Steven J. Schuetz, MS, LMHC

The process of negotiating adulthood is often a daunting one.  It is fairly common for parents get locked in what seems like a perpetual conflict with their teenage children.  Sometimes it seems as if these conflicts escalate to the point where parents even disagree with each other about how to handle the situation.  Finding new ways for parents and teens to discuss and communicate their needs and wants can be quite helpful.

Any number of isolated behavior problems can represent adolescent problems.  For example shoplifting, truancy, a fight in school, drug or alcohol use are just a few of the many challenges adolescents may face. Sometimes adolescents can't easily explain why they act the way they do. They may be just as confused about it as the adults that love them.  Sometimes they may even see delinquent behaviors as appropriate way to deal with the very real problems they may face.

Parents and loved ones may feel scared, angry, frustrated, or hopeless. They may feel guilty and wonder where they went wrong. All these feelings are normal, but it is important to understand that there is help available to troubled kids and their families.