Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) focuses on changing the way you
perceive the feared event. CBT is one of the most effective ways of assisting
clients experiencing anxiety problems; because we can change the way we
think, we can learn to cope with our anxious feelings.
How Do I Know if My Teen Needs Professional Help?
All anxiety disorders have one thing in common: they are persistent,
presenting with fear or worry in situations that are not actually threatening.
Parents should be aware that teens can experience one or more of the
following symptoms:
Emotional symptoms:
• Feelings of apprehension or dread
• Feeling tense and jumpy
• Restlessness or irritability
• Anticipating the worst and being watchful for signs of
danger
Physical symptoms:
• Pounding or racing heart
• Shortness of breath
• Upset stomach
• Sweating, tremors and twitches
• Headaches, fatigue, and insomnia
• Upset stomach, frequent urination or diarrhea.
If these symptoms are persistent, parents should seek
professional help.
Reggie Parker is the President and CEO of
Catharsis, LLC. He is a trainer, negotiator, team
leader, and Licensed Professional Counselor. He
is a Sergeant and Certified Hostage Negotiator
with the Hoover Police Department with over
20 years of service, a Team Leader for the Crisis
Negotiation Team and a former instructor of the
National Association of School Resource Officers
where he trained officers in transitioning from
street to school settings. Reggie served as a
Police Officer for the Jacksonville State
University Campus Police for two years and
has been a Police Officer for Hoover Police
department since 1995.
Anxiety is much more common
among teens than many realize.
A survey was administered by
FOCUS to determine topics which
should be addressed at the
FOCUS Rallies to be held in the
Fall of 2017. According to
respondents, the number one
topic of interest was “How to
Cope With Anxiety”. With this
in mind, Reggie Parker, author
of this article, is scheduled to
present in the student breakout
sessions at the FOCUS Rallies.
For more information,
visit www.thefocusprogram.com.
Sue Jones, M.Ed.,
FOCUS Director
Most people develop
symptoms of anxiety
disorders before age
21
Reggie received his Master of Science degree in Community Agency Counseling from
Jacksonville State University in 2011. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in
Sociology and his Bachelor of Science degree in Corrections from Jacksonville State
University in 1994.
www.potentialmagazine.com
Fall 2017 |
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