine,” John says, never looking up from his phone.

I talked to Mrs. Patterson today. You met her and her son last week. Isn’t he in your English class? I invited them over for dinner this weekend.

Annoyed, John stands up, and storms off shouting, “Thanks a lot, mom. I wish you’d stop interfering with my life!”

Exasperated by her futile attempt to help her son make friends at his new school, she calls her neighbor and cancels the dinner.

Will Anne be able to find help for John? We’ll continue their story later.

One of the hardest things in situations like these is when your attempt to help your child backfires and causes a rift between you. If you’re having trouble reaching your teen, Christian counseling for teens might help. As teen counselors, we understand the many challenges parents face, especially during adolescence. We are here to support you and your child, so they can reach his (or her – using the common he pronoun for the rest of this article when needed) potential and find the path God created for him.

There are many reasons for Christian counseling for teens such as:

• Family transitions
• Grief and loss
• Health issues
• Addiction
• Sexual activity concerns
• Sexual identity
• Teen pregnancy
• Bullying
• Behavior problems
• Issues in school
• Concerns about faith and spiritual development

It’s important to understand that no problem is too mundane for counseling. Don’t wait until things are out of control before you seek help. If you’re already at the point of desperation, rest assured that help for your teen is possible. If you’re experiencing issues with your teen that affect your family as a whole, you might consider Christian family counseling.

As a parent, you will do everything you can to help your child succeed. Sometimes that means getting help.

Remember Anne and her son, John? After their argument, Anne decided seek advice from a member of their church.

I just don’t know what to do.” Anne sobs. “He won’t talk to me. He spends all day in his room, and today his principal told me that he’s skipping class.

Her friend replied, “Have you considered counseling? My family went to Christian counseling last year after my mom died, and it really did help.”

Anne wipes her eyes and says, “I’ve thought about it. Maybe that’s a good idea.”

Anne isn’t alone even though she might feel she is. At Tacoma Christian Counseling, we’ve helped many parents like Anne get the help they need for their teens.

Christian counseling for teens utilizes a two-pronged approach toward healing, encompassing both a spiritual core component and focusing on the symptoms of human brokenness. As Christians, we are spiritual creatures who strive to overcome struggles and temptations in the world. During teen years, this battle is in full swing as we grapple with tough issues pertaining to our future, how we interact with others, and learning to deal with negative thoughts and emotions. Our counselors are trained to understand the vast complexities teenagers face today and are skilled at helping them thrive in a world that can make living a Godly life seem undesirable or impossible.

>Through Christian counseling for teens, your child can gain:

• Understanding about their behaviors, and how to focus on positive change.
• Tools for managing and controlling negative thoughts.
• Problem solving skills.
• Better development of healthy social skills.
• A safe environment for exploration of inner thoughts, feelings, and desires.
• Understanding about their physical and mental developmental process.
• Help for Christian teens who battle peer pressure.
• A safe place to grapple with things like doubt or uncertainty about religious beliefs.
• Tools for mending past hurts and rebuilding relationships.
• Communication skills to help them voice their concerns in a constructive way.

These are just some of the many benefits to Christian counseling for teens. At Tacoma Christian Counseling, we love to help young people overcome obstacles and gain skills that will help them live healthier, happier lives now and in the future.

Adolescence is one of the most challenging times in a person’s life, for both children and their parents. As your teen forms his identity and begins to seek independence, it’s natural to feel strain within your relationship. During teen years, parents may find themselves overwhelmed by the struggles their child is facing and the behavior that results. It’s common for teen parents to feel like they’re losing control, which causes conflict and a feeling of desperation for everyone involved.

Let’s get back to Anne and John’s story:

Anne decided to enroll John in Christian teen counseling. As expected, John wasn’t too happy with the idea.

I don’t need to be analyzed. They don’t know me. If you think I’m going to go talk to some stuffy shrink, you can forget it!

During the first session. John was more than reluctant. Meeting opposition from teen clients is something his counselor was very familiar with. She leveled with him, explaining that he’s in total control of the situation.

I’m not here to force you into doing anything. All I ask is that you be real with me, and I’ll be real with you. Help me do my job, and I’ll help you get out of here.

Slowly John let down his guard, as the counselor built an environment of mutual respect, trust, and safety. Together, they discovered that his actions resulted from deep pain, rooted in past loss, his parent’s recent divorce, and conflicts in school. Through counseling, John overcame his anger, formed new friendships, excelled in school, and rebuilt relationships with his family.

Later, Anne thanked her church friend for the advice. “Taking John to counseling was the best thing I could’ve done. He’s so much happier, and he actually talks to me now!”

