Hispanic counselor for teenagers in Florida
Family-oriented therapy for teens
Does It Feel Like You And Your Teenager Are Speaking Different Languages?
Have you noticed that your teen is refusing to open up to you? Do you feel like you’ve failed as a parent because you don’t know how to help them? Are you overwhelmed by stress as you watch your teen sink deeper into depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges?
Maybe your teen has become withdrawn, struggling to communicate and shutting themselves away from you and the rest of the family. Perhaps they were a good student in the past, but now it’s a fight to get them to complete their homework, and their grades keep slipping.
You may feel ashamed that this is happening to you. What you want more than anything is for your teen to feel understood, comfortable with themselves, and supported.
Growing Up Isn’t Easy
Facing challenges as a teenager can feel lonely, frustrating, and exhausting.
Maybe your teen is experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression. They may appear distant and closed-off, even when you sense they are going through inner turmoil. Maybe they’re enduring feelings of distress, inadequacy, shame, withdrawal, and isolation, even when surrounded by loved ones.
Your teen probably waits until the last minute to complete certain tasks—like their chores, homework, or extracurricular activities—thus intensifying their stress. A pervasive sense of unworthiness and self-doubt may take hold, making them question their value. The rollercoaster of mood swings can leave them feeling overwhelmed and as if their emotions are spiraling out of control.
It is also common for teens to struggle with cutting, self-injury, relationship problems, identity issues, and trauma.
In the face of these stressors, you want your teen to feel hopeful about the future. Counseling at Empower with Esperanza Therapy Services can help your teen learn how to manage their emotions, all while feeling supported.
Adolescence Is A Time Of Emotional Turmoil
Your teenage years are marked by challenges, growth, and changes. It's entirely typical to face difficulties during this stage of life. Nevertheless, when teens exhibit signs of distress, it's crucial to offer support and guidance.
According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly one in three of all adolescents between the ages of 13 to 18 will experience an anxiety disorder. These numbers have been gradually increasing; between 2007 and 2012, anxiety disorders in children and teens went up 20 percent. (1)
The National Institute of Mental Health estimated that roughly 31.9 percent of adolescents had an anxiety disorder. The pervasiveness of any anxiety disorder among teens was higher for females at 38 percent than for males at 26.1 percent. (2)
Counseling can give your teen the tools to overcome challenges and accept who they are without constant self-criticism and judgment.
Societal Expectations Do More Harm Than Good
Whether it’s a relentless focus on academic success, the fear of failure, or the expectation for high-achieving teenagers to balance multiple academic and extracurricular commitments, these all play a role in increasing stress and anxiety levels.
Furthermore, the emergence of social media has exposed adolescents to constant comparisons, the threat of cyberbullying, and the fear of missing out (FOMO). This digital landscape also adds to the pressure of maintaining an ideal online image, fueling concerns about judgment and the fear of not being accepted or liked. These factors, combined with family conflicts and strained relationships within households, create a complex web that contributes to intense emotions.
Seeking counseling for your teen is an integral step in understanding their struggles and providing help so they can enjoy their teenage years.
Counseling Can Help Your Teen Enjoy A Fulfilling Life
When I work with teens, I ensure to focus on creating a strong relationship and connection first. Therapy with me offers your teen a safe space of empathy, understanding, and validation where they can feel heard and accepted. Our sessions allow teens to gain a better understanding of their underlying triggers.
Counseling can equip you as a parent with the tools needed to connect with your teenager and reinforce your role as a trusted, safe space for them. I can offer your child guidance and support in situations that may be challenging to navigate, including self-criticism, dysfunctional relationships, or mental health issues. Through counseling, they can acquire the skills to set boundaries, overcome obstacles, and embrace the significance of self-love and self-acceptance.
What You And Your Teen Can Expect From Therapy
Because I know a core cultural value of first/second gens lies in the importance of the family unit, I incorporate this into my treatment approach and will work collaboratively with the family. Having a shared background and being able to communicate in Spanish and English can also allow me to bridge the disconnect that often occurs between teens and parents.
When I work with teens, I utilize a multipronged approach. I like working with parents at the same time as the teens. I help you process what has occurred, educate you on what to expect, and utilize your input throughout your teen’s healing journey.
My Approach To Teen Counseling
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a therapeutic approach that enables teens to validate their emotional responses to various situations and equips them with the tools to choose appropriate coping strategies. By enhancing emotional regulation and distress tolerance, DBT can be particularly effective in helping adolescents navigate the challenges and develop healthy emotional coping mechanisms.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is another valuable modality that uses mindfulness, acceptance, and commitment to help your teen navigate the challenges of their teenage years. ACT helps teens identify core values and personal goals, encouraging them to align their actions with these values even when faced with adversity.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a blend of cognitive and mindfulness techniques aimed at reducing stress and promoting mental well-being. For teens, MBCT can be particularly beneficial in addressing stress, anxiety, and mood-related challenges by teaching them how to use mindfulness to manage their emotional states effectively.
Multicultural Counseling recognizes the impact of lifestyle, culture, and religion on a teen’s well-being. It involves gaining an understanding of a person's cultural background and using this knowledge as part of the treatment process. Support systems and a deep understanding of a teen's unique cultural context are crucial. Additionally, it's essential to consider the specific challenges faced by LGBTQ teens, such as their transitioning process, and tailor our treatment plan accordingly.
This approach can also be particularly effective in addressing issues related to identity, belonging, and cultural adjustment, including those experienced by teens from diverse backgrounds like Hispanic heritage or growing up in a different country.
Integrative Therapy is an approach that combines various therapeutic techniques to create a personalized treatment plan for your teen. Integrative therapy offers a holistic and individualized approach to teen counseling, making it adaptable to various situations and needs.
Our goal in therapy is to help your teen feel better and manage the whirlwind of overwhelming emotions they may have within them.
Perhaps You Are Considering Teen Counseling But Still Have Some Questions…
If you’re tired of watching your teenager struggle with their identity, self-love, isolation, emotional outbursts, and symptoms of anxiety and depression, counseling with Empower with Esperanza Therapy Services can offer the guidance and support they need to embrace self-compassion and self-worth.
Please call (786) 365-4298 or schedule a free 15-minute consultation to find out how my approach to teen counseling can help you.
1.https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/emotional-problems/Pages/Anxiety-Disorders.aspx
2.https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder
Your teen’s and your wellbeing are worth investing in.
Perhaps You Are Considering Teen Counseling But Still Have Some Questions…
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Absolutely! Empower with Esperanza is a queer and trans-affirming therapy practice. I have experience bridging the gap of understanding between parents and teens during what is often a challenging transition and self-discovery process.
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Sit down with them and let them know the changes you have noticed recently. Let them know you’re worried and want to help. Ask them if there’s anything you can do to help. Ask them what their thoughts on therapy are and whether they would be open to giving it a shot. Dispel any myths or misunderstandings they may have about therapy. Remind them it is confidential and optional and that you only ask that they give it a chance and have an open mind. If they have further questions, I would be happy to help them during the consultation.
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Therapy for teens works best when they are invested in the process. For example, you can choose a couple of therapists that you like and who logistically work for you (i.e. finances, modality, etc.). Review those therapist’s profiles with your teen and let them be part of the consultation calls. Afterward, ask your teen who they feel is the best fit for them.
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