Adolescents

Treating adolescents is different than treating children. Adolescence brings unique developmental challenges and there is a greater degree of confidentiality required. In fact, Illinois State law mandates that children ages 12 and over are entitled to the same degree of privilege and confidentiality as an adult! While respecting these boundaries, we try to keep parents generally informed. Whenever possible, we encourage direct communication between you and your adolescent and we will coach all of you on the best way to express what is important.

Friends and image take center stage! Adolescence brings explosive growth. Tremendous physical, social, cognitive and emotional change happens during these few years. The adolescent struggles to establish a unique identity while trying to fit in and be part of a larger social group all at the same time. As challenges arise, adolescents may not feel comfortable going to parents for help since these are the people from whom they are naturally attempting to separate. Often depression, anxiety and loss of self-esteem results from this sense of wanting to sort through these problems alone but feeling confused and unsuccessful. Parents painfully watch and want to help but feel as though they don’t know how.

Limit setting, trust and making choices can feel overwhelming for everyone. Preparing to move into adulthood with increased independence and adult-like decision making can be anxiety provoking. A lot of frustration and anger can be experienced in the home while families struggle with the challenge of letting adolescents grow up while emotionally holding on. Our goal is to work closely with your adolescent, helping him/her to think through and see things in a way that promotes healthy choices.