If you have concerns about your teen’s behavior, our Christian counselors are here to help.

Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression are common problems, affecting nearly one in every eight children under age 18. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America Teens, children of this age range experience a great deal of pressure in virtually every facet of their lives. Well-meaning parents push their children to succeed, middle and high school years are wrought with social and academic pressures, and the natural changes of adolescence can be confusing, frustrating, and overwhelming. When other issues such as family transitions, death, health concerns, divorce, and emerging mental health concerns are added, it’s understandable for anyone, especially young adults, to feel overwhelmed. It takes time and practice to learn how to deal with stress and other negative emotions. Christian counselors for teens can help your teen learn to better understand and process their emotions while exploring ways to express themselves in a healthy way.

ADHD and Learning Disabilities

According to The National Center for Learning Disabilities, 35 percent of parents with children with learning disabilities have serious concerns about their ability to deal with their child’s struggles. If your teen suffers from conditions like ADHD, dyslexia, or other conditions that affect their academic success, it’s natural to feel stressed and overwhelmed, which often shows up in a teen as behavior issues, obstinacy, apathy, or strong emotional reactions to seemingly small stresses. Christian counseling for your teen will teach them how to better manage stress, improve their self-esteem, and find hope in the future. With added support, your teen can feel confident in knowing that God has a plan for them, and the struggles they face are molding them in ways they never imagined.

Behavior and Social Problems in School

Problems in school can result from many things. As a parent, it can be hard to understand why your child is acting out, refusing to do their work, or engaging in conflict with teachers and their peers. Frustration leads to conflict between you and your child, which can limit your ability to deal with the problem constructively. Our teen focused Christian counselors are experienced in helping teenagers deal with issues that affect their ability to succeed in school, and form healthy friendships. Together they will talk about why your teen is having difficulty and the reasons behind their actions. Behavior problems in school are often a symptom of a larger issue that needs to be addressed before true progress can be made. By focusing on the problem, rather than scolding the behavior, a counselor will heal the situation by tackling the underlying issues. Once those areas are identified, your teen can work towards finding better ways of handling difficult situations, so they can succeed now and in the future.

Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior

Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in children and teens ages 10-19. During teen years, there are new responsibilities, concerns, and pressures with which they have little or no experience. Sometimes teens are unable to handle overwhelming negative emotions, which can lead to concerning behaviors. When faced with added challenges on top of normal teen issues, your child might be at higher risk for severe depression, which can lead to suicidal thoughts and actions. In these cases, your teen’s counselor will look at all the behaviors and warning signs, and at the same time create a safety net for them to explore their emotions. While confidentiality of your teen is protected in most cases, instances of suicidal ideation are approached differently. Parents are informed and included in these situations to make sure the teen is safe. Your teen’s Christian counselor will identify the causes of his thoughts and offer solutions for healing.

Violent Behavior

If your teen is acting out in anger, you have reason to be concerned. Whether directed towards family members or peers, violence can lead to serious consequences for your teen now and in the future. Christian counselors for teens offer a compassionate place to explore troubling behavior. They will help your teen feel at ease, and learn to become able to share information about things that might be causing his anger. Anger is usually a symptom of an underlying issue, such as depression, shame, or a cry for attention. Young people can have difficulty knowing how to express themselves in a way that gets the results they need. As parents, it’s natural to see the behavior, and react to that rather than looking for a root cause because you are emotionally invested. Christian counselor’s look beyond the behavior, and toward the inner voice that needs to be heard. Having someone outside of the situation, who can offer an objective perspective along with tools for managing harmful emotional responses can go a long way in helping your teen deal with anger and violent tendencies.

Sudden Weight Loss or Gain

If your teen is showing a sudden change in weight loss or gain, this could be a sign of issues which need professional attention. Things like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or health problems can cause a rapid change in your child’s weight. Your child’s physician can determine whether the weight loss or gain is caused by a medical condition. Once ruled out, you might consider Christian counseling to help explore the psychological reasons for this sudden change. Managing these issues early is key in helping your teen learn how to cope with stressors which cause them to over-eat or refuse food, so they can form healthier habits which they can carry with them through adulthood.

Extreme Mood or Personality Changes

It’s normal for teenagers to experience a degree of emotional, mood, and personality changes. Hormones, changes in their body and typical teenage stressors can make most every teen seem erratic at times. When these mood changes increase in frequency or severity, or if their personality changes become alarming, it might be a good idea to seek help from a professional Christian teen counselor. A Christian counselor for teens can determine the cause of these changes, whether it be environmental, circumstantial, or symptoms of an emerging psychological condition. Often times, if a person is going to struggle with mood disorders, you will begin to see signs during adolescence. Did you know that 1 in 5 teens suffer from some form of mental disorder? Early intervention and treatment will help your teen manage his symptoms more efficiently. Whatever the cause might be, our teen Christian counselors are experienced in helping teens overcome negative emotions, and work towards identifying and nurturing their true selves.

Illegal or Risky Behavior

As a parent, few things are more alarming than watching your teen fall into trouble. Learning that your child is participating in illegal or dangerous activities can quickly make a parent feel overwhelmed and out of control. If your teen is getting into trouble, our Christian counselors for teens might be able to help. Through counseling, your teen will be encouraged to form a trusting, therapeutic relationship based on common ground, compassion, and respect. By making your teen feel unconditionally accepted, his counselor will work with him to explore his thinking, seek the reason for his behavior, and offer healthy alternatives for dealing with the underlying issues that cause your teen to act negatively.

Sexual Behavior Concerns

One of the most frightening concerns for parents of teens involve sexual activity. In our society, teens are exposed to sex through various forms of media which glamorize and even encourage sexual behavior. Our counselors have helped teens understand the changes involved in adolescence and how to deal with pressures and the natural desires they face. In counseling, your teen is free to discuss a variety of sexual concerns including confusion about sexual identity, how to preserve sexual health and integrity, issues of low self-esteem, and how to manage peer pressure in order to stick to individual values. Getting teens to open up about personal issues like sexual behavior can be a challenge, especially for parents. If you’re having a hard time communicating with your teen about sex, our Christian counselors can help mend the communication gap and offer solid advice so your teen is more likely to make healthy choices about sexual activity.

Spiritual Concerns

Most people struggle with faith at some point in their lives. Even when raised in a Christian home, it’s natural for teens to go through periods of questioning and doubt. In our society, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to express faith openly. Your teen might be struggling with ridicule or pressure from those who seek to demean and disprove God’s word. God can use these times to strengthen faith and encourage learning, but it helps to have support from others who have persevered through similar situations. If your teen is struggling with questions pertaining to his spiritual identity, Christian counseling can help your teen sort through these tough issues in order to can come to terms with who he is and gain a better understanding of what God has in store for him.

If you’re thinking about enrolling your teen in Christian counseling, you probably have a lot of questions. We are here to answer your questions and help you find the right Christian teen counselor should you choose us. Meanwhile, here are some answers to frequent questions parents have about counseling for teens at Tacoma Christian Counseling:

What if I think my teen needs counseling, but they refuse?

You’ve heard the saying, “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink.” The same is true with counseling. If you feel led to seek counseling for your resistant teen, know that your teen counselors are experienced in breaking down the barriers teens often put up when asked to participate in counseling. The whole family is welcome to come in and talk about concerns on either side, without pressure to commit.

How is a Christian approach to teen counseling beneficial?

Christian counseling for teens offers everything secular counseling provides, but with the added benefit of the healing power of faith and the word of God. Christian counseling focuses on the whole person, including the mind, body, and spirit in order to promote a more comprehensive approach to healing.

As a parent, how involved am I in the counseling process?

As a parent, you have a God-given responsibility to care for your children. As Christian counselors, we are here to help you by offering additional support and guidance for your teen. Part of counseling is maintaining a healthy and safe client-counselor relationship so your teen can open up about his emotions and concerns. To achieve this, the counselor will maintain a level of confidentiality, so long as the teen doesn’t appear to be at risk of harming themselves or others. Issues of confidentiality and counseling practices are discussed during the risk-free initial session. We’re happy to answer any questions you have about the counseling process.

Do you accept insurance?

Tacoma Christian Counseling works with insurance companies as both in and out of network providers. If you have questions about whether counseling is covered, contact your insurance provider to get more clear about your benefits. If you’d like to speak with one of our staff prior to calling your insurance company please do. Our attentive office staff is here to answer your questions and help you make the best informed choice possible.

Getting Help For Your Teen Might Be
The Best Parenting Decision You Can Make.

At Tacoma Christian Counseling, our Christian teen counselors are passionate about helping young people gain tools for living a successful, fulfilling, healthy, and God-filled life. Whatever struggles your teen face, we are here to offer support, guidance, and compassion. Many of our teen counselors are parents themselves, and they understand the difficulties that come with teen parenting. We will do all we can to improve the quality of your teen’s life now, so they can build a strong, Christ-filled future. Contact us to learn more or schedule an appointment, or click here to browse our team of qualified Christian counselors.