In my experience one of the key themes of treatment when working with adolescents is “limits with love” which is derived from the book “Boundaries with Kids” by Dr. Henry Cloud. The main theme of this book when working with adolescents is how to navigate the line as a parent and when to incorporate healthy structure and boundaries versus when to promote and encourage freedom and expression. Again, not an easy task for parents and guardians on how to successfully navigate “limits with love”.
Adolescence can be a time of immense growth in all aspects of life.
This can be positive growth with positive support and love or it can be negative growth depending on criticism and lack of the supports available. Again, depending on how the daily interactions flow between adolescents and parents/guardians; can either foster adolescent core self worth or deteriorate it through the tough high school years.
As a former school counselor for 12 years in a Junior-Senior High School setting (grades 7-12), I am well versed in a variety of school issues and the public education system.
According to the ASCA (American School Counselors Association ) School Counselors primary focus is on 3 primary areas: Academic, Career and Personal/Social.
I agree 100% with ASCA both in School Counseling and in the Psychotherapy realm when working with adolescents and I will begin by focusing on social related issues.
Social issues are often the guiding force as it pertains to adolescents problems both in school and out. Adolescents feeling that they have friends or that they are connected with their friends is essential to positive self worth.
Below is not a comprehensive list but scratches the surface of possible student issues which can be helpful if addressed in psychotherapy:
A variety of social media related issues like bullying: bullying can be both direct or subtle (such as purposefully excluding someone in social media posts or pictures with peers), or someone did something inappropriate, threatening or provocative on social media and how this should be handled, dating, difficulty communicating with friends or family, assertiveness training, feeling unheard, misunderstood or excluded by family members, wanting to try something new but needing help getting started, how to ask for help when you need it, no one to sit with at lunch, locker or pictures vandalized, bus or bus stop difficulties, rumors being spread, not liking their schedule or teacher or school, academic struggles, hanging out with the wrong crowd-who might be using drugs or alcohol or practicing unsavory behaviors.
Personal issues: Another key area to be addressed with adolescents is personal issues. I want to normalize with adolescents that the are not alone and that millions of Americans and teens worldwide are experiencing strife. I hope to help adolescents push through this tumultuous time and help them flourish. Again teens and parents you are not alone in the struggle. With guidance, support, empathy and validation you will get through this.
Personal areas are any problematic area that an adolescent is having difficulty with. Personal or private issues can be very difficult for adolescents to disclose. My hope is to foster a calm-relaxed, sincere rapport, one as a compassionate facilitator that will assist teens in removing those barriers.
An important aspect is that I will support them and I may not have an answer to every dilemma but we can figure it out together via problem solving. Sometimes, just saying their problem out loud can be helpful-so that someone else knows how your feeling. Thus getting it outside of their head and being supported that they are not alone.
I may say something similar to what parent or teacher has already said but coming from me may reinforce and hold more weight.
Adolescents feeling disconnected or not heard from peers and parents is often a significant problem. Thus, I help teens see that they have an advocate and someone whom will represent them 100% and work as a mediator with parents and guardians. I am someone outside of their family whom will give them honest observations with no hidden agendas.
Academic: As a former school counselor, I am well versed in academic counseling. Academic stressors can be an integral part of adolescent stress.
I‘ve worked with thousands of students over the past 12 years as a school counselor. Often it is as simple as meeting with students and parents and coming up with a healthy balanced class schedule. One where the student is challenged but not to the point of struggling. So this process of scheduling looks different for every student. For some students it means all traditional academic classes and some that means all honors/Advanced Placement Classes. A third option is the blended approach as with most things in life, finding a middle ground is often ideal. This mixture or blend of honors/AP classes and traditional academic classes fosters students to take honors/AP classes that are passionate about. I encourage students to reach for those more rigorous classes; and if they are overly strenuous to then drop to a more manageable schedule, if needed, and to take comfort in trying.
In addition, special education services are available to support students through IDEA (Individual with Disabilities Education Act). Students whom are in need of additional supports and specialized instruction can receive said services via IEP’s (Individual Education Plans) and Chapter 15 Service Agreements. Moreover, Chapter 15 Service Agreements can be transferred and utilized in College and University settings as well, if needed.
Much of this is geared toward choosing a course path to reach a desired goal, career or career pathway. Recent buzz and topics is focused on the career clusters and career pathways which are a sequence of courses for students to begin thinking and planning for a desired career pathway. Again the goal is to find a healthy balance between rigorous classes/planning for your future and enjoying schools social or extra curricular activities.
Many local districts offer programs in school or outsource to hands on-applied career and technology centers like Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville. Forbes Road offers 17 skilled programs and trade programs which provides hands on training to develop the skilled worker. I highly encouraged students to utilize Forbes Road during my tenure as a school counselor. Forbes offers free training to students (paid for by the school district); because if adult learners go there they have to pay out of pocket.
Moreover, programs like Forbes Road CTC are reshaping the American workforce through the skilled trades because of the need for High Priority Occupations and Success in the New Economy which I will address further in the career section.
Career: Success in the New Economy is a wonderful video which outlines the changes in the economy and america’s changing workforce. It explains that many jobs are moving toward applied skills/hands on trades or students having a specific skill set or certification is the ideal path. And this skill set can often be learned in 2 year training programs or less and not every career or job requires a 4 year college degree. The common path for many graduating seniors has been a 4 year university setting, so shifting this outlook is going to be a process for educators, parents, and students alike.
I am a large proponent of any specific skill set/trade or certification i.e. any program where students can leave schooling with a specific certification to enter the workforce. However many adolescents aren’t interested in a hands on apprenticeship at 18 years old-just a few months after graduation. The thought of getting up at 5 am and working a hard labor position has left the skilled trades positions vastly underfilled.
What sounds more appealing to most 18 year olds graduating? Working hard or going to college and living the comfortable school lifestyle that they are accustomed to of class-homework-unlimited meals and dating?
I myself am a product of attending a 4 year college-it has turned out well for me. However, I believe in today’s economy recognizing there are a variety of routes available to students. Moreover, having a well informed plan when leaving High School is ideal. The days of students “figuring it out” in college are not ideal for most students because of the cost of post secondary education has drastically increased.
Moreover, Interest Inventories are a great avenue for adolescents and adults to visualize how interests align with careers; similalrly what we like to do we are often good at. Many interest inventories give career choices that align with the Holland Codes. The Holland codes are broken down into 6 codes via the abbreviation RIASEC: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. Each code gives a description of a career personality characteristic. The Holland Codes gives us a picture or snapshot of your career code. For instance my Holland code is Artistic, Social and Investigative or ASI. I think this is important to note because people typically don’t fit 100% in one area. We all have a multitude of skills that blend together to make up our career path and ideologies.