Does your teen explode if they don’t get their own way? Have you threatened to remove their devices or actually done it? Maybe you told them they weren’t allowed to attend an event or forced them to go to school.
Many parents are experiencing moments that can be downright scary in their home when their teenager literally becomes explosive with anger, rage and destructive behavior.
It has become one of the most common questions among parents, what can help teens control their anger and rage that can quicky escalate to explosive behavior?
Learning coping skills through anger and stress management is one of most beneficial ways, especially since many young people have become talk therapy resistant. There are several paths to learning these skills:
- Art therapy
- Music therapy
- Boxing (although many parents assume this type of activity would promote aggressive behavior, on the contrary, it releases anger and stress).
- Gardening (horticultural) therapy
- Sports therapy (including yoga)
- Animal-assisted therapy (AAT)
One of the most popular for teenagers, is animal-assisted therapy (AAT). Research suggests that animal-assisted therapy can have a significant positive impact on the development of teenagers, particularly those facing challenges in their lives.
Why Animal-Assisted Therapy Helps Teen Anger and Rage
Animal-assisted therapy can facilitate the mental, emotional, and social development of adolescents and help develop coping skills when they are starting to spiral.
Animal-assisted therapy helps limit difficult behavior
Working with animals can positively influence teenagers’ emotional well-being, leading to a reduction in negative expressions such as anger, outbursts, and irritability. Interacting with animals can foster a sense of calmness and promote more cooperative behavior among adolescents, as well as between adolescents and adults.
Animal-assisted therapy deceases a negative attitude
Animal-assisted therapy has been found to be effective in reducing negative emotions, including stress and anxiety, in teenagers. The calming presence of suitable animals can help adolescents relax and find solace during challenging times. The therapeutic relationship built with animals provides a safe and non-judgmental space where teenagers can find comfort and emotional support.
Animal-assisted therapy reduces symptoms of PTSD and depression
For teens living with PTSD, engaging in animal therapy has helped reduce dissociation, produced feelings of comfort and warmth, and served as a reminder that they were no longer in danger. Overall this can reduce if not eliminate outbursts of anger, rage and explosive behavior.
Animal-assisted therapy help increase a positive mental attitude
Animal-assisted therapy is well-known for its emotional benefits. By engaging with animals, teenagers can experience increased bonding, security, and a decrease in stress and anxiety. The presence of animals serves as a positive distraction from the many stressors adolescents may face, providing comfort, support, and a sense of reassurance.
Overall animal-assisted therapy promotes improved social skills, increased positive emotions, decreased negative emotions, mitigation of difficult behaviors, and enhanced developmental maturity. Many therapeutic boarding schools implement these therapies, as well as others.
As you are searching for the right therapeutic program for your teen, be sure they have these types of therapy options to help your child’s recovery.
Sources: How to Communicate Effectively and Handle Difficult Teenagers, by Preston Ni
Also read:
Why Residential Therapy Works When Home Fails
5 Benefits of Therapeutic Boarding Schools
Image credit: Freepik
