Helping teens
Bringing up the subject of mental health can be a challenge for both teenagers and parents. There is often a feeling of failure associated with experiencing emotions and thoughts that feel overwhelming and confusing and getting help can feel like a minefield!
How do I know if I need help?
Sometimes stuff happens and you feel like the world is spinning out of control! It's like there is a merry-go-round in your head, all the parts of your emotions are on a horse each and there's no way to get off, but you know this doesn't feel right.
Maybe your parents or caregivers have expressed that they don't really know how to help you either, and you are struggling to share what it is that you are battling with. So, here are a few things that might help them (and you), work out if it's time to come and see someone like Ros. You might feel some or all of these things, so keep in mind that they are just a guide to help you. A session with Ros can determine what's really going on and how to help you sort it all out.
If you are feeling any of these things, know that you are not alone. As you go through these teenage years, you're going to experience some stuff that is just plain weird! And you might find yourself dealing with a few things that you need a bit of help with too, and that's okay. What you're going through is more normal than you might realise and sometimes it's not even a mental health problem but seeing a professional can clear these things up, give you an action plan to work through it and help you regain control over your life.
What happens when I walk through that door?
First things first: well done for picking up the phone. It takes guts to take that first step and you need to know that you've done the right thing to help yourself move forward.
If you come to see Ros, she'll ask you a bunch of questions so that she can understand what you're going through and help you work out a plan to move forward. The more she knows about the merry-go-round you're experiencing, the more quickly she can help you slow things down and work out a strategy. So, here's how you can help her help you:
At the end of the first session, Ros will discuss a treatment approach with you before going any further. She uses a number of different approaches to help people, so yours may look completely different to someone else's, and that's a good thing - it's custom designed to help you.
Give Ros a call today and get started. Here's her number: 0414 915 951
To learn more about the specifics on what to expect with your first session, click here
How do I know if I need help?
Sometimes stuff happens and you feel like the world is spinning out of control! It's like there is a merry-go-round in your head, all the parts of your emotions are on a horse each and there's no way to get off, but you know this doesn't feel right.
Maybe your parents or caregivers have expressed that they don't really know how to help you either, and you are struggling to share what it is that you are battling with. So, here are a few things that might help them (and you), work out if it's time to come and see someone like Ros. You might feel some or all of these things, so keep in mind that they are just a guide to help you. A session with Ros can determine what's really going on and how to help you sort it all out.
- You feel continually low, not really happy - maybe even quite sad and you've been feeling like this for more than a few weeks
- You're worried about stuff that doesn't normally bother you. You feel afraid and anxious and don't know who to turn to
- You're struggling with things that are not usually hard, like homework, general performance at school, relationships with friends and family or just generally getting along with other people
- You notice that things really tick you off, more than seems normal to you, and you find yourself yelling at others or wanting to question everything and don't really feel like you have control over it all
- You're dog-tired, finding some nights you lay awake for hours, with loads of stuff whizzing around your head and making it impossible to sleep
- You've thought about hurting yourself or have unexplainable impulses to hurt others
- You feel afraid of things that don't make sense and it really bothers you because you can't work it all out
If you are feeling any of these things, know that you are not alone. As you go through these teenage years, you're going to experience some stuff that is just plain weird! And you might find yourself dealing with a few things that you need a bit of help with too, and that's okay. What you're going through is more normal than you might realise and sometimes it's not even a mental health problem but seeing a professional can clear these things up, give you an action plan to work through it and help you regain control over your life.
What happens when I walk through that door?
First things first: well done for picking up the phone. It takes guts to take that first step and you need to know that you've done the right thing to help yourself move forward.
If you come to see Ros, she'll ask you a bunch of questions so that she can understand what you're going through and help you work out a plan to move forward. The more she knows about the merry-go-round you're experiencing, the more quickly she can help you slow things down and work out a strategy. So, here's how you can help her help you:
- Be honest. There's no point sitting down with a psychologist if you don't feel you can open up and tell them the truth. Remember that she is there to help you, so be as honest as you can be and as accurate as possible.
- Relax. Seriously! There are no men in white coats coming to drag you away! You can get comfy in your chair, talk, draw, and express what's going on in a safe, friendly and welcoming environment so make the most of it.
- Commit to the process. Your first session is often the most challenging because you're going to start talking about some stuff that might have been buried under a house full of brick walls. On the flip side, the more committed you are, the more benefit you'll get from the process.
At the end of the first session, Ros will discuss a treatment approach with you before going any further. She uses a number of different approaches to help people, so yours may look completely different to someone else's, and that's a good thing - it's custom designed to help you.
Give Ros a call today and get started. Here's her number: 0414 915 951
To learn more about the specifics on what to expect with your first session, click here