Many of my patients’ parents have an expectation of complete obedience. They tell me things like, “She just doesn’t listen,” or, “He doesn’t have any respect for the rules.” These discipline failures turn into blame games—the parents blame the adolescent and the adolescent complains about the parents.
Read MoreMany teens see emotions as something that interferes with their lives and must be strictly controlled. These teens, some of whom I see in my practice, do not have a working understanding of the usefulness of emotions. Often, part of their therapy is educating them about the importance of emotions and why acknowledging them is useful.
Read MoreYour teenager starts to explain his perspective and you immediately hear the flaws in his logic. The next natural step is to point out the problems with his reasoning followed by an overwhelming temptation to give advice — even though you know that the conversation will end in frustration and disappointment. Yet, you live with the faint hope that today might be different; today he will listen and understand.
Read MoreMiami Teen Counseling offers counseling and therapy services to families and teenagers in the Miami Dade area and treat a variety of issues such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, peer-pressure, marijuana use, drug abuse, anger management, stress management, addictions, and bullying.
