ADolescent Symposium

There have been some growing pains at Dallas Therapeutic Services. From the building being delayed approximately 8 months, having to constantly re-market the new opening date and explaining to clients the reason for landscaping construction outside - there have been a ton of changes. Slowly, however, in the last couple of weeks, we have begun to find a rhythm. Things are becoming cozy. Our Valentine’s Day mural is in full swing, giving people the opportunity to draw or write what they love about themselves for the wall (No names!!). Furniture and artwork are being installed.

What hasn’t changed is our underlying mission of wanting to understand our clients and better serve them no matter what. That’s why Zakia and Apree are spending the day at the Adolescent symposium with Kia’s 7week baby in tow! One of the things we found most interesting was how the adolescent brain interprets break-ups.

How many of us chalk teenage relationships up to fleeting, puppy love, a distraction, etc? It is easy to do. Today, however, we learned that the same way an individual would interpret a divorce from a 20 year relationship is exactly how a teenager interprets a breakup. Why then are we better at giving grace and understanding to the divorcee? The brain releases chemicals within a relationship, thereby making it so that we become addicted to the feeling of being in love. However, it does not see the difference between how those chemicals are released within a marriage or at the high school level.

Knowing things like this helps to understand ways of communicating with teenagers. Do not underestimate what they are going through. Try to avoid using phrases, such as there are plenty of fish in the sea or you are better off without them. All these do is undermine what they are feeling and identifies you as not being a safe person for the teenager to talk to. Try, instead, to sit with them in their pain, let them grieve and find ways of distracting them, such as spending more time with them, activities, etc.

Hope this helps for those parents struggling with teenagers out there!