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What Is Teen Relationship Counseling?

teen relationship counseling

Parenting a teenager is both challenging and rewarding. Each day can be a merry-go-round of emotions as your child tries to navigate their intense feelings and the stressors that come with being a teen. You know that effective communication is key to supporting them through their rough times, but your efforts to connect might seem to make things worse. Teen relationship counseling in Boise can help keep the lines of communication open between you and your teenager.

Call Imagine Boise today at 888.597.2807 for more information about teen relationship counseling.

Who Needs Teen Relationship Counseling?

Teens struggling with behavioral or mental health disorders need functional relationships with their parents. Sadly, the very issues they are dealing with can also alienate them from their best source of support and understanding.

In a teen relationship counseling program, the emphasis is on improving the family system, including instruction in effective communication and discipline. The goal is not to change the teen’s behavior but to strengthen family relationships.

Any family whose child has experienced grief, trauma, substance use, behavioral or mental health issues can benefit from teen counseling in Boise. When communication has broken down between children and parents, it helps to have a neutral moderator that every family member can trust to understand them.

Shouting or going silent only leads to greater misunderstanding and hurt feelings. In counseling, all family members have a chance to be heard.

With the help of an experienced therapist, the family can negotiate new terms that satisfy everyone’s needs. Keeping the lines of communication open helps create a better family dynamic now and teaches teenagers how to function better in all of their current and future relationships.

Teenagers often act out of frustration. Hormonal changes can contribute to strong emotions, but young adults don’t yet have the life experience to balance those emotions. Having strong communication skills will improve their self-confidence and help them advocate effectively with teachers and other authority figures.

What to Expect from a Teen Relationship Counseling Program

Research has shown that therapy can be highly effective for helping teens with ADHD, depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and behavioral issues. However, counseling isn’t always an easy process, though it is helpful. Just as life with a teenager can be full of ups and downs, so too can be family therapy.

You can expect any of the following when you begin a teen relationship counseling program:

  • Feelings of uncertainty and being nervous
  • Resistance
  • A long “getting to know each other” period as family members build trust with their therapist.
  • Honesty–your teen may say things you don’t want to hear
  • Planning–the therapist’s goal is to help the family plan out new approaches to old problems
  • New skills for resolving conflict
  • New skills for improving communication
  • An in-depth evaluation of the teen’s mental health
  • Family education

You will also be given homework. Your therapist will assign tasks that provide family members the opportunity to practice the new skills they are learning outside of the counseling office.

Practicing communication skills may seem uncomfortable or even unnatural at first, but it helps everyone fully integrate the new strategies they learn. If or when conflict does arise, family members will be better prepared to handle problems effectively.

Imagine Boise Offers Teen Counseling in Boise

If you think your family would benefit from teen relationship counseling, Imagine Boise is here for you. We understand that parenting can be difficult in the best of times. Our highly-qualified team of providers is committed to providing a safe, supportive environment where teens can receive the treatment they need to get back on track.

Call Imagine Boise today at 888.597.2807 to learn more about how a teen counseling program can help your teen get on the right track to healthy relationships.