Adolescent psychotherapy

Adolescents and young adults

Concerns in adolescence are often related to problems of self-esteem, difficulties in relationships, pressure in studies, mood swings, and difficulty in regulating emotional life. A teenager may have an adult-like sense of judgment but he/she is still like a child in many ways on an emotional level and needs support from his/her parents.

Difficulties in development and environmental pressures may manifest in many different ways. These can lead to withdrawal, worsening school performance, anxiety, tension, nervousness, irritability, and impulsivity. Eating disorders, excessive gambling, or substance use are also common symptoms.

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+34 660 292 424

You can call us or write an email. We'll be happy to hear from you!

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It can be difficult for parents to maintain contact with a young person if the confusion and crisis of adolescence are accentuated and the young person defies the parents. The environment at home can be tense at times and the young person, and the parents, may have moments of insecurity or intense emotions.
In the first visit to the LAPSI Centre, the concerns of the young person and the family are heard, and afterwards an intervention plan is considered. Sometimes a single visit is enough, but if necessary, more visits are proposed to also define the diagnostic assessment and treatment.

During adolescence, parents will need to be attentive if the following situations occur:

Neglects his/her appearance and hygiene

Is constantly irritable, sad and tired

Has trouble regulating his/her emotions and controlling behavior

Starts getting poor grades in school

A young person who has been positive and communicative in the
past withdraws, isolates him/herself and does not relate to his/her friends

Avoids eating with the family

Has noticeable weight loss

Repeatedly endangers his/her safety or self-harms

Comes home under the effect of substances on several occasions

Sometimes to give a good answer in these situations it is necessary to receive help and specific guidelines.

Adolescence

Adolescence is a time of great change. At no other stage of life it is possible to change a person’s personality in such a decisive way.
The development of the adolescent’s personality is linked to adaptation to major physical changes, the development of sexuality, independence from parents, and maturation.

Identity development is based on childhood experiences and identification with people who are considered role-models/important people for the adolescent. In late adolescence, the identity is consolidated.
The new identity of the young person is formed and this entails giving up one’s childhood self-perception. This phase is a challenge for both a young person and his/her parents. The development of identity requires that the young person be able to try things out, see, reflect and choose between different options and different ways of thinking. Adolescents need support to begin to compare the values of the family and the rest of the world.

Identity is formed by interacting with other people and requires feedback from others. The parents’ role and support is essential. The opinions of the group of friends influence the perception that a young person has of his/her position in social relationships.

He/she builds an image of him/herself largely on the basis of the attitudes of others. Identification in groups increases self-esteem and the sense of belonging. As the adolescent becomes independent, the need for similarity turns into a search for individuality. The adolescent can then trust his/her own opinions and values and live in accordance with them.

Adolescents and young adults who have achieved a stable identity can study and work without problems. In addition, they will be well prepared to form friendships and close relationships.

What we do at LAPSI

In the first visit to the LAPSI Center the concerns of the young person and the family are heard and an intervention plan is then considered.

A single visit may be sufficient but, if necessary, more visits are considered to define the diagnostic assesssment and treatment. Sometimes individual or family psychotherapy is necessary.

Parental counseling and support visits can address parenting issues and concerns. These include, for example, support for parents in complex situations, educational challenges or concerns related to the growth and development of the young person. Psychoeducation is also offered on adolescent mental health disorders, as well as psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatment.