Counseling for Teens (Ages 13-18)

The teenage years can be challenging for both teens and their parents. Adolescents face many struggles such as peer pressure, hormonal changes, academic expectations, and parental pressure, all while trying to discover their own unique identity and find worth and significance as a person. At Christian Families Today, we offer a safe place for your teen to talk through their struggles and emotions while learning how to navigate problems in a healthy, Biblical way.

Common Reasons Parents Bring Their Teens For Counseling

Teenager is not getting along well with parents
Teenager is failing school
Teenager is acting out in school
Teenager is adjusting to parent’s remarriage and new roles
Teenager is grieving the loss of someone who has died
Teenager is depressed
Teenager is habitually dishonest
Teenager has little respect for authority
Teenager is improperly using technology (porn, sexting, bullying etc.)
Teenager is adjusting to parent’s divorce
Teenager is exhibiting behavioral problems and/or changes
Teenager is in trouble with the law
Teenager is struggling with gender or sexual identity
Teenager is eating too much or too little
Teenager has very low self- esteem
Teenager harms herself/himself (cutting or burning)
Teenager has a lack of motivation
Teenager is struggling with peer problems
Teenager is struggling with shyness/social isolation
Teenager is fearful and worried
Teenager has been abused sexually or emotionally
Teenager has suicidal thoughts
Teenager is struggling with obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors

How Does Adolescent Discipleship Counseling Work?

When you decide to bring your adolescent in for counseling, the first appointment scheduled will be between the counselor and the parent(s) or legal guardian. This gives the counselor a chance to hear the issues from the perspective of the parent and ensure comfort with the counselor and counseling process. At the second session, the counselor begins meeting independently with the adolescent, and the parent attends as needed. The conversations between the teen and counselor are private and confidential; however, the counselor will periodically provide general updates on issues covered in the sessions. We recommend all parents go through the discipleship counseling process allowing both adolescent and parent to relate the same concepts to life situations that arise as counseling progresses.