Real Life Teens: Emotional Abuse

Real Life Teens is an unbiased and realistic look from the perspective of teens, at the wide variety of issues teens face today featuring young teenagers telling their real stories, in their own words. The series discusses significant issues in adolescent society and cuts through many barriers with its honest and relevant advice and information. Many teens suffer emotional abuse from their peers, family and other trusted adults. Emotional abuse can be difficult to define as there may not be physical signs, however it is clear that this form of destructive behavior is based on power and control. Emotional abuse can affect a student's self-esteem and greatly impair psychological development and social interaction. It can manifest itself in social withdrawal, severe anxiety, fearfulness, depression, physical complaints, substance abuse and the inability to feel and express emotions appropriately. Emotional abuse can occur when anger goes too far or when parents or teens in relationships constantly criticize and threaten resulting in damage to self-esteem and feelings of self-worth. In this program, Teens discuss their experiences with emotional abuse, how they recognize it and the effect and consequences it has now and can have on teens throughout their lives. Interspersed with the Teen discussions are valuable insights and guidance from clinical psychologist Dr Deborah Cooper. Dr Deborah Cooper is internationally known and a highly respected expert on relationships and personal growth. Dr. Cooper is a State License Marriage Family Child Counselor (MFCC) and holds a State Teaching Credential - Psychology and Hypnosis.