EMDR is an evidence-based therapy modality that was specifically developed to address trauma. It allows you to validate the feelings that stem from your experiences and rearrange your relationship with your memories to reduce how they impact you in the present. 

Your parents may be used to being involved in every aspect of your life. When you move out, they may try to have extensive oversight over your choices. Your parents may scrutinize your spending, or they may have an involvement in your life goals that goes beyond interest and into attempts to control. You may find that you all disagree more and more on where, and how, you live.

Beyond the options to overcome your teen’s “whatever”, you’re not the only one in your teen’s life who can help motivate them! Consider who your teen already connects with. Do they have another family member they especially enjoy, or a friend, perhaps a teacher or coach? If you can facilitate them spending time together, or include them when you’re trying to motivate your teen, you’ll go even further in encouraging your teen.

Feeling stuck is a common experience, but it doesn't have to be a permanent one. By identifying and challenging your limiting beliefs, recognizing your abilities and strengths, and finding and prioritizing what you love, you can begin to move forward and lead a more purposeful life.

Therapists can go a long way toward breaking down myths around therapy, mental health, and family dynamics, but you can be the one to start that process for your family. You can talk with your family about the benefits of therapy, both generally and in the context of how you think therapy can help your own family.

The communication gap between you and your teen can be bridged with the careful construction of a respectful, interested connection. You can improve your communication with your teen by keeping calm, being persistent and consistent, respecting your teen as a whole person, and reaching out as often as possible so your teen knows you truly care.