Teens
I thoroughly enjoy working with this age group. It is my top priority to build a genuine, trusting relationship with each one who comes to session. I want them to know that there is nothing they can reveal to me that would bring judgement or a “parental reaction”. Simply put, I am not another parent figure brought into the picture to tell them what to do. What’s important to me is being able to see the world through their eyes and help them adjust the parts of their lives that are not serving them well. Sometimes this means broaching parts of life that might feel overwhelming or topics that feel incredibly vulnerable or threatening. However, these barriers are worked through together. A partnership is formed and decisions are made together with how to proceed and at what pace.
In the beginning I like to learn about what they’re interested in, what hobbies they have, what their aspirations are for the future, or lack thereof. Sometimes we might find some things in common. I have a young spirit and often have similar interests with my clients.
For Parents:
Sometimes parents are the first to suggest a child try out therapy. This can sometimes bring complicated feelings for your child. It is completely normal if they feel angry, defensive, or shame when presented with meeting with a therapist. Under these circumstances, it’s best to present therapy as an opportunity. Maybe it does not need to be a long-term commitment. Maybe they would be more open to “just meet Dylan on Zoom for 15 minutes and see if you get along) or maybe just committing to one session and taking it from there. Either way, I’m happy to speak with you during our consultation and discuss possible ways to engage your child in the event that they are resistant to therapy.