You can’t run away from your problems without running into more problems…
Many times when our teen clients experience discomfort, the natural tendency is to avoid.
Friend drama? Pretend it doesn’t exist
Parent conflict? Isolate in your room
Too much school work stress? Shut down and don’t do it
The problem with avoidance, though is that the problem doesn’t go away.
And it gets bigger and bigger… as do the consequences of not approaching it.
Think about it…
What happens if you’re still self-harming in your thirties?
Or, avoiding work every time you’re anxious when you’re 25?
Avoidance as a long-term strategy simply doesn’t work.
At the teen support center, we teach our clients to TOLERATE discomfort.
We want you to be prepared for life’s ups and downs that include leaning into the unknown.
Expect it
Understand it
Learn how to LIVE with it
It’s like learning how to want ice cream without actually eating ice cream.
You CAN experience and acknowledge your urge without acting on it EVEN when it’s uncomfortable.
It’s hard and it doesn’t always work, but that’s why tolerating discomfort is a practice.
It’s also why you need more than just a distraction skill or two to cope with hardships.
You can only cope for so long before the emotion and urge take over.
You need to be able to feel the feeling without letting it overcome you and direct your behavior.
And it works when you work it…
The proof is in the RESULTS.
Our teen clients are celebrating multiple months without self-harm and we’re excited to support them in the skill-building steps that prompted this progress.