Finding Support to Help Troubled Teens in Texas

If you’re raising or taking care of a teen, one of the fears that you may have is that your teen will become a statistic. Usually, that’s meant negatively, whether it’s numbering among teens who drop out of school, teens who get involved with sex or drugs, or teens who turn to crime. The specter of these possible futures frightens parents and caregivers, and it can lead to dysfunctional parenting.

The reality is that some teens do find themselves in trouble. A parent or caregiver’s responsibility is to steward this young life, this precious gift from the Lord, and to try to nurture them and set them on the path they should pursue. Part of discharging this responsibility is setting healthy patterns in place, as well as being able to identify when a child is in trouble and needs support.

It’s important to know how to deal with your teen, and that includes knowing how to meaningfully support them when they are a troubled teen.

What is a troubled teen?

The term “troubled teen” is not a clinical term by any means, and it can conjure a variety of images that may be inspired by popular culture. A troubled teen can come in different guises, which means a parent or caregiver needs to be alert and discerning. It can be easy to miss the signs of trouble if you’re looking in the wrong places.

The adolescent years mark a deeply transformative and impactful stage of life, characterized by significant emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual growth. They are becoming the people they will likely be for the rest of their lives. That’s huge, and as you can imagine, for some teens, these vast changes can be overwhelming. These changes, or other life experiences, may lead to them becoming what’s known as a “troubled teen.”

A “troubled teen” isn’t simply a young person who experiences typical teenage mood swings or occasional flares of defiance toward authority figures. These are par for the course and part of what most healthy teens go through as they test boundaries, figure out who they are, experience hormonal and other bodily changes, and come to terms with life’s realities.

Rather, a troubled teen grapples with persistent behavioral, emotional, or psychological issues that significantly affect their daily lives, relationships, and overall well-being. These issues and struggles will often manifest themselves in patterns of distressing and challenging behavior that go beyond the usual annoyances of growing up and figuring out how life works as an emerging adult.

When parents and caregivers understand what it means for a teen to be troubled, they can begin to take steps toward providing the support they need to flourish and overcome the challenges they face.

Common Issues Faced by Troubled Teens

Some of the issues that can affect a teen have the potential to become persistent and disruptive concerns. These issues are often intertwined, affecting each other and in some cases worsening one another. A teen may be facing mental health challenges such as bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, anger issues, or a variety of other concerns that undermine their mental wellness and ability to function well.

A teen may also face challenging family dynamics that are overwhelming or difficult to untangle. These could include abuse, parental neglect or absence, parental divorce or separation, or a lack of guidance from a mentor or parents. These and other family experiences can create deep emotional turmoil that, if it persists, can be quite disruptive and damaging to well-being and wholeness.

Substance abuse, which may be used as a coping mechanism to deal with other life hardships, is another concern for teens. Experimentation with alcohol or other substances can escalate and turn into addiction that requires medical and other interventions to remedy. A teen may also become troubled as they deal with peer pressure and bullying. These realities can result in struggles with self-acceptance, identity, isolation, and poor self-esteem.

It is also possible for a teen to experience a spiritual identity crisis as they wrestle with questions of their purpose, faith, and identity. Confusion can set in, derailing their sense of self and relationship with the Lord. Wise, compassionate, and patient guidance is needed to help a teen navigate such challenging circumstances.

Lastly, academic pressure can disrupt a teen’s well-being. Whether they have high expectations of themselves, or their family and community hold these expectations, a teen can find themselves facing enormous pressure. This can lead to burnout, stress, and a sense of failure if they’re struggling to do all that is expected of them.

Signs to Look Out For

Being able to discern troubled behavior early can be a vital key to making successful and timely interventions. There are some warning signs to be on the lookout for, such as sudden and drastic changes in your teen’s behavior, social circles, or appearance. Other signs include lying and secretive behavior, expressions of worthlessness and hopelessness, and a sharp decline in their academic performance.

You can also look out for the signs of substance abuse, including unusual smells, tremors, or bloodshot eyes. Drastic weight gain or loss, withdrawal from loved ones, and discontinuation of activities they previously enjoyed are also signs to look out for.

Other possible signs that your teen is struggling are chronic disrespect and defiance toward authority figures, risk-taking behaviors like unsafe sexual activity or reckless driving, and unexplained mood swings or irritability.

Lastly, you can also look out for signs or evidence of self-harm or if they express thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

Support for Your Teenager

When a teen is troubled, there may be several things underlying those issues. Unresolved trauma can leave scars, while struggles with identity can undermine self-esteem and a sense of purpose. Not knowing who you are can also impact issues such as how you understand sexuality and how it functions in God’s world. Unaddressed mental health conditions can be the driver behind maladaptive coping mechanisms such as substance abuse.

Troubled teens dealing with large or complex concerns are never beyond hope or help. Just as the absence of an effective support system can lead to issues such as feelings of abandonment for a teen, having positive role models and a community that’s all in can make a huge difference in a teen’s life. It’s possible for their story to be turned around, and their lives to be changed forever.

Some interventions and ways to support troubled teens who are going through challenges include the following:

Mentorship Programs There are youth mentorship programs offered by community centers, churches, and other places. These initiatives are aimed at providing teens with positive role models who can present wisdom effectively and provide necessary support and a sense of belonging to the teens. Such programs and support groups, which offer a community of empathetic peers, make a difference.

Being Present There’s a lot to be said about the power of faithful presence in a person’s life. Being present and available to your teen, hearing their concerns, doing life alongside them, and being a sympathetic ear can provide a necessary outlet for your teen to talk about what’s going on in their lives. A trouble shared has been named, making it easier to begin tackling it effectively.

Seeking Help Some of the issues that a troubled teen is dealing with may be beyond the scope of a parent or caregiver to deal with effectively. Some concerns require not only psychotherapy, but medication as well. There are some things the trained eye can discern that an untrained one cannot. A professional Christian counselor or therapist can be the support your teen needs.

There may be instances when your teen might need treatment that includes residential treatment programs. Having structure and ongoing support is helpful when dealing with concerns such as substance abuse.

Therapy can be on an individual basis, but in some instances, family therapy, which includes the family unit in the therapeutic process, can help by addressing the dynamics that could be contributing to the teen’s distress. Your therapist, who may incorporate biblical wisdom and principles in the process of healing and self-discovery, can be an important part of your teen’s journey toward wholeness.

Christian Counseling for Troubled Teens in Texas

The Lord’s transformative power can make a difference in the lives of troubled teens in Texas. Whatever struggles they may be going through, there are options available to begin pursuing healing, peace, and fruitful growth that align with the purposes and work the Lord is doing in their lives. Contact our office today at Texas Christian Counseling to learn more about Christian counseling for troubled teens in Texas.