Behavioral Problems

Suzie is sixteen and has a difficult relationship with her parents. They see her as rebellious and she sees them as hypercritical and not interested in her life or sensitive to her feelings. Suzie often talks back, refuses to spend time with them and seldom does her chores. At school she has average grades, sometimes appears angry and withdrawn and has been sent to ISS a few times for being disrespectful to teachers. Suzie has been labeled as having behavioral problems.

Not all teens are rude or defiant, but some disrespect, leading to behavioral challenges is normal in this phase of their growth and development. Adolescents are learning to express themselves and test their own independence, as they move into young adulthood. Teens are also starting to think in deeper ways, with thoughts and feelings they’ve never had before. This coupled with mood and hormonal changes can often lead to challenging attitudes and behaviors towards parents and other adults in their lives. When normal adolescent behaviors spill over into aggression, destructiveness, lying or theft, substance use, or violation of rules, a disruptive behavioral disorder may be present and professional help should be sought.

As a Christian therapist, I assess teens to determine the origin of their behavioral issues. I seek to earn their trust and explore vulnerable core feelings and beliefs, teaching them about their identity in Christ and His love and grace for them. I also help parents understand the factors involved in these behaviors and teach them practical methods of connecting and engaging with their children in positive and affirming ways, in order to enhance the relationship.

Still being somewhat "young at heart" as I am, I believe I can roll up my sleeves and relate to teens and "tweens" on a level that many adults have left long ago. I enjoy kids and make them feel very comfortable using my sense of humor and empathy to help them open up.