Teens counseling 13-18, does it help?

WHY

HOW

WHO

As teens become more independent, they begin to push boundaries. This is a normal part of growing up. However, when a teen’s disrespectful or disruptive behavior seems out of control, parents and caregivers may wonder if a teen’s behavioral challenges are a sign of a more significant issue.

Cyti Psychological provides parents and caregivers with the insight and guidance they need to navigate the adolescent years. Our care specialists offer 24/7 support, providing a resource that is always available when families are overwhelmed with challenging behaviors.

The licensed professional therapists at Cyti Psychological offer specialized support, including individual and family therapy, to help teens and their families as they navigate the adolescent years. Whether your teen’s behavior is typical or a symptom of a mental disorder, the team at Cyti Psychological is here to help.
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Types of Adolescent Challenges We Treat

Parents and caregivers can benefit from the guidance of a licensed professional in the teen years, even when their adolescent’s behavior falls under normal boundary-pushing and desire for increased independence. Changing needs and behaviors are always tricky to navigate, but with the right support, you and your teen can see eye to eye and improve communication.

The therapists at Cyti Psychological offer guidance for parents looking for better strategies in promoting their teen’s mental health or dealing with more significant behavioral concerns, such as:

At-risk behaviors
Criminal acts
Defiance
Self-harm
Aggression
Anxiety
Attention struggles
Mood swings
Sleep issues
Substance abuse

Providing both the convenience and flexibility of live telehealth visits, the experienced therapists at Cyti Psychological offer the support you need when you need it.

Half of all severe adult psychiatric disorders present symptoms by age 14. However, proper diagnosis and treatment may take 6-23 years. Patients with undiagnosed mental health disorders may be more likely to engage in destructive and illegal behaviors.

Mental illnesses most common in adolescents are anxiety, mood, attention, and behavior disorders.

ADHD

Anxiety

ODD

Conduct Disorder

DMDD

Mood Swings

BPD

Substance Abuse

How Do I Know If My Teen’s Behavior Is Normal?

Teens are notorious for being moody, impatient, and wanting to spend less time with their parents and family members. While these behaviors are typical, parents and caregivers may still desire support to navigate this change in their teen’s demeanor. Behaviors that teens exhibit that can be warning signs for a more significant issue include:

Aggression
Stealing
Destroying property
Abusing a sibling
Staying out all night
Getting arrested
Verbally abusing or threatening others
Violence
Substance abuse

Teens acting out in these ways struggle to solve problems or communicate their needs. When teens exhibit these behaviors, they may also have an undiagnosed mental disorder or lack the tools to navigate their daily lives appropriately.

What Risk Factors May Affect a Teen’s Mental Health?

Mental illnesses often have a genetic role, making them more prevalent in teens who have a family member who also experiences the symptoms of a mental health disorder.
Medical conditions can also cause disruptive behavior, including neurological disorders, such as traumatic brain injury, infections, and systemic illnesses.
However, many mental health challenges teens face may result from their environment. For example, a child raised with significant parental conflict and instability may develop borderline personality disorder. In addition, a child who suffered abuse may develop post-traumatic stress disorder.

Mental health and behavioral challenges often occur together. However, not all teens who exhibit disruptive behaviors suffer from a mental health disorder. Mental health conditions that may affect a teen’s behavior include oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD), and borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

ODD is among the most common behavioral disorders diagnosed in children and adolescents. ODD symptoms include angry outbursts, defying rules, regularly making spiteful and hurtful remarks, and behaving with verbal and physical aggression. Behaviors associated with ODD include:

Struggling to control temper
Regularly arguing with adults
Refusing to comply with rules or requests
Resentful or spiteful acts
Refusing to take the blame for behaviors
Deliberately agitating or annoying others
Becoming angered or annoyed easily

The disruptive behaviors of teens suffering from ODD often worsen when they’re around people they know well, such as family members or regular care providers.

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)

Teens with the symptoms of DMDD may be persistently angry or irritable. They may have regular angry outbursts at home or school and exhibit physical and verbal displays of anger. DMDD symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of ODD. However, DMDD is more severe. Patients with DMDD exhibit more extreme outbursts and more social impairments than those with ODD.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Teens with symptoms of BPD may exhibit a pattern of struggling with their relationships. They may be impulsive and unable to control their irritability and anger. Teens with BPD symptoms may also be very emotionally sensitive and reactive. They may attach themselves to a person, only to retreat completely after a perceived slight.

Treating teens for behavioral challenges may require a multi-faceted approach. A quality treatment plan typically starts with a comprehensive evaluation so the teen’s mental health professional can thoroughly understand the teen’s condition and any co-occurring disorders.

One common approach in these situations is an integration or combination of therapeutic modalities which may include individual and family therapy, training to improve a teen’s social skills, treatment for any other co-occurring disorders, and medication, as needed.

Treatments for Behavioral Challenges

Treating behavioral challenges and disorders can be complex, as some patients with ODD respond well to positive parenting techniques, and others require more comprehensive methods. Some treatments for behavioral challenges include:

Parent management training to train caregivers to manage behaviors
Individual psychotherapy
Family psychotherapy to foster communication and understanding
Cognitive problem-solving skills training
Social skills training

Finding the best treatment plan for a child and their family requires the support and guidance of a trained professional.

Does Behavioral Therapy Work Online?

Behavior therapy not only can be done from the comfort of your own home, but it is often more effective this way. A main component in the success of any therapy is a safe, comfortable environment for the patient. Additionaly, treatment from home often means we are addressing issues in the same environment where the behavior is taking place. Giving adolescents the opportunity to be treated at home makes virtual therapy an ideal solution for Behavior Therapy.

Cyti Psychological therapists are dedicated to providing high-quality therapy to anyone, anytime, anywhere. Our fully licensed therapists are available to provide Behavior Therapy and other types of therapy 24/7.

No matter what you’re going through, You’re Not Alone.

Couples

Couples & Premarital Therapy

DBT

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing

Trauma | PTSD

Trauma-Focused Care Clinic

Family | Parenting

Ages 3 - 12

Family | Parenting

Ages 13 - 18

Gender Care

Gender Identity Therapy

Eating Disorders

Anorexia | Bulimia | ARFID

Pain Clinic

Chronic Pain Management

Cyti Psychological Provides the Support You Need

If you’re struggling with your teen’s behaviors, you don’t need to navigate these challenges alone. Cyti Psychological helps anyone, anytime, anywhere, with care specialists available 24/7 to connect you with a licensed therapist experienced with your struggles. Give yourself and your teen the tools needed to thrive. Reach out to Cyti Psychological and schedule now.

Cyti Psychological is a passionate, dedicated and experienced provider of therapeutic care services for families and individuals dealing with mental health conditions. We understand that seeking treatment can be difficult, so we work hard to make the process easier for every patient.

Kari Peel

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Ashley Laube

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Clint Edwards

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Mariam Pandes

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Patricia Kovars

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Our licensed therapists and psychologists are highly trained in the treatment of trauma and genuinely care about your wellbeing. All treatment plans are tailored to the individual and intended to help you progress at your own pace. Working together, we’ll help you heal your trauma and recapture the joy in life.. You deserve to thrive moving forward.

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