Teens who are resilient bounce back better from adversity and grow into healthier adults. They usually have a strong support system and get along well with their families. They practice positive coping strategies when troubles or stress arise. Resilient teens are optimistic and feel better about those around them. While some teens are naturally resilient, other teens need a little help getting there.
Difference Between Traditional Psychotherapy and Holistic Psychotherapy
If you are a parent figure to a teen who needs to be a little more resilient, then psychotherapy may help, but you must find the right program for your child. Traditional psychotherapy focuses on helping the teen with specific symptoms that they are experiencing. Meanwhile, holistic psychotherapy focuses on promoting well-being. While there can be some minor differences, traditional psychotherapy traditionally follows a set of prescribed steps that are carried out over a specified period, rather than teen is ready for the next step or not. Meanwhile, doctors practicing a holistic approach let feedback from the teen and those around them determine how long treatment lasts. While stopping particular behaviors is the desired outcome in traditional psychotherapy, producing a well-rounded teen is the desired outcome of holistic psychotherapy.
Mind-body Connection
Traditional psychotherapy is often called talk therapy, but some teens do not benefit from discussing their behaviors and why they do them. Meanwhile, holistic psychotherapy can involve several techniques to incorporate the mind, body, and soul in the healing process including:
- Mindfulness – Meditation, breathing exercises, or body scan techniques may be taught to help the teens become more aware of themselves and how they are feeling.
- Energy healing modalities – Reiki, acupuncture, or chakra balancing may be taught to the teen to help them realize how their bodies are holding negative energy and how to release it.
- Creative expressive therapies – Teens often have trouble talking about how they are coping, so dance, music, and art therapies can be useful in helping them release pent-up emotions.
- Behavior techniques- Teens may be taught and have opportunities to practice new behaviors.
Family Environment
Resilient teens usually have a healthy family around them. Therefore, holistic psychotherapy involves the whole family in learning new ways to cope with stress and other mental health conditions. This enhances communication between family members. Furthermore, when adults demonstrate adaptive coping strategies, teens are more likely to adopt similar approaches when faced with challenges. The holistic doctor creates a collaborative space where everyone can understand and practice new ways of coping with stress and other mental health conditions.
In fostering resilience among teens, the family environment plays a pivotal role. Resilient adolescents often emerge from healthy family dynamics, and holistic psychotherapy recognizes the importance of involving the entire family in the healing process. By cultivating a collaborative space for learning and practicing new coping strategies, holistic psychotherapy enhances communication, strengthens family resilience, and contributes to the development of well-rounded, resilient teens poised for a healthier transition into adulthood. Get started today by contacting your local psychotherapy office to set up an appointment. Your teen depends on you.