Adolescent psychotherapy
Adolescence, from 11 to 18 years old, is one of the most critical stages in the development of a person's psyche.
The psyche must cope with various tasks:
- Internal tasks: accepting physical changes, one's feminine/masculine identity, and the need to become independent.
- External tasks: recognizing and choosing belonging to new social groups, peer pressure, and understanding and accepting societal norms.
Unfortunately, almost 1 in 5 adolescents encounters mental health issues and cannot cope with them on their own.
For some, these issues manifest as unacceptable risk behaviors—such as alcohol use, smoking, and other forms of addiction. For others, they appear as emotional distress—like depression or anxiety. In some cases, it results in a mix of physical and mental disorders—such as bulimia or anorexia (eating disorders).
Psychotherapists have acquired the knowledge and skills to treat these young individuals, allowing them to effectively help adolescents develop the ability to cope with the tasks that have caused their breakdown.
Typically, the first visit is attended by both the adolescent and their parents, but for subsequent sessions, the adolescent comes alone. It is recommended that parents attend consultations once or twice a year to discuss the progress of recovery with the doctor. However, it is important to remember that the doctor respects confidentiality and will not disclose what the adolescent has shared.
