Adolescent Behavior

Teens are asking for help

Now, more than ever, teens are needing therapy and courageously asking for help. Parents are also searching for answers as conflicts increase at home, academics decline, and behavior problems increase. As a parent, you may be ready to consider counseling, and exploring your options––hoping to find a great fit for your teen.

Can therapy really work for my teenager?

You may also be wondering if therapy will work for your teen and you have questions: Can a therapist connect with my teen? Will my teen feel they can talk openly and honestly? Can the therapist handle my teen’s problems? What if my teen doesn’t talk? Will the therapist blame me for my teen’s problems? Will I get support on parenting my teen? Can the counselor help us restore our relationship? And will my teen be ready to launch into adulthood when the time comes?

For those of us at Cherry Hill, who love working with teens, these are challenges we face on a regular basis. Go ahead and ask us the hard questions––we want to hear your concerns. But know, we truly enjoy connecting with teenagers, and are up for the challenge.

How Cherry Hill therapists work with teens

Here are a few things you can expect when we work with your teen:

1. Our relationship with your teenager comes first. We want to know what they’re all about––from their hobbies, the sports they play, the art they create, and the musicians they follow.
   Teens need to feel validated, heard, and respected, and this begins by knowing them well––as well as their issues that need to be addressed.
2. As counselors, we are not the “third parent” in the room. You are the parent which matters to us. Our role is to support and challenge your teen, and to teach them how to respectfully advocate for themselves. With guidance, your teen can replace acting-out with healthy self advocacy.
3. You, as the parent, matter in the life of your son or daughter. We value your insight and the unique position you have to impact the life of your teen. When relationships are strained or severed, we want to support you and the whole family in rebuilding your connection with your teen.
4. Expect us to tailor our therapeutic approach to best serve your teen and your family. Our clinicians employ a wide collection of therapeutic approaches that include Cognitive Behavioral, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, No-talk Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Family Systems, Emotionally Focused Family Therapy, creative and expressive therapies, Motivational Interviewing, and many more. Our interventions include rapport building, education and training, role-playing, relaxation training, and other experiential exercises. We may also encourage other supportive therapies that can enhance his or her treatment progress.

Give us a call. Tell us a little more about your family. We would love to help your son or daughter traverse these challenging times and re-discover the joy of emerging into adulthood.