Adolescence refers to the period between 13 and 24yrs, from teenager to young adulthood. Early adolescence is a time of enormous physical, emotional, cognitive and relational change and transition. Sometimes this transition is smooth and sometimes it is difficult and distressing for both teenagers and their parents. I see my role as helping to navigate this transition while building a healthy sense of both self and relationships.
What exactly does that mean? I’ll take the example of an adolescent presenting with anxiety to explain. I initially meet the young person with both parents, where this is possible. This is to get a strong understanding of background and what brings the teenager to therapy. I then work to establish a respectful, attuned relationship with the adolescent within which we can understand their experience of anxiety. Anxiety has multiple symptoms; panic, overthinking, restriction, phobias, school refusal to name a few. Anxiety is also a response to life experience and when this is better understood it enables change. We can only change what we are aware of. I work collaboratively with the adolescent to identify and implement alternative ways of thinking, managing distressing emotions and healthy behaviours.
Late adolescence, or early adulthood, can present a unique set of challenges. The structure of education and peer support can fall away leaving uncertainty. It is difficult to establish a place in the world, and easy to feel lost. I see my role here as establishing a solid base from which to build. Then I work to identify what obstacles the young adult is facing, for example a lack of belief in their self or unhelpful relationship patterns. We then work towards replacing these with thoughts and behaviours that serve them better.
I am passionate about supporting adolescents, young adults and their parents and helping them navigate what can be a confusing and distressing time. I have experience working with;
- Anxiety
- Low mood
- Poor self-esteem/ self hatred
- Relationship difficulties
- Identity formation
- Disordered eating
- Self harm
- Suicidal ideation
