Teens and Young Adults

Teens and young adults have many ways to communicate emotional distress.  They may exhibit problems in some or all of the following realms:  social, emotional, behavioral and academic.  Such problems often interfere with a young person's sense of well-being and capacity for development.  If these problems do not resolve with time and support from parents, teachers or friends, then professional assistance can be effective.

Social Problems  

  • Feel confused about their identity and are uncertain about their future

  • Do not know how to make or keep friends

  • Join negative social circles to find companions, community and a sense of safety

  • Engage in conflict with others at school or in the family

  • Withdraw from social relationships

  • Cling to their parents because they are fearful about independence

Emotional Problems  

  • Feel very unhappy, worried, or frightened for reasons they cannot explain

  • Exposed to overwhelming, stressful situations that tax their ability to cope

  • Have negative attitudes toward themselves and cannot feel good about who they are, even though others can observe their obvious talents and abilities

Behavioral Problems  

  • Cannot channel their energy and creativity in ways that develop their potential

  • Acquire rituals or phobias because they feel helpless in difficult situations

  • Act meanly or aggressively because they cannot control their actions and cannot find other ways to express their feelings

  • Are restless or cannot concentrate because they have not acquired skills to maintain confidence and calmness

  • Turn to self-injury as a way to numb out or self-soothe

  • Abuse drugs or alcohol to feel better because they are depressed or anxious

  • Develop eating disorders as a way to manage difficult feelings they cannot verbalize

academic Problems

  • Struggle to understand academic concepts difficult life experiences

  • Can't learn in school because they are preoccupied with thoughts or feelings

  • Failing grades, missed or late assignments or resistance to homework completion