How Does Counseling for Teens Work with Leslie Baker?

Adolescence is a challenging period of transition between childhood dependence and adult independence. During this period teens begin to separate from their primary caregivers and connect more with their peers. In addition, they also begin to develop their own separate identity by trying out new behaviors, acquiring new experiences, and making their own decisions. During this time teens often talk less with their parents about the issues with which they struggle such as sex, chemical use, body issues, and conflicts with peers or love relationships.

To avoid embarrassment or parental displeasure, they will seek the answers to these questions from any source (peers, social media, the Internet). Leslie Baker, teen counselor in Pleasanton, provides teens a safe place to ask their questions, sort through the issues, find ways to stand up to peer pressure, develop decision-making skills, and keep the lines of communication open between parent and teen. Our goal is to intervene before worrisome signs of behavior become serious problems.

Teen counseling at Leslie’s office in Pleasanton supports the prevention of later difficulties by helping to keep teens focused on personal growth, achievement and the creation of their own personal happiness.

Worrisome signs that a teen may be experiencing difficulty with challenging situations are:

• Acting-Out Behaviors: Chemical use – Sneaking – Lying – Anger outbursts – Non-compliance – Defiance
• Internalized Behaviors: Anxiety and fears – Crying and sadness – Withdrawal from peers – Isolating from family members
• Challenging Situations: Separation or divorce of parents – New school – Grief or loss of pet or loved one – Peer conflicts, bullying, cyber bullying – Questioning their sexuality – Academic pressures – Self harm (suicidal thoughts, cutting) – Trauma abuse, date rape, assault

Through teen counseling sessions, Leslie in Pleasanton helps teens make progress towards these important developmental markers:

• Understanding rules, boundaries and responsibilities
• Making and keeping healthy friendships
• Navigating social media in a responsible and safe way
• Building decision-making skills versus impulsive choices in the moment
• Connecting with their strengths and learning their weaknesses
• Developing future goals along with the steps to achieve them
• Finding areas of interest and passion and the promotion of teen self-esteem