Dealing with adolescence
2006-05-11
ADOLESCENCE is often seen and experienced as a time of rapid growth and development, as well as potentially a time of confusion, experimentation and uncertainty.
Often young people want to, or are expected to, navigate the course of adolescence with little or no assistance or guidance.
Tracey Wood, a Clinical Social Worker and Psychotherapist working in Paarl, says that in her experience, the ever-present peer pressure adds an additional burden to our young people.
“They want and need to feel that they belong to their group of peers, but may not want to go along with or participate in particular behaviours or activities, but are afraid of saying no, and potentially losing their sense of belonging.”
Tracey says that young people need to know what their limits and boundaries are and that while having a sense of belonging may feel good in the immediate, there may be more severe consequences in the long term.
“However, we need to enable them to determine what their boundaries and limits are and what are healthy relationships.”
Tracey believes that young people, both those who are troubled and those who are “psychologically healthy” can benefit from having someone outside of their immediate support network to talk to and to share incertainties, experiences and ambivalent feelings with.
“However, often referral for such assistance only happens after a crisis has already occurred.”
Tracey will be running groups for Grade 11 and 12 girls, focusing on issues such as relationships - romantic, friendship and family relationships, and what makes up healthy relationships and establishing personal boundaries.
The groups will run once a week, in the late afternoon to accommodate sporting activities, over a period of eight weeks.
Medical aid rates will be charged. For more info, contact Tracey on 872-5827 or 083-440-7992.
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