Everyone needs help now and then. Teens might seek guidance from their family members or turn to a trusted friend or teacher. But, if your teen is struggling to articulate their needs or is a very private person, it might be hard for them to open up about an issue they are facing. Providing them with self-help books for teens may be a way to give them the language to identify what’s going on and strategies for how best to deal with the problem at hand.
But, if your teen needs guidance in managing their behaviour or if they’ve become dependent on alcohol or drugs, even the best self-help book for teens will not be sufficient. Serious problems require professional intervention. Venture Academy offers a wide range of programmes for troubled teens across Canada, with scenic campuses in Red Deer, AB, and Barrie, ON. Our holistic approach to treatment integrates a proven track record in mental health and addiction services with all-season outdoor activities. Help is available year-round at Venture Academy; call us at [direct], and an admissions counsellor will be happy to review our treatment programmes with you!
Self-Help Books for Teens Can Address a Variety of Issues
Your teens are just starting to figure out who they are. Some of their problems are not unusual—they may be struggling with puberty, changing social dynamics, body image, or school work. Some problems may be more personal or challenging to express—sexual identity, eating disorders, substance issues, or bullying. Self-help books for teens can address a multitude of problems. By making the relevant self-help books available to your teen, you’ll let them know that they are safe and supported whenever they’re ready to talk more openly about what they’re facing. And, by reading them together, or even on your own, you’ll have a better sense of how your teen sees themselves in the world.
Some of the Best Self-Help Books for Teens
Remember, your child does not have the benefit of your hindsight—their problems and questions may seem small to you, but they feel big to your teen. You can use some of these books to help bridge the gap between your teen’s feelings and worries and your own understanding of their problems.
Just As You Are: A Teen’s Guide to Self-Acceptance and Lasting Self-Esteem by Michelle Skeen, PsyD
Issues with acceptance and self-esteem are a hallmark of growing up. It’s normal to feel doubt or confusion about who you are, and teens compare themselves to others all the time. While teens face many external pressures from their family, friends, or the media, their inner critic can be just as loud and intrusive. Skeen’s book gives your teen strategies for silencing that inner voice and developing compassion for one’s own self. If your teen is struggling to find or accept who they are and what is important to them, reading this book is a good first step to figuring those things out.
Dr. Christian’s Guide to Dealing With the Tricky Stuff by Christian Jessen
Adolescence, puberty, and sexuality are tough to talk about, and they’re even tougher to live through! Jessen’s book is geared towards younger teens who might just be starting to undergo puberty, offering ways to stay healthy, active, and safe. It covers topics like managing a teen’s online presence, safety in the real world, and navigating problems with peers. It also provides overviews of some real-life skills your teen will need and techniques for battling stress. This basic guide for teens will be an invaluable tool as your child grows up and begins to define their sense of self.
Overcoming Procrastination for Teens by William J. Knaus
Everyone, including you and your teenager, procrastinates now and then. Sometimes you don’t want to do something, or you just can’t find the energy to tackle some necessary task or another. You know it needs to get done, whatever it may be, but the drive or the desire just isn’t there, so you avoid it by doing something else. But while putting off things like homework may be fun or satisfying in the short term, it can ultimately be a source of anxiety or stress for your teen. As the work piles up, it can become more and more overwhelming. Knaus offers practical advice to teens for staying on top of their school work and responsibilities, getting organised, and establishing good habits that will serve them in school and beyond.
Life Skills for Teens: How To Cook, Clean, Manage Money, Fix Your Car, Perform First Aid, and Just About Everything In Between by Karen Harris
We’re all busy. You’re probably a lot busier than your parents were when they were raising you, and your teen is probably a lot busier than you were at their age. The things you do every day—cooking, cleaning, managing your money—probably seem second nature to you as an adult, but you had to learn how to do them at some point. Maybe a parent walked you through balancing your chequebook, or you learned some basic cooking skills in a home economics class. But opportunities for sharing skills like this from one generation to the next are quickly disappearing. While the internet answers our questions with just a few clicks, we might be caught off guard without some of these fundamental skills. Harris’ book covers practical matters like personal hygiene, cooking, home maintenance, and more abstract concepts like setting goals, managing emotions, or developing social or behavioural skills.
What’s the T?: The No-Nonsense Guide to All Things Trans and/or Non-Binary for Teens by Juno Dawson
Trans and non-binary people have always existed, but during the last few decades that it’s become acceptable to have wide-reaching conversations about what it means to be trans or non-binary. Still, we have a long way to go and a lot of work to do to ensure equality and safety for trans and non-binary identities. If your teen is questioning their gender identity, this book has useful information for them and for you as a parent and ally. With a healthy dose of humour, the book examines tough topics like coming out, sex, relationships and more. It can provide both you and your teen with a shared language and understanding of the complexities of gender identity and expression.
When a Self-Help Book for Teens Isn’t Enough, Call Venture Academy
These books can be a great place to start a conversation with your teen about difficult topics. But, even the best self-help books for teens can fall short of what your child really needs. If you think your child may require direct, professional intervention, help is available now. Call Venture Academy at [direct] to learn more about our behavioural and addiction treatment options. We’ve helped thousands of troubled teens across Canada with proven treatment plans combined with year-round outdoor activities. With two campuses in Red Deer and Barrie, Venture Academy is accessible to you and your teen no matter where you’re based.
