Our counselors offer counseling for teens in Providence, RI

My go-to approach when working with teenagers is to put them in the driver's seat of their sessions. Some might find it difficult to get teenagers to engage in counseling, but I love working with teenagers because they have so much to say! When teenagers can have a supportive, nonjudgemental space to process feelings, learn new skills, and explore their values as they transition to adulthood, I believe it gives them the resilience to face all of the challenges that come with that transition!

In teen counseling, I enjoy helping teens learn strategies such as:

• Identifying thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations in the body associated with different emotions
• Building a “coping strategy toolbox” to be built with the honest feedback of the teen in order to give them sustainable, accessible, and effective ways of coping
• Communication skills to encourage teens to ask for support
• Decision-making processes to help teens identify goals, boundaries, and expectations

I know a teen is making meaningful progress in counseling when they share experiences of self-validation, empathy, and mindfulness for others' experiences, and share times when they were able to understand their symptoms and find a coping strategy to apply towards them.

Teens can make the most of what they learn in counseling by having some way to document their progress and experiences, whether it's a dedicated journal or something as quick as the notes app on their phone! Having a go-to “coping strategy kit” that's accessible can also help them feel prepared. In the world of social media, teens also have great access to different resources and supports that validate their experiences and make them feel less alone. It can encourage and motivate teens to continue to work towards their goals.

To prepare for counseling, teens can identify two or three areas where they want to see changes or improvements. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions! An ongoing dialogue is one of the most valuable things to help a clinician understand you and help you work towards your goals.