Let's be honest: being a teenager is harder than it used to be. Between social media, academic pressure, navigating friendships and identity, and a world that feels increasingly uncertain, today’s teens are dealing with a lot, and many of them are struggling in ways that aren’t obvious from the outside.
If your teen has become more withdrawn, more irritable, more anxious, or just “different” in a way that concerns you, it might be time to bring in some outside support. This isn't always a reflection of your parenting. It’s a recognition that sometimes kids need a safe space to talk to someone who isn’t Mom or Dad.
What We See in Teens
The teens we work with are dealing with things like anxiety that interferes with school or social life, depression or persistent low mood, family conflict and communication breakdowns, academic pressure and perfectionism, friendship and relationship struggles, low self-worth or identity questions, grief, loss, or difficult life transitions, and the effects of social media and digital technology on their mental health.
Every teenager is different, and we don’t treat them as a category. We treat them as individuals with their own stories, strengths, and struggles.
How We Work with Teens
Therapy with teenagers requires a different skill set than therapy with adults. Teens need to feel like the therapist is genuinely on their side, and not an extension of their parents’ agenda. At the same time, parents need to be informed and involved in a way that’s appropriate.
There are different courses of action you can take to help your son or daughter. Sometimes the best course of action is for your child to meet with a therapist alone. Other times family counseling is best. Sometimes it's a combination of both. Your therapist will provide a recommendation after getting to know you and your child.
If your child is nervous about seeing a "Christian counselor," that's really understandable - it's hard to know what you're going to get. While we won't avoid topics of God and faith, we also know that your child is forming their own relationship with God, and we want to respect that process. We'll never use the Bible against them or to try to control them, simply because we don't think that's how God works. Our job is to come alongside them and help them develop, always supporting, sometimes helping them take a hard look at themselves. Here's more about how we approach faith and counseling.
For Parents
If you’re reading this, you’re already doing something right. Recognizing that your teen might benefit from professional support takes humility and courage. We’ll work with you to figure out the best approach, and we’ll keep you in the loop without compromising the trust your teen needs to do the work.
Stonegate Counseling is located in Watkinsville, GA, serving families from Athens, Oconee County, and beyond for over a decade.
Stephanie, Donna, Hannah, and Ryan are all accepting teen clients now. Contact us and we’ll help you find the right therapist for your teen.
If your teen has become more withdrawn, more irritable, more anxious, or just “different” in a way that concerns you, it might be time to bring in some outside support. This isn't always a reflection of your parenting. It’s a recognition that sometimes kids need a safe space to talk to someone who isn’t Mom or Dad.
What We See in Teens
The teens we work with are dealing with things like anxiety that interferes with school or social life, depression or persistent low mood, family conflict and communication breakdowns, academic pressure and perfectionism, friendship and relationship struggles, low self-worth or identity questions, grief, loss, or difficult life transitions, and the effects of social media and digital technology on their mental health.
Every teenager is different, and we don’t treat them as a category. We treat them as individuals with their own stories, strengths, and struggles.
How We Work with Teens
Therapy with teenagers requires a different skill set than therapy with adults. Teens need to feel like the therapist is genuinely on their side, and not an extension of their parents’ agenda. At the same time, parents need to be informed and involved in a way that’s appropriate.
There are different courses of action you can take to help your son or daughter. Sometimes the best course of action is for your child to meet with a therapist alone. Other times family counseling is best. Sometimes it's a combination of both. Your therapist will provide a recommendation after getting to know you and your child.
If your child is nervous about seeing a "Christian counselor," that's really understandable - it's hard to know what you're going to get. While we won't avoid topics of God and faith, we also know that your child is forming their own relationship with God, and we want to respect that process. We'll never use the Bible against them or to try to control them, simply because we don't think that's how God works. Our job is to come alongside them and help them develop, always supporting, sometimes helping them take a hard look at themselves. Here's more about how we approach faith and counseling.
For Parents
If you’re reading this, you’re already doing something right. Recognizing that your teen might benefit from professional support takes humility and courage. We’ll work with you to figure out the best approach, and we’ll keep you in the loop without compromising the trust your teen needs to do the work.
Stonegate Counseling is located in Watkinsville, GA, serving families from Athens, Oconee County, and beyond for over a decade.
Stephanie, Donna, Hannah, and Ryan are all accepting teen clients now. Contact us and we’ll help you find the right therapist for your teen.