Life is full of challenges and many of the same issues that effect adults are also present in the lives of young people.  One of the hardest parts of living in a fast-paced world is learning how to navigate all the dynamics at high-speed.  Youth are challenged with learning how to manage all of life’s factors, while at the same time undergoing significant physical, emotional, mental and spiritual changes.  Navigating relationships with family, friends, teachers, bosses, romantic partners, and yourself is a big job, that can simply become overwhelming.  Learning to handle the increased demands and responsibilities of adulthood, while at the same time still needing support, can feel unfair and at times impossible.  Because it is such a transitional time, young people often find themselves feeling powerless, frustrated and disoriented.  When these feelings are prolonged they can lead to issues of anxiety, depression, aggression, and moodiness, as well as unhelpful coping strategies like violence towards self or others, substance abuse and addictions.

From my experience with young adults and teens over the last 20 years, first as a troubled teen myself, then as a youth mentor, and now as a psychotherapist, I have learned that respect and guidance from adults in the community is crucial for young people to make a healthy transition into the adult community.  Youth today are often challenged with the task of exploring who they are in a culture that seeks to define and contain them with “likes” and the fear of being disliked.  As a result, many young people are forced to grow-up quickly and “become something” without the benefit of knowing much about themselves or their needs.  This is especially the case when they spend their time managing disruptions or turmoil at home, sorting through complicated feelings, or when there has been traumatic experiences that cut them off from the parts of themselves necessary for growth.

It has been my experience that any young person, any person, can completely change their lives by learning how to be in relationship with their emotions, manage their personal boundaries, properly use their energy and power, decide what is an important use of their time, and how to set and achieve goals.

This approach can:

• Help you build the skills necessary to meet the everyday challenges of life.

• Help you clear past traumas and heal emotional wounds.

• Help you decide what relationships are worth your time and energy.

• Help you be grounded and firm in your decision making.

• Help you learn how to manage major life-crisis or changes.

• Help you learn to care for yourself with love and respect.

• Help you learn how to co-create your future and make your visions a reality.