Expert Teen & Tween Counseling - Supporting Young Minds on Maryland's Eastern Shore

Welcome!

The teenage years are a time of significant growth, change, and self-discovery, but they also come with unique challenges that are opportunities to identify their own values and beliefs, and that can provide the platform from which they launch into adulthood.  Providing teens, tweens and even young adults with the independence to solve their own problems, while also providing them with the support that allows them to feel safe is paramount to their success.  Our experts here at The Child & Family Center in Salisbury, MD are trained to help support this age group and their families navigate this important developmental passage.   

Here are the top 5 challenges teenagers commonly face:

• Identity Formation: Who am I? These are the years when children are in the process of developing their own sense of identity, separate from their parents or caregivers.  This is a time when they explore different aspects of their personality, values, beliefs, and social roles. Navigating this can lead to confusion and uncertainty, as teens may feel pressure to fit into certain groups or meet societal expectations.  Self-esteem often fluctuates during this period as teens compare themselves to peers, try to figure out where they belong, and question their worth.

• Peer Pressure and Social Acceptance can present big challenges during the passage from child to adult.  Many feel pressure to conform and a desire to fit in and be accepted by peers that can create intense emotions during adolescence. Many may face pressure to conform to group norms, whether related to fashion, behavior, or interests. Struggles with balancing their individuality while trying to belong are common.  Unfortunately, all too many teens experience bullying or social exclusion, which can severely impact their mental health, self-esteem, and social development.

• Emotional and Mental Health Struggles and Stress.  Adolescents often experience heightened emotions, making them more prone to mood swings, anxiety, or depression.  The emotional ups and downs are often tied to hormonal changes, brain development, and environmental stressors and not within their control.   Teens often face increased academic, social, and family-related stress, while still developing effective coping mechanisms.  Some may struggle with managing stress in healthy ways.

• Academic Pressure, Future Uncertainty, and Feeling Overwhelmed.  Academic expectations may feel intense. Teenagers and young adults often feel pressure to perform well in school and make decisions about their future. Whether it's attending college, preparing to enter the workforce, or choosing a career path, the uncertainty about the future can be overwhelming. Juggling the responsibilities of academic demands, extracurricular activities, social life, and sometimes part-time jobs also create stress.

• Independence vs. Parental Control.  Teenagers strive for independence and control over their lives. This desire often leads to conflicts with parents or authority figures as they navigate the push and pull between seeking freedom and still needing guidance.  Figuring out how much autonomy to grant teens while still ensuring their safety and well-being is a common challenge for both teens and parents.

These challenges make the teenage years a complex but critical time for development. Support from family, peers, and mental health professionals can help teens navigate these difficulties more effectively.

Would your Tween, Teen, or Young Adult Benefit from Counseling or Extra Support?

The teenage years can be turbulent, and it’s not always easy to differentiate between normal adolescent behavior and signs that indicate a teen may need counseling. If you're wondering whether your teenager might benefit from counseling, there are several signs to look out for that may indicate they are struggling emotionally, mentally, or behaviorally. While every teen experiences ups and downs, certain patterns or behaviors may suggest they need additional support. Here are the five most common signs that a teenager may benefit from professional support: 

• Persistent Mood Changes such as prolonged sadness or irritability.  If your teen seems unusually sad, withdrawn, or irritable for an extended period (weeks or months), it could be a sign of depression or anxiety. Emotional outbursts, tearfulness, or feelings of hopelessness that don’t seem to pass may also indicate a deeper issue.  Extreme mood swings, such as significant and frequent shifts between being overly happy and deeply sad or angry could suggest underlying emotional difficulties.

• Social Withdrawal, such as avoiding friends and family. Teens naturally seek independence, but if your child begins to isolate themselves from friends, family, or activities they once enjoyed, it could be a sign of emotional distress, depression or social anxiety.  If you youth is having difficulty forming or maintaining relationships, it’s worth exploring counseling. Struggling with friendships, experiencing bullying, or feeling rejected can increase the need for professional intervention.

• Changes in Behavior or Personality, such as acting out or becoming defiant. Sudden or escalating defiance, aggression, or rebellion against authority can be a sign of internal struggles. Engaging in risky behaviors like substance abuse, reckless driving, or skipping school is also a red flag.  Alternatively, if your once-outgoing teen becomes quiet and withdrawn or vice versa, it can raise concern.   Other teens struggle with self-image and struggle to maintain healthy eating patterns, and may show signs of a distorted body image, binge eating, bulimia or anorexia. Any of these changes may signal they are having difficulty coping with something in their life and may benefit from counseling and support to get back on track.

• Academic or School-Related Problems, such as a decline in academic performance or school avoidance.  A sudden drop in grades, lack of motivation, or difficulty focusing on school can point to underlying emotional issues such as depression, anxiety, or stress. Youth who did well in high school sometimes struggle at college without the parental and educational support that were previously available to them.  Frequent absences, skipping classes, or expressing fear or anxiety about attending school may be indicators of social anxiety, bullying, or academic pressure.

• Self-Harm or Talk of Suicide are always clear signs that professional help is needed.  Behaviors like cutting, burning, or any form of self-harm are clear signs that a teen is struggling emotionally and needs immediate professional help.  If a teen or young adult expresses thoughts of suicide, talks about feeling worthless, or mentions a desire to hurt themselves, it’s crucial to take these signs seriously and seek help from a mental health professional right away.  Don’t wait.

If you notice any of these signs in your teenager, counseling may be a helpful tool. Early intervention can provide your teen or young adult with space to express their thoughts and feelings, learn healthy coping strategies, gain the support they need to navigate their challenges and get back to emotional health.

Counseling for Today’s Youth is Unique…

Teens are often guarded or resistant to counseling, particularly if they feel forced to attend. Therefore, building trust and establishing rapport is a crucial part of teen counseling.  They need to feel understood and not judged to engage in meaningful therapy. Unlike with adults, counseling for teens involves careful consideration of what to share with parents. Therapists must balance maintaining confidentiality to build trust with the teen while keeping parents informed about significant issues, especially concerning safety. Counseling with this age group often addresses family and peer dynamics and the unique challenges teens face in their journey toward adulthood.  

Teens may be less likely to open up when traditional adult "talk therapy" formats are used. As a result, therapists working with teens often use different and creative techniques, such as art therapy, journaling, or incorporating technology, to engage them in the process.

Our Therapeutic Approaches at The Child & Family Center

Our Salisbury counseling team employs various evidence-based techniques tailored to each teen's needs:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Art & Creative Expression Therapy

• Mindfulness Techniques

• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

• Play Therapy for Younger Teens

• Family Systems Approach

Teen Success Stories from Our Salisbury Practice

(All details changed to protect privacy)

• A local high school student overcoming social anxiety to join school clubs

• A teen athlete returning to sports after depression treatment

• A family rebuilding trust through our parent-teen counseling

• A college-bound student managing academic pressure successfully

Our Caring and Compassionate Experts Are Here to Help

Our experts at The Child & Family Center understand that teens are often wary of authority figures and resistant to opening up with an adult.  Teens need to feel heard and understood.  Our counselors are trained to listen attentively, without interrupting or immediately offering solutions, so they can build a trusting alliance with your teen.  The therapists and counselors at The Child & Family Center are non-judgmental and use relatable language to help break down barriers.  Our team includes specialists in the developmental challenges unique to teens and their families and are here to help teens discover the core issues driving their struggles and chart a positive course forward.

Call Us Today and Support Your Teen’s Journey Toward Adulthood

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation now to see how we can help you get a new start on your teen’s journey. We’ll even provide you with coaching on ways to broach the topic of counseling with your teen so that it feels collaborative and positive to your teen.  We’re here for you.

What tweens, teens and their families have said over the years……….

Frequently Asked Questions About Tween and Teen Counseling