Adolescent Issues

The teenage years are a time of turmoil and confusion for many. The growing desire for independence conflicts directly with the inborn instinct to seek parental comfort and support. Throw in the rapid physical changes, hormonal fluctuations and unrelenting peer pressure, and you’ve got a recipe for an adolescent meltdown.

One of the most common complaints of teens is that their parents don’t understand them … and in many ways, they’re correct! This creates a feeling of isolation as communication becomes more and more strained. Many parents have expressed the desire for an interpreter to explain what their teens are saying and a mediator to referee the conflicts.

This is exactly the role that Randall McNeal can play as a family counselor. He is fluent in both “teenspeak” and “parentspeak,” which allows him to communicate effectively with both parties - and provide interpretive services where necessary. Then, through solutions-oriented counseling, he creates an action plan to help everyone get back to speaking the same language. Issues that can be addressed in adolescent counseling include: