TEENS

Teen Therapy at Patch Counseling: Supporting Teens and Their Families

Being a teenager has always been challenging, but today’s teens are facing an unprecedented set of pressures. The rise of social media, academic competition, extracurricular demands, and post-pandemic struggles have created an environment where stress and overwhelm are more prevalent than ever. As a parent, it can be difficult to know how to best support your teen as they navigate this complex phase of life. At Patch Counseling, we’re here to help.

We have extensive familiarity with the unique challenges faced by teens in the Poway Unified School District, including both middle and high schools. We understand the academic rigor, the high expectations placed on students, and the toll juggling school work, extracurricular activities, and social pressures can take on your teen. Our goal is to offer a compassionate and collaborative environment where teens can develop the skills they need to manage these pressures and thrive.

Helping Teens Navigate Adolescence

Adolescence is a crucial time of self-discovery, emotional growth, and identity formation. However, it’s also a period where teens can feel overwhelmed by the demands placed on them. Many teens struggle with:

• Academic stress: Balancing homework, tests, and extracurricular activities can feel impossible.

• Social pressures: Navigating friendships, peer relationships, and the influence of social media can cause anxiety and self-esteem issues.

• Emotional regulation: Hormonal changes and the stresses of daily life can make managing emotions difficult.

• Identity formation: Teens are exploring who they are, and this process can be confusing and sometimes isolating.

At Patch Counseling, we offer individualized support to help teens develop the emotional resilience and coping strategies they need to handle these challenges. We use a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and compassion-focused therapy to teach teens valuable skills like:

• Distress tolerance: Learning how to manage uncomfortable emotions without feeling overwhelmed.

• Boundary setting: Developing healthy boundaries to balance responsibilities and social pressures.

• Stress management: Understanding the stress cycle and learning ways to complete it through mindfulness, connection with safe people, and asking for help without guilt or shame.

Supporting Family Dynamics

We recognize that the teen years can create friction within families as teens seek more autonomy and independence. Our goal is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space for teens to explore their identity while also supporting parents in understanding and responding to their teen’s needs.

Parent-coaching sessions are an integral part of our approach. These sessions help parents learn more effective ways to communicate with their teens, set realistic expectations, and create a supportive home environment. During these coaching sessions, we:

• Teach parents how to listen and respond in ways that promote openness and trust.

• Provide strategies for supporting their teen’s emotional needs.

• Help families navigate the balance between autonomy and necessary guidance.

By working with both teens and their parents, we aim to strengthen family connections and foster a collaborative approach to navigating adolescence.

A Compassionate Approach to Therapy

Our approach to teen therapy is rooted in compassion and understanding. We know that each teen is unique, and we work to create a therapeutic space where they feel safe and heard. We prioritize building trust with our teen clients, empowering them to take ownership of their personal growth and helping them develop skills that will serve them throughout life.

In addition to one-on-one therapy, we work closely with families to ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to supporting the teen’s development. This holistic approach helps teens feel understood and supported both in therapy and at home.

Helping Teens Thrive

At Patch Counseling, we are dedicated to helping teens and their families navigate the complexities of adolescence. We provide the tools, support, and guidance needed for teens to manage stress, build healthy relationships, and foster a strong sense of identity.

If you’re looking for an experienced team to support you and your teen, Patch Counseling is here to help. We offer therapy services in San Diego, Rancho Bernardo, and Poway, California. Contact us today to schedule your complimentary consultation.

We can help.