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Adolescents (like children) can feel depressed or anxious, or behave in ways that concern parents, teachers and friends. Their behavior may be a reaction to temporary stresses such as divorce, death, trouble in relationships, or schoolwork. But it may be symptomatic of deeper issues which reflect earlier developmental strains or traumas.
Psychoanalysts are highly trained mental health professionals who facilitate an array of techniques to help understand and address these needs.
Psychoanalysts approach each situation individually:
- They respect each adolescent as unique within a family and community, balancing the delicate need for confidentiality versus safety.
- They help parents respond to their adolescent’s difficulties.
- They help adolescents and their parents understand how the past shapes the present and how it can influence the future.
- They help adolescents remove obstacles to the development of their skills and competencies so they can become happier, more caring, productive and creative.
- They may consult with the teachers and school to support this therapeutic work.
Adolescents and parents may feel anger, confusion, guilt, shame and frustration as they struggle to understand their problems. Psychoanalytic treatment can promote resilience and security so the teenager can face the challenges ahead with a stronger sense of self.
Modified from “All About Psychoanalysis for Children and Adolescents” APsaA
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