Which signs are easy to mistake for ordinary teenage behaviour?
The clinic’s post on teen mental health lists five signs which can pass for typical teen behaviour:
- persistent anxiety or mood swings
- difficulty sleeping or concentrating
- withdrawal from social situations
- perfectionism and a fear of failure
- low self-esteem despite achievements
Perfectionism and low self-esteem can sit alongside good results. Pressure on high-achieving teens features in the post, so a strong report card does not settle the question. Underneath the behaviour, its author sees a young person who feels overwhelmed, misunderstood or unsure how to cope.
The child psychology page gives a shorter test: ongoing anxiety, low mood, behavioural changes or difficulty coping with a stressful event. If a change in mood or behaviour affects school or home life, the page says a child psychologist can help assess it.
Why do teenagers in Dubai hide how they feel?
The post points to pressure stacking up: academic expectations, extracurricular commitments, worries about the future, social media exposure, comparison and cultural dynamics. It adds a further point: many teenagers do not know how to ask for help or fear it will be read as weakness.
Biology plays a part as well. The child psychology page says the brain areas which regulate emotion and behaviour are among the last to mature. It describes adolescence as a period of rapid physical, emotional and cognitive growth in which young people form their identity and values. Anxiety, depression and behaviour problems are, in the clinic’s words, not uncommon.
What does a child psychologist do with a teenager?
Work starts with an initial consultation, in which the psychologist assesses the difficulties and concerns. The psychologist and young person then build a shared understanding and set clear treatment goals before an evidence-based intervention begins. Younger children may use play or drawing, and teenagers usually work through talk therapy.
The post says the work can cover unhelpful thought patterns, emotional regulation skills, social media exposure and digital stress, and communication within the family. At Young Valens, clinicians adapt CBT for children and adolescents when clinically appropriate, and parents join in where needed. Weekly sessions in the early stages help build the relationship. Later sessions may be weekly or fortnightly, and the psychologist reviews progress towards the agreed goals regularly.
How do you raise it with a teenager who says they are fine?
The child psychology page gives specific advice. Tell your teenager who they will see and why, in a calm, compassionate and age-appropriate way. Reassure them the psychologist is there to listen, not to get them into trouble. Pick a quiet moment when they are calm, and give them time to take it in and ask questions.
The page also asks you to respect privacy as teenagers get older. How much you take part depends on the nature of the difficulties, your child’s age and their preferences, and you agree your role with the psychologist. After the first appointment, praise the effort it took and talk about what came up. The page warns against putting pressure on your child about therapy, because it can make them disengage.
What if you are worried about your teenager’s safety?
Do not wait for an appointment if you fear your teenager may harm themselves. The clinic has no dedicated out-of-hours hotline, and its advice in an emergency is to attend the nearest Emergency Department.
Book a consultation at Young Valens
Read about Young Valens or the clinic’s child psychology service, then email info@thevalensclinic.ae to arrange a first consultation. Every Valens clinician holds a licence from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) or the Community Development Authority (CDA).