Individual therapy with adolescents often focuses on the difficult transition from childhood to adulthood.
Adolescents are exploring issues of Identity (Who am I?, Where do I fit in?). Their developmental task is to slowly separate from their parents in order to become an autonomous, fully functioning person.
Unfortunately separation often takes the form of rebellion, non-compliance and acting out behaviorally, emotionally (with anger), or through drugs/alcohol. On the other side of the coin, adolescents can become withdrawn, depressed, struggle with self esteem issues and can “shut down” emotionally, motivationally and/or socially.
In an effort to become independent, adolescents often engage in destructive behaviors (toward others or towards themselves) rather than constructive behaviors.
The goal of working with adolescents is to help them find themselves, sort out their feelings of confusion and promote healthy development.
