Written by Guest Blogger: Josie Bromby
Teen counseling is a difficult subject. It comes with strong emotions for both parents and children. The teen has gotten to a point where their thoughts and emotions have dysregulated normal life and as a parent, it might make you feel powerless. It’s frustrating to think you can’t help your child, but it is completely normal (and healthy!) to seek external help. Counseling is like setting a broken bone; you wouldn’t expect every parent to know how to set a bone, so why would you expect them to automatically know how to counsel their child through depression, anxiety, and a multitude of other issues adolescents face these days? If you’re looking for help for your child, it means you’re a good parent. You want them to be cared for.
Chances are, your child feels strange about seeking counseling as well. I’m sure many of you remember times when you wanted to talk to someone about what you were going through but had no idea who that would be. There may have been moments when you wanted help, but didn’t necessarily want to ask your parents. Despite the fact that your kids are growing up in a different world than you did, many of their thoughts and feelings are the same. A biblical counselor will act as a mediator for those feelings. They will help your child articulate and process their thoughts in a safe space and help bridge the gap in parent-child communication over time.
It’s been my experience that most teens suffer from misidentification. Anxiety and depression are symptoms of a larger issue. They’re losing sight of the permanence of their identity in Christ and it’s spiraled into a point where they don’t know how to realign themselves.
It’s much better to catch the problem earlier, and a good counselor will provide objective, biblical wisdom. Proverbs 11:14b says, “in the multitude of counselors there is safety,” which includes parents as well. The global church exists as a support for each other, and rather than feeling condemnation we should remember that we have brothers and sisters who are professionally equipped to bear your burdens, just as you do for others.
Counseling can help your child build their identity without negative influences from those around them. It’s a space to define what really matters to them, as well as their personal values. Counseling is a reinforcement for your parenting, a support for both you and your child with the ultimate goal of drawing both of you closer to Jesus and each other.
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
— James 3:17 (NKJV)
Josie Bromby – M.A.
Hello! I’m a biblical counselor and founder of Refuge Biblical Counseling. I love helping women of all ages find practical ways to walk out their faith. I am here to point you back to Jesus no matter what storm you find yourself in and encourage you as you walk the Christian walk.
I am particularly passionate about helping teens and young adult women through adolescence. In grad school, I studied the effects of our culture on young women as I volunteered with junior high and college students alike. I’ve found the same underlying thread of identity loss contributes to much of the depression, anxiety, and pain that these women experienced. It can be difficult to realign yourself to be who God created you to be, but that’s why I’m here. I’m here to keep you on track as you celebrate your victories and grow past your losses, all while keeping the focus on the ultimate counselor, Jesus Christ.
If you’d like to book a free, 15-minute consultation, please visit my website.
If you have any questions, please contact me at:
josie@refugebiblicalcounseling.com
Let’s keep in touch! Join the Prevailing Purpose newsletter for recent posts, recommendations, and more here, or find Rachel on Instagram.
If you are walking through a difficult season and can benefit from biblical counseling, schedule a session with myself or another qualified counselor today.
Prevailing Purpose 
Leave a comment