Abuse

Abuse can come in many forms: emotional, physical, sexual. Teens who have survived abuse can experience deficits in their attention, impulse control, and their decision-making skills. Emotion expression and regulation can become quite difficult for them. They might engage in unsafe behaviors in order to cope, and are more susceptible to low self-esteem and other mental health concerns.

The therapists at Relate Family Therapy and Counseling work with teens and their families to address the effects of the abuse the teen experienced. Often the survivor of abuse is left with messages that they are devalued or damaged, but this is not the truth. Therapists can help your teen realize their worth and tap into their resiliency to rewrite those narratives into ones of strength, survival, and acceptance.