Home Based Therapy for Teens. It is Straight Lit.
Written for parents. Prior posts have been geared to my adult clients for workplace concerns.
As a therapist, I can confidently say that home based (or in-home ) therapy is highly effective for teenagers. I spent the first seven years of my career working with teens. I found that traveling to different family homes to conduct therapy or case management was very successful for many individuals. Adolescence is a critical stage of development, marked by various challenges and emotional struggles. In-home therapy provides a unique and advantageous setting where therapy can take place within the teen's own environment, leading to increased comfort, openness, and ultimately; better outcomes. In this familiar setting, teenagers can build a strong therapeutic alliance with me, facilitating trust and rapport.
Teenagers are able to enhance their emotional well-being, and navigate life's challenges more effectively when conducted in a comfortable space that they feel grounded in. So, how can you help create a environment that is appropriate for in-home therapy? Here are my top tips to make therapy be enjoyable for your teenager.
Create the Space- In-home therapy is only effective if there is the space for privacy. Make sure that you have a spare office, finished basement, or work study for your teenager to feel respected by other family members about privacy. The teenager’s bedroom, open den, or foyer is not appropriate for therapy.
Don’t Act Zero Chill - I know it can be so exciting to automatically want to ask me how therapy went once the doors open. Please, don’t. Your teenager is most likely already looking for the escape route to their oasis (room). Let them have time to process what might of been a deep and very heavy session. They will open up when the time is right and they are ready.
3. Hugs & Affirmations- Therapy can be hard for an adult, even more so for a anxious teenager. Remember, give your kid a hug and remind them how proud you are of them; it is important. Even if they seemed annoyed at you.
- B. Jordan
