Psychoanalytic Therapy for Adolescents with Don Schimmel

The Relational Psych Podcast

Adolescence can be a turbulent time full of big emotions, struggles with identity, and conflicts around independence. In this episode, licensed therapist Tyson Conner speaks with psychologist Don Schimmel about how psychodynamic psychotherapy can help teenagers navigate this critical developmental stage. They discuss important concepts like viewing symptoms as "coded communications," avoiding power struggles, and relating to teens through playfulness. Schimmel explains how therapy provides adolescents with a much-needed transitional relationship as they separate from dependence on parents. The therapists also talk about when psychodynamic therapy may not be the right approach, how to introduce reluctant teens to the idea of therapy, and what parents should expect from the process. If you have a troubled teen or just want to understand adolescent psychology better, don't miss this insightful chat.
Don Schimmel is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst based in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. He has over 50 years of experience working with adults, children, adolescents, families, and couples. He is a senior faculty member at the Seattle Psychoanalytic Society and Institute, teaching seminars on Self Psychology, Relational theory, Intersubjectivity, Freud, and Object Relations Theory. Don also leads classes on treating children, adolescents, and their parents and provides ongoing individual and group consultation to psychotherapists in the northwest.
For those interested in Don's classes, he regularly offers continuing education courses in child and adolescent psychotherapy and Self Psychology through the Northwest Alliance for Psychoanalytic Study. If you have questions or would like more information, you can check the Alliance website course offerings or contact him directly at [e-mail]

Further Learning:

The Northwest Alliance for Psychoanalytic Study

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