We love successfully improving the life of teenagers. Over the past 20 years we have treated a number of teenagers. We have gotten the feedback that they are connected to us and happy to talk to us. Pediatricians often refer adolescents to us as we like to collaborate with them and they get good feedback from parents and teenagers. The teenager years can be extremely frustrating for parents and teens alike. Parents recognize new issues are surfacing for their teens including technology, misbehavior, drama with friends, self-esteem, grades, etc. Once in a while their teenager may also experience depression or anxiety. Some parents feel unprepared to deal with these issues. Other parents want to help but may get push back from the teenager. The adolescent developmental stage includes teens becoming more independent and separating a bit from parents. So, this it can be frustrating for parents as it can feel that teenagers are not confiding in them, or just being reactive to feedback (back talk, misbehavior, etc).
In both situations parents will reach out to me for help. Our mutual goal is usually a healthier adjusted teenager. Teenagers usually look forward coming to talk to me. They feel I am authentic and empathetic while also giving them logic/boundaries. For some reason I tend to work better and more successfully with female teenagers. I feel that this may be due to the unique understanding that I have about the adolescent process from a female perspective. This usually translates to a healthier teen. At times, this means individual sessions between myself and the teenager. At times this means family sessions so that parents and kids can find common ground and discuss issues in a calm and safe manner. In rare occasions I meet with just the parent (s) for one or two sessions usually to discuss specific behavior issues.