Individual Teen Therapy

I’m going to be upfront with you…

That’s the best way for us to work. Look, I’m a parent who’s had teenagers of my own, true – but I’m not YOUR parent.

I don’t judge. I don’t take sides.

I listen. You’re a young adult, and I’m going to treat you that way.

Your parents want you to be independent, but you feel controlled. Confusing, yes indeed.

You have pressures from friends, budding relationships, and pressure from parents. You’re juggling school, trying to fit in, and are insecure about certain things. You are not alone.

At times, all you get is a lecture from adults, they don’t want to hear what you have to say, or don’t understand it.

Why all the constant nagging and clichés?

They want to help, but it always turns into stories about how “when they were young…” They love you. They help support you, but that doesn’t help YOUR problems.

Often adults could very well be the ones who need some help, but you get the consequence. Perhaps you feel you are juggling too many things or trying to please too many people, yet it backfires.

All this while you are trying to make grades, friends, and interests. Everyone wants something; you want to feel better about yourself and be ACCEPTED.

One teen explained their social anxiety feels like an itchy sweater that was glued on, and they could not get it off! I think that is a brilliant analogy as much as it is unfortunate.

In this case, creating and facing fears of social interaction will allow me to help you remove the sweater a strand at a time.

It’s got to be your choice.

It’s vitally important for you to understand this – you should come to therapy because you care about YOURSELF – your well-being – NOT because anybody else is making you do it.

I’m not going to chase you around.

It won’t be long before you’re making all the decisions for yourself. It’s pretty cool to be ready for that, and I can help you figure it all out.

Where do you want to go?

It’s all about your future. I want to help you envision it – to see the rewards – and consequences – of the paths you may take to get there.

Sometimes, it may feel like you’re not in control of much of anything, but that’s not true. You can control more than you know.

How are we going to get there?

I’m here to help you understand the difference between what you can and can’t control and to support you through managing it all.

Sometimes, I’ll trust you; sometimes, I won’t. But that’s not a bad thing. Right now, you’re egocentric – not in a bad way, but egocentric in that you’re at the center of your world. It’s natural.

And you’re smart. You already know so much. And some of what you don’t know is only because of a lack of experience. Together, we’ll work through all of it – whatever your issues.

Up front – again…

Truth: YOU are incredibly special. YOU ARE.

Truth: You’re going through some challenging times. And sometimes, your parents honestly just don’t get it; even if they had tough times, their tough times weren’t anything like what you’re going through now.

Truth: That is what I’m here for – trained for – and helping make your future dreams into your reality is the greatest reward.

Sometimes teenagers are credited with the saying: “My parents got smarter as I got older.” Let me prove to you I understand and know the above statements are true.

If I don’t, you are always free to get up and leave – at any time. We will go through each challenge together – until you know you can handle it like I know you can.

Please call me at (203) 441-7060, ext. 701, or email cliffordlamotta@gmail.com.