Working with Anxiety and Self-Doubt in Teens and Young Adults
Teens and young adults face unique challenges that require a different therapeutic approach than what I use with clients in midlife. Many of my younger clients come in struggling with anxiety, self-doubt, and a deep sense of shame about parts of themselves they believe are flawed or unworthy. After experiencing rejection—whether from family, peers, or romantic partners—they often see their pain as something to hide or destroy. They try desperately to change or banish these parts in hopes of becoming more acceptable to others. When I speak compassionately to these wounded parts, it’s not uncommon for them to react with revulsion—they’ve been taught to see these parts as disgusting or weak.
In our work, we focus on helping them build a different kind of relationship with themselves—one rooted in self-awareness, acceptance, and skill-building. I use a combination of parts work, behavior-based strategies, and body-awareness tools to help them notice their emotional cues, reflect on their reactions, and tune into their own intuition. While it takes time to earn their trust, young people are remarkably resilient and eager to feel better. Once they feel safe, they often engage enthusiastically in creative methods like drawing, role-playing, music, and poetry—powerful tools that help them express their inner world and begin to repair their relationship with themselves.