From mental health issues, struggles with self-confidence, drug and alcohol experimentation, peer pressure, and navigating hormones and the first romantic relationships, the teenage years are rife with pitfalls. Having someone listen and offer advice may be the difference between a teenager safely negotiating the trials and tribulations of this time and forming unhealthy habits that could derail their burgeoning adulthood. Imagine Spokane’s teen relationship therapy program helps teens approach dating, sex, and meaningful romantic relationships with a healthy mindset.
Through our teen relationship counseling program, Washington teenagers will learn techniques for experiencing success in their relationships and, through our adolescent treatment programs, manage their emotional state too. Reach out to us online or call us 888.384.3143 to learn more.
What Is a Teen Relationship Therapy Program?
Our teen relationship therapy program in Washington will work to set teens up for healthy dating today and a lifetime of happiness in their most important intimate relationships.Â
The skilled counselors at Imagine Spokane work directly with teens ages 12-17 every day, and it probably will not be a surprise to learn that dating, sex, and romantic partnerships are topics that come up often. The benefits of a teen relationship therapy program are that we are able to help young people express themselves through the joy and pain they are experiencing in their relationships, especially intimate ones. While meaningful friendships are formed at a younger age, adolescence is when romantic and sexual relationships become a topic that dominates kids’ thoughts.
This time period in a teen’s life can be thrilling for them but, at the same time, prove a challenge for adults to handle. Watching teens begin to date and become sexually active, have their hearts broken, and need to manage adult scenarios can be scary and upsetting. Having skilled and experienced professionals in your teen’s life to offer guidance and teach foundational lessons about healthy relationships can make a huge difference when it comes to your teenager learning how to set boundaries, respect themselves and their bodies, and establish healthy dating habits.Â
Some of what our clients learn in a teen relationship therapy program include how to:
- Have meaningful relationships
- Stay safe while dating
- Recognize their vulnerabilities
- Observe abusive tendencies in partners
- Have fun in a healthy way
- Understand the dangers of social media
- Focus on self-care and mental health
- Safely end relationships
We want teenagers to have fun and meaningful relationships while all the while staying safe. Because teenagers are particularly vulnerable during their first forays into romantic partnerships, it is important to help them learn how to spot danger signs and abuse. Our teen relationship counseling program in Washington helps teach teen clients how to be safe and assists parents like you in providing teens with a private space in which to have these delicate conversations. We offer a supportive atmosphere for even the most reluctant teenager to open up, share, be vulnerable and grow in their relationships.Â
What Is Discussed During Teen Relationship Therapy Sessions?
Every teen’s path into their first romantic relationship is unique, but there are common themes and concerns that should be addressed in a teen relationship therapy program. Some of what we discuss with our teen clients include:
Dating Safely
Dating safely does not refer only to practicing safe sex. Dating safely also means taking care of your emotional state and mental health while in relationships. A teen relationship therapy program can be the place where a teen is set up for success in their romantic relationships while not losing sight of themselves, their needs, issues, and concerns in life.
Social Media Dangers
Social media is pervasive. While it can be fun and informative, it is also where relationship gossip, bullying, and peer pressure can flourish. Social media is a prominent place for inappropriate content to be shared and consumed. These images and videos can often distort a teen’s body image and give false versions of sex and healthy relationships. It is crucial for teenagers to know how to use social media safely and to decode what is flashing across their screens. Â
The Importance of Risk-Taking
From first showing interest in another person to asking them out for a date, making the first move, and asking for consent, dating involves taking risks. All of this will be new to teens. Having a skilled, caring therapist can help them take risks safely.Â
Handling Rejection in Relationships
Whether it is a crush who is not interested or experiencing the end of a relationship, rejection is always just around the corner for teens learning how to date. During this time, it’s important to support teenagers, teach them how to handle rejection in a healthy way, and allow them the space to be upset. Letting teens know that it is okay to feel hurt and validating their feelings will help them recover today and better manage rejection in the future.
Learn More About Our Teen Relationship Therapy Program Today
A teen relationship therapy program can be an excellent place for a teenager to learn, grow, and find proper footing for establishing healthy dating habits, managing their mental health, and feeling the joys of young love. Additionally, our teen relationship counseling program in Washington can help them articulate and receive the support they need. Don’t hesitate to call us 888.384.3143 or contact our team online. With vast experience in counseling teens and treating mental health issues in adolescents, Imagine Spokane is here for you and your teenager.