It’s a scary time to be growing up. Teens and parents are bonding over that

This article perfectly illustrates what I mean by existential angst. Teens have it in spades. They are literally worried that the planet earth will become uninhabitable and that they or their children will be doomed. This is not an exaggeration. With the steady flow of bad news, and I mean really bad news which threatens their survival, no wonder teens are scared and anxious. They have little or no control over the situation while they see adults dither and do virtually nothing about climate change, gun violence, school shootings, social injustice-on and on it goes. Teens are frustrated and sick and tired of social isolation resulting from the pandemic. They are being hit by a perfect storm of harsh realities, all happening at the same time.

I have a speciality in counseling teens. I loved the work I did as a therapist on the Youth Crisis Stabilization Unit at Nationwide Children's Hospital. I provided counseling for suicidal teens. I understand from former colleagues that there is a waiting list for teens trying to gain admission to the Youth Crisis Stabilization Unit because the number of teens in distress is so high. The supply of beds and staff cannot keep pace with the need. I like working with teens because I feel that if I can make a positive impact on their lives at an early age by helping them through a crisis, it may have a life-long impact. Also, I have found that teens are often more amenable to change than adults are. I have discovered that they are often hungry to speak to a caring adult who actually listens to them. Often, parents and other adults in their lives do not actively listen to teens; they are more inclined to instruct than to listen. I listen and then I make suggestions in a trauma informed way.