How to engage resistent teen in therapy?

Answer 1

You didn't go into specifics, but take the circumstances into consideration and try not to make the therapy and the reasons "all about him". If he is the only one that is being asked to participate, and feels he is forced to in addition to that, he will most likely feel resistant or even rebellious.

Try to be non-judgemental even if you don't feel that way. The problems of the teen are affecting the entire family, thus the family may unknowingly be contributing to or allowing certain negatives to continue thus keeping the situation status quo or even amplifying the effects. If the family does not consider their part in the problem, the teen may feel as if he is being singled out as the cause of all the problems. Participating as a family unit would really give him a feeling of the love, support, care and concern that you have for him, individually, and for him as a part of the family. As a bonus, the family has the opportunity to voice concerns in a supportive environment and hopefully learn more about each others thinking, feelings, how to respect each one as an individual, and come to some conclusions as how to better function as a family unit. While participating, he may begin to see the benefits, and may even decide to continue on his own. Or he may benefit from the family counseling in a way that he feels comfortable continuing on an individual basis if he needs to.

Those teen years are so difficult, and it made me look back to my teen years and those of my friends in retrospect. I have just in the last few years come to the stark realization of what an incredibly hard job it is to be a parent and raise a happy and health child.

Good luck. Let your child know he has and will continue to have your support and the support of the family, NO MATTER WHAT!

Answer 2

First of all you need to know yourself that in order to help anyone you have to understand that the person in question has to be open to receiving help. Since they are not open to therapy then you should just simply tell them the truth. For instance explain that it is better that they have someone who they can talk to who will be able to help them better understand themselves. Lets face it no one really knows themselves well enough to develop the heightened self-awareness that is why all therapists have their own therapist this way they ensure that they can also help themselves. If the teen in question is still apprehensive then have them go for three or four sessions and try it out if it does not work then look for a therapist that will meet the teens needs, not all therapists believe in the same module and thus each one has a different take on various aspects of human development and processing. Try to match the teens needs with the therapists expertise. I hope that helps Good Luck!

Answer 3

are you asking as a therapist or as a parent?