Adolescents & Young Adults

Each stage of life offers its own unique challenges emotionally, physically, mentally, and socially. The years of adolescence and young adulthood can be especially difficult given the developmental needs of these age groups as they move toward greater independence and autonomy. Teenagers are crossing the bridge between childhood and adulthood while young adults continue to face increased pressure as they learn to live own their own and accept greater responsibility for their lives.

Much of what young people face is predictable and can be managed through positive parent support, healthy relationships, the process of learning from mistakes, and increased maturity. However, some of the challenges may require more than time and support from family and friends. Childhood trauma, divorce, loss of a loved one, persistent academic problems, difficulty finding or keeping a job, relationship issues or continued difficulty managing mood are signs that the adolescent or young adult may benefit from more structured and specialized support.

The struggles of an adolescent or young adult can affect the entire family, even if they no longer live in the home. Our hope is to work with the individual while considering the whole family. When working with teens, the counselors at Taking Root Counseling believe it is important to consistently involve the parents or guardians throughout the treatment process when appropriate. With young adults, the goal is to involve others who may be able to offer guidance, motivation, emotional support, and role modeling.