Northern Virginia Adolescent Counseling and Therapy serving Manassas, Fairfax and Surrounding Areas - in Gainesville, VA

Adolescents generally find it difficult to eloquently verbalize their feelings. They are often overwhelmed and even confused by the number of complex feelings that come as they move toward adulthood. However, for teens, most conflicts involve differences between family members or issues over expectations of parents, in addition to peer and school pressures.

For adolescents, the approach of the therapist needs to reflect their current life experience. Therefore, "talk therapy" combined with other forms of therapy or activities, such as, play therapy, and role plays, usually proves to be more effective with adolescents. These forms of therapy allow symbolic expression of internal conflicts.

Their challenges may range from intentional and learning problems to abuse issues, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and family discord, to name only a few.

What to Do :

Immediately, when a problem or issue is noticed, parents should think about which type of adolescent therapy is most appropriate for their teen. Adolescent therapy may include a diagnostic evaluation, individual therapy and/or group counseling. Some of the characteristics that most frequently describe the need for adolescent therapy are:

                    Depression, sometimes resulting in suicidal gestures or attempts

                    Inability to form positive relationships with peers or adults may call for adolescent therapy

                    Oppositional and/or aggressive behavior toward parents and authority figures

                    Incidents of running from home and/or chronic truancy

                    Adolescent therapy is needed when youngsters engage in excessive risk-taking

                    Delinquent acting-out

                    Substance abuse also calls for adolescent therapy

                    Sexual acting-out

                    Lack of motivation regarding educational/vocational goals

> Please contact us by calling us at (703) 754-0636 or via email here to schedule an appointment.

> We also offer Support Groups for adolescents - please click here for more information.