THERAPY

CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

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Sometimes as adults, we often forget what it is like to be a child and teenager. Adolescence has always been a complicated developmental period experienced when individuals transition from childhood to adulthood. It is defined by both essential and difficult changes including physical, cognitive, and social. These transitions trigger changes in the way they see themselves and the way that others see and treat them. This series of changes does not only impact the individual experiencing the transitions, but affects their parents or guardians, peers and their community. When you reminisce, you would probably agree that adolescence is an awkward period where one struggles to discover their own identity, seek autonomy, learn about sexuality, engage and foster new peer and romantic relationships. These things all contribute to the daily stressors that our youth face and often do not know how to appropriately cope with.

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As a parent and/or guardian, it can be difficult to watch as your child experiences struggles. You may only be prepared to handle the anticipated mood shifts and stressors that you thought were associated with being a teenager. However, there are times when those emotions or stressors may increase and progress to a level where therapeutic services may be beneficial. Working with a professional can give your child and/or adolescent a safe space to process and discuss their emotions and learn new ways to cope with those emotions. Even if your child is not experiencing significant struggles, they can still start therapeutic services to have someone to talk with and learn early on how to manage emotions and behaviors that may provoke issues in the future.

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ATHLETES 

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Sometimes as fans and parents, people often forget that athletes endure some of the same struggles and issues as them. There is a complicated developmental period experienced when individuals transition from student athlete to professional athlete, as well as transition from professional athlete to out of their sport. It is defined by both essential and difficult changes including physical, cognitive, and social. These transitions trigger changes in the way they see themselves and the way that others see and treat them. This series of changes does not only impact the individual experiencing the transitions, but affects their families, peers and their community.

Some athletes would probably agree that their first few years in a collegiate and/or professional organization is an intense period where one may struggle to discover their own identity, seek autonomy from family, face tremendous pressure to provide for their family, face negative temptations, engage and foster new romantic relationships that may be publicized, participate in risky behaviors, and struggle with finances. When transitioning out of their sport and organization, athletes may experience depression thinking that they are leaving behind the best years of their life, anxiety trying to figure out what they will do next, fear about not being prepared, and stress about no longer having their same finances and salary. These things all contribute to the daily stressors that athletes face and often do not know how to appropriately cope with. With assistance from a professional, they can learn the importance of maintaining positive mental health, effective coping strategies and self-care, so that they will be better prepared to handle the stressors that come with their growth in their sport. If an athlete feels good, is able to manage daily stressors appropriately, has regular support when needed, and is able to have a healthy athletics-life balance, they will be able to be a more effective player in their sport.