Online & Under Pressure: Helping Teens with Anxiety, Body Image & Self-Esteem
9
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Many teenagers today are growing up with a near-constant sense of being observed, evaluated and compared; online, at school and within peer groups. For some, this creates a background level of worry that informs how they see themselves and how they behave.
As they begin to experience the world more independently, they also become more aware of how they are seen. This shift can bring a little uncertainty or self-doubt. At times, this can steer them towards being overly self-critical and leading them to change themselves in order to fit in or feel accepted.
Becoming more aware of how they are seen can also make them more judgemental of others, creating a cycle of thoughts, feelings and behaviours that can be hard to break.
For some teens this shows up through appearance worries (concerns around body image are another expression of this wider process rather than the starting point.); for others it may be perfectionism, people-pleasing, withdrawal or a strong need to manage how they are perceived. Online environments intensify this, making comparison constant and self-worth feel more conditional.
This session is for parents who want to stay connected, supportive and influential as their teen finds their way. Rather than trying to remove pressure entirely, this session looks at practical ways to help teens feel more secure in who they are and less likely to turn anxiety inward as self-criticism.
Speaker
Gemma Allison
Dr
Dr Gemma Allison is a Clinical Psychologist with specialist training since qualifying in Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT). Her approach to therapy is to work collaboratively with clients from teenagers and their families to adults in a collaborative way, to identify a focus for therapy and to work together for an agreed number of sessions. Gemma employs CBT, CAT and DBT approaches in her therapeutic work, often an approach integrating different approaches is needed to treat a client’s psychological difficulties. She has a wealth of experience treating teenagers with a range of psychological difficulties in private practice.Gemma has experience of working in the NHS, including working in a specialist adolescent team within CAMHS and working with young people experiencing psychosis. She continues to work in the NHS as a lead psychologist for an adult inpatient mental health service.
Replays
See all
9
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM