Why working with teenagers is enriching

Working therapeutically with young adults is not always as scary as it seems

Teenagers are often branded as brash, difficult, and moody. Working with them is sometimes considered challenging and risky due to issues like substance misuse and criminal behaviours. It's easy to wonder why anyone would choose to work with a population that might require calls to the police or social services, dealing with irate parents, or even facing accusations. As a result, many professionals gravitate towards working with primary school children or adults, environments typically seen as safer and more predictable.

However, despite the potential challenges, I love working with young adults! For the most part, teenagers are incredibly knowledgeable and often make fabulous choices. Young people today have access to an immense amount of information, and there is a high expectation among their peers to stay informed. I learn the most from my teen clients—not just about the latest fashions and the ‘in’ language, but also about current political conflicts, the progression of the LGBTQ+ movement in media and schools, and their concerns about the financial climate.

Because young adults are on the brink of stepping into the real world and making significant choices, these topics matter immensely. I get to explore their world with them, seeing it through their eyes, which often opens my own eyes to things I hadn't paid enough attention to.

In this transitional period, everything is possible. New opportunities and learning experiences are happening simultaneously. You can go from discussing old family patterns and trauma to exploring sexual awakening, identity, the importance of religion, friendship dramas, whether to invest in economics or Geography, or if they should get that next piercing.

Watching a young person transition from an uncertain child to a confident adult is one of the most rewarding therapeutic experiences to support. The growth and development I witness in my teen clients are truly inspiring.

I’d love to hear others’ thoughts and experiences. How have you found working with young adults? What have you learned from them, and how has it enriched your professional journey?