Suggestions for Helping Your Teen Cope with Anxiety and Stress
Teenagers are faced with unique stressors these days; a global pandemic, navigating maintaining their academics both in school and through virtual school, social media explosion, strenuous and difficult college admissions criteria. Teenagers these days are under so much pressure to perform and to perform well in every facet of their life; academically, socially, etc. Chronic stress that is not well-managed can lead to anxiety, which can become crippling. Therefore, you may be wondering, as a parent of a teen – how you can help them manage and cope with the stress and anxiety of their everyday lives. Here are some suggestions for how to help your teen cope!
Suggestion #1 to Help Your Teen from a Teen Therapist : Validate their Feelings…
First and foremost, I think that many parents forget what it is like to be a teen and sometimes unintentionally minimize their teen’s struggles because they are comparing them to the “more real” adult struggles that they face. This can be harmful and send the message to teens that if they “just try harder” or just “do better”, they will be able to overcome. This isn’t always true, and puts more unnecessary pressure on the teen, which is actually contributing to their stress and anxiety! The best thing you can do for your teen is put yourself back in their shoes – remember how stressful school is, and how strenuous maintaining social relationships can be. Sit down and have a conversation with your teen about how they are feeling and validate those feelings – let them know that how they are feeling is real, and that you are there for them if they need someone to talk to! If you are unsure of how to validate their emotions in a healthy way, seeking the advice of a teen therapist may be a great solution!
Suggestion #2 to Help Your Teen from a Teen Counselor : Encourage Them to Get Involved in Activities They Enjoy…
Teenagers are often getting involved in extra-curricular activities that will “look good for college” or over-filling their schedules with AP classes. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as long as they are finding a balance between academics and enjoyable classes/activities. Encourage your teen to explore some hobbies they may have! Maybe that means taking a pottery class in school or trying a new sport! It is important for teenagers to enjoy themselves and try new things because teenage years are when a lot of self-exploration and growth occurs. If teens are constantly pressuring themselves to do things that will get them ahead, they are missing out on that important growth and development because they are not exploring all the facets of themselves. This can cause teens that are not very well adjusted and teens that don’t know how to cope with stress. Encouraging them to try new things and to find fun outlets for their stress and anxiety can be incredibly beneficial for them in the long term!
Suggestion #3 to Help Your Teen : Find Them a Teen Therapist to Help Them Process and Learn…
Sometimes validating their feelings and encouraging them to find healthy outlets is just not enough, and that’s okay! At that point, it would likely be in everyone’s best interest for your teen to speak to a teen therapist. Teen therapy can provide your teen with excellent coping skills, as well as a safe place to discuss and unpack all of their emotions – which is not an easy task! Teens may be reluctant to discuss how they are feeling, or the pressures they are experiencing. However, a teen counselor can help your teen recognize that these things are important to talk about! Teen therapy is a unique and positive experience for teens and a teen therapist is uniquely qualified to provide parenting education so that you feel comfortable and capable of discussing these things with your teen, as well!
Start Teen Therapy or Teen Counseling in Miami or Online in Florida Now:
If you feel like your teen is in need of someone to talk to, we have some great teen therapists in Miami or online in Florida! We work with teenagers that are battling anxiety, depression or overwhelmed with the stress of teenager life. Or perhaps, you are hoping to speak to a teen therapist to gain some perspective and/or learn how to communicate with your teenager more effectively – we can help with that, too! Regardless of the reasons you are looking for a teen counselor, we can help. We offer the therapy for teenagers in Miami or teen counseling online in Florida and would love the opportunity to meet you and your teen and help in any way that we can! It’s important to remember that teen therapy can be incredibly beneficial, and we can offer the support you need through counseling for teens in Miami!
Begin Counseling for Teens in Miami:
If your teen is struggling, or you know something is different with them, and you’re ready to get them support, then teen therapy may be the help that you are all looking for. We would love to be that support your teen and your family need as you journey towards better mental health and relationships. To begin teen counseling in Miami or online in Florida follow these steps:
Contact our Miami, FL counseling center- we offer in person or online therapy sessions
Request an initial appointment with an teen therapist
Start the process of change and better mental health for yourself and your teen
Other Counseling Services Offered at the Heard Counseling:
April Brown, LMFT and the Heard Counseling offers many different counseling services that fit your mental health needs for teens, adults, couples, and families at our therapy center based in Miami, Florida. We offer in-person counseling services or online therapy in Florida. In addition to teen counseling, they also offer postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety treatment, birth trauma therapy, therapy for moms, therapy for dads, infertility counseling, and therapy for women and families who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss. They also offer marriage counseling and couples counseling as well. Reach out to their counseling office to learn more about our services and how we can help you and your family feel better and happier.