Adolescents

Being a teenager has never been an easy developmental stage in life. There are so many pressures-the pressure to fit in and be cool, to do well in school, to say and do the right things. It can be challenging for adolescents to balance their social and academic life, especially for those with Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Learning Disabilities, Autism, and other issues (i.e. Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, etc.).

Teens can experience at least two contrasting parental relationships. Some teens view their parents as annoying and overly involved. They would prefer that their parents would simply “back off.” However, many teens also come from families where there is little support or interest in their daily lives. Adolescents tend to gravitate towards their peers during this time when they are struggling with their identity. They also are influenced by the media, which glamorizes a life of partying.

Danielle Jagoda, Marriage and Family Therapist, attempts to break through the illusions that have been created by many young celebrities. She also tries to bring in family support when it is available throughout psychotherapy sessions with teens. Danielle is aware that change is more likely to take place when the family is involved and “on board.” She helps teens and their parents create healthy boundaries, rules that are consistent / clear, and leave behind ways of relating that are not constructive.

Danielle helps teens figure out life’s major questions, such as “Who am I?”, “Who am I becoming?”, and “What do I value?” Because adolescents often feel powerless, voiceless, misunderstood, misheard, and / or misrepresented by their parents, Danielle creates an environment where they feel included and respected in the psychotherapy process. Her hope is to assist teens in becoming more self-aware so they are better able to make positive choices.