Need help with teenager - therapist?

[victoria1111]

Hi everyone,

I am new on the forum but had been reading for quite a while :). Always found people's comments very helpful and given my difficult circumstances, I am hoping to get some advice or at least to hear from other people's experiences...

My elder son is currently 16 y.o. and he is going through a difficult phase. His GCSEs didn't go that great and I don't see him motivated anymore.

Not too long ago, he was excited about applying for university and studying at Oxford/Cambridge/others. All of a sudden and after his last exams, his tune has changed and constantly says he doesn't want to go to university anymore.

Anyway, we have tried to be supportive but we think he needs to speak to somebody else, a therapist or simply someone older that he can relate to.

Thanks in advance to everyone reading this x

Does he say what he does want to do? Does he have interests and goals?

There are plenty of alternatives to the traditional university path these days.

Looking at the levels of debt incurred, it's also worth taking a longer route and working out what is the right course or path rather than going off to study for 3 years if it's not what you actually want to do.

On the other hand if he's more interested in sleeping and playing computer games you could be better looking for a therapist/GP.

He's freaking out. Panicking he's done rubbish and he's managing expectations. Probably thinking oh crap what if I don't get the grades for uni (even though it's a levels first) or things like I don't want my family to be disappointment or shocked if I don't do as well as they think I will.

Do nothing until after results day. He may surprise himself or he may in fact have done rubbish who knows. Just tell him now it's over that you are so proud that he went to the exams and that in itself is an achievement

Hi, I think a therapist might be excessive (although obviously I am only judging on your post). He might just need some encouragement or speak to an older student who has been in the same position. I recently used someone from a specialised company, they basically employ successful graduates / university students who act as coaches. The link is here.

Hi, I think a therapist might be excessive (although obviously I am only judging on your post). He might just need some encouragement or speak to an older student who has been in the same position. I recently used someone from a specialised company, they basically employ successful graduates / university students who act as coaches. The link is here. Good luck x