I’m feeling like nobody understands me, how will therapy help?
Therapy is a great way to learn how to teach others how to understand you. Although it may not seem like it right now, there are many people who have felt the exact same way you do. Your parents and family members were once teenagers and very likely struggled with similar thoughts and feelings. Being a teen today is tough, with social media and the internet being a guiding force in your life. It can be hard to manage school, friends, and family life as a teenager. Having a therapist to talk to and help you find a way to accept and manage your feelings, feel more confident with friends and family, and help others understand how to support you can be an awesome experience…and one that will help becoming an adult much less challenging.
How do I tell my parents that I need therapy?
Many teens choose to tell their parents that they are struggling with friends or at school and feel like counseling could help them manage these issues. Other teens may tell their parents that they feel sad or worried more often than they’d like to and that talking to someone might help them. While others might frame it as “not feeling good” kind of like when you need to see your doctor when you’re sick physically, but more as it relates to your thoughts and feelings. Just know that there are many teens who feel the same way and may feel scared to ask for help. Asking for help is one of the bravest things anyone could do. It’s often harder to ask for help than to try different ways to manage it yourself. However, if you feel like you need help, you probably do, and trusting yourself is the first step to feeling better!
What will my first appointment be like?
We will spend time getting to know each other and I may ask you some questions about what you have been going through. You will also be able to ask me any questions you may have about therapy, what therapy looks like, and how I might be able to help. Sometimes we may need to meet a few times before I can answer all of your questions, but within the first three meetings, we should have a good idea of how I can help you and if you feel comfortable working with me.
I’m having thoughts of hurting or killing myself, what do I do?
Tell someone. A friend, family member, cousin, neighbor, teacher. Someone. If you don’t feel comfortable telling someone, then call 1-800-273-TALK and speak to someone who can talk to you about what you are feeling The other options are calling 911 or walking or driving yourself to the nearest emergency room. Many people have thoughts or feelings of harming themselves when they feel stressed or overwhelmed. If you tell someone, you increase your chances of getting better and helping those thoughts go away. Your friends and family want you to be alive and safe, let them help you through this difficult time.