Therapy for Teens in Utah: Coping with Change

Looking for therapy for teens in Utah? If you are parenting a teenager, you might feel lost and anxious about your teen and their behavior. Maybe you hear them talk about their anxieties and fears and you worry about how they will handle things in their future. Or maybe you feel like they are completely disconnected from you, and you’re wondering what happened. Parenting a teen can be hard! (Related article: Why Teens Struggle). 

Today, you will learn more about the common changes that your teen will face. Then, you will read about some tips for coping with these changes, and how therapy for your teens can help them adjust as they grow into adults.

Teen Development: What To Expect

As your child grows into a teenager, you might feel like you are parenting an entirely different kid! Teenagers go through a lot as they grow into adults. There are the more obvious physical changes that come with puberty, but teenagers also go through a lot of mental and emotional developmental changes during this very formative period. 

Let’s talk about some of these mental and emotional changes you might see in your teen. You might notice that your teenager starts to develop a greater ability to think abstractly, and that they begin to become very interested in their future and their bigger goals. You might notice that your teen becomes concerned with bigger systemic issues and asks lots of questions about social issues and philosophy. All of these changes are important parts of your teen’s development into adulthood. As your teen grows and matures, these abilities and skills will help them to successfully confront the new challenges and responsibilities that come with being an independent adult. (Source: Adolescent Development from 13-18). 

You will probably also notice some social changes in your teen as well. Your teen might begin to act more independently. They might seem more secretive about their friendships and plans. Also, they will start to assert more independence and control over their schedule and priorities. Your teenager might also become preoccupied with dating and romantic relationships, or they may begin to become more worried about social acceptance from others. As frustrating as this can be from a parenting perspective, these changes are normal and begin to prepare your teenager for future committed relationships, both romantic and platonic. (Source)Parenting Teens: Your Changing Responsibilities 

Putting It Into Practice

Now, these changes might sound easy enough on paper. But in practice these changes can be really frustrating and confusing for a parent! You might feel like you don’t know what to expect next from your teen. Or it might feel like they are deliberately trying to spite you or defy your rules and expectations. Some of this rebellion is normal and expected, as your teen tries to prepare themself to eventually leave home and begin their own adult life. But that knowing that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with as a parent! (Related article: Moody Teen? Here’s How Therapy Can Help).

As They Grow Older

Here’s an idea that might help make some of the transitions you are facing a little bit easier. As your child grows into a teen, your parenting role won’t change, but the responsibilities that are associated with your job as a parent will shift as your teen ages and develops. Think of it this way: when your child is young, you act as a sort of manager. When your child is in elementary school, they still have so much to learn! You probably had to help them navigate the most basic tasks, like getting ready for school, or bathing or feeding themselves. You create and manage their schedule and their hobbies. And all of that is a good thing: you are teaching them how to eventually take over these tasks on their own as they become older. 

However, as your teenager gets older they become capable of doing those basic things on their own. Your job will change from a manager to a consultant. Your teen can reasonably manage most of the day-to-day basics, so you might notice that you will begin to consult with them in a more collaborative, problem-solving way. And this is a good thing! Eventually your teen will be an adult be away from home. They will need the daily management skills to navigate their own responsibilities. Ideally, you can become a trusted advisor that they turn to for advice, guidance, and encouragement as they learn and make mistakes. (Related article: Reconnecting with Your Teen). 

Find Therapy for Teens in Utah

The good news is that you don’t have to navigate these changes all alone. In counseling, a therapist can work with you and your teen to help you figure out these new challenges and problem solve as a team. Ready to take the next step? Find therapy for teens in Orem, South Jordan, or Spanish Fork, or via Telehealth for anyone in Utah.

Written by Lauren Adkins