Educational and youth counseling

The nerves are frayed, doors are slamming, it's almost impossible to talk: all parents with teenage children aged between 16 and 18 are probably familiar with this situation. However, if serious problems increase over a longer period of time and the situation at home becomes increasingly stressful, you should not be afraid to seek professional help. Read here who can help with which problem and where you can find free advice services.

Your child probably feels very grown-up between the ages of 16 and 18. What parents say counts for little; mothers and fathers are oftenexperienced as uncomprehending, patronizing and overbearing during this time. Disputes about differing views between the generations arecompletely normal

during this developmental phaseand are even part of the healthy process of young people cutting the cord from their parents

Sometimes, however, the situation gets out of hand and problems pile up at home, at school, during the transition to education or in their free time. As a parent,you may be very worried about