ADOLESCENT & FAMILY THERAPY

There is an old saying that it is not just the teenager who goes through adolescence but the whole family. No less than the teen, parents are exposed to powerful forces that can destabilize their peace of mind and sense of self and authority. Unresolved psychological issues from a parent’s own adolescence can get mobilized. I help teens and parents to recognize these forces and develop strategies for surviving conflict that engender self-esteem and strengthen a family’s ties and relationships.

With teens, I tailor my approach to the particular (and very different) developmental needs of early, middle or late adolescence. Middle and late adolescents often express a desire to have a psychological space in which they can reflect on who they are becoming in the world and how they are managing the problems associated with a period of such rapid development. Within that protected space, I help teens to develop their capacity to think about their experiences, feelings, impulses and values.

Parents want their children to grow into responsible and well-integrated adults, but often find it hard to strike the right balance between granting freedom and requiring responsibility. I help parents to navigate the art of raising responsible adults, while staying connected to their teens in meaningful and life-sustaining ways. I remind teens who are angry – and parents who are frustrated or scared – that separation does not mean the end of a relationship, but the beginning of a new life-long one based on mutual respect for each other’s differences and similarities.