Adolescent Therapy
Adolescence can often be a complicated time for both teens and their parents. In this period of life dramatic changes occur at physical, psychological, social, and emotional levels, and though it is a time of growth and vitality, it can also leave teens and parents feeling confused, anxious, and uncertain. For many adolescents there is an effort to grapple with their ambivalence around the reality and the wish for greater independence from their parents or caregivers. Additionally, it can be frustrating and frightening for parents when they believe their son or daughter is engaging in behaviors that are risky or counterproductive.
Getting Started
I typically meet with parents or caregivers to talk over the concerns they are having about their teen, and to gather background and developmental information that will help me to make an assessment. At the end of this process I would make a recommendation that we could discuss further.
Therapy
It can be helpful for adolescents to have a place to talk about their experience with someone who can help them sort out their thoughts and feelings. At times parents can help their son or daughter in that regard. However, for many teens the desire for privacy and their efforts to develop a sense of themselves as more independent can make it hard to open up in that way. This can be difficult for some parents as they may feel left out, and perhaps worried. I think it is often an appropriate goal in therapy with adolescent clients to help them and their parents to open or maintain productive communication.
Types of Problems
Talk therapy for adolescents can be used to help with a number of issues. I work with teens who are having trouble academically, are struggling with self-esteem issues, feel anxious or uncertain about their sexuality, are isolated or depressed, are experiencing grief or are encountering some kind of loss or transition. I also work with adolescents who are on the autistic spectrum.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Gregory Villalba, LCSW
2354 Post Street, Suite F
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 794-1578
[email protected]
Getting Started
I typically meet with parents or caregivers to talk over the concerns they are having about their teen, and to gather background and developmental information that will help me to make an assessment. At the end of this process I would make a recommendation that we could discuss further.
Therapy
It can be helpful for adolescents to have a place to talk about their experience with someone who can help them sort out their thoughts and feelings. At times parents can help their son or daughter in that regard. However, for many teens the desire for privacy and their efforts to develop a sense of themselves as more independent can make it hard to open up in that way. This can be difficult for some parents as they may feel left out, and perhaps worried. I think it is often an appropriate goal in therapy with adolescent clients to help them and their parents to open or maintain productive communication.
Types of Problems
Talk therapy for adolescents can be used to help with a number of issues. I work with teens who are having trouble academically, are struggling with self-esteem issues, feel anxious or uncertain about their sexuality, are isolated or depressed, are experiencing grief or are encountering some kind of loss or transition. I also work with adolescents who are on the autistic spectrum.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Gregory Villalba, LCSW
2354 Post Street, Suite F
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 794-1578
[email protected]
