My name is James Staunton, and I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I received my B.A. in Psychology at George Washington University in 1982 and my Masters in Counseling Psychology from National University. I have worked in the Mental Health field since 2001. In addition to my masters in Counseling Psychology, I am engaged in advanced studies at the San Diego Psychoanalytic Society and Institute in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.
Adolescent Specialty
The Adolescent years are especially challenging for both teens and their parents. Hormones kick in causing sudden changes in feelings and mood swings. The teenage brain is itself developing but does not seem to reach its adult state for several years after adolescence (see Resources: for Parents). And psychologically, teens are struggling against the pull back to childhood attitudes and relations and toward an adult frame they are not yet able to meet. This can bewilder parents who may long for the simple affection and esteem they enjoyed from their younger child, but who now seems to distain their very existence!
Of course, sometimes the opposite problem is in play: a teen who seems to want to remain an obedient and clinging child- which can lead to "re-nesting" for decades to come. It may be more peaceful in the house, but is perhaps a worse problem for the teen in that they don't become independent or individuated.
What is a parent to do with these problems? I've spent seven years working exclusively with teens, individually in therapy and in groups. I can't say its been easy (!) but I've learned a lot and come to appreciate my position as the outsider a teen can open up to when they are so conflicted inside toward the parents they love so deeply and yet HAVE to pull away from in order to mature and become healthy individuals. Teenagers find it easy to talk to me, and really appreciate having an adult to confide in who is not also an authority figure they must answer to. The need for confidentiality with teens is vitally important (see FAQ on confidentiality).
If your teen seems to be making poor choices, is depressed, is impulsive or aggressive, consider giving him/her the chance to work through some of these issues with an experience therapist. I hope you will give yourself a break too. As a parent, there is only so much you can do yourself, and your child is a unique human being in the making! As kids unburden themselves of the guilt and conflict they carry in therapy, your relationship with them will improve too and relieve you of the "bad guy" status.
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Please call or email to set up an appointment to meet.
The information offered on this website is to be used
for educational purposes only and not as a substitute for psychotherapy. Please consult a mental health
professional to address your specific needs. If you are experiencing an
emergency, call the San Diego Crisis & Access Line at
1-800-479-3339.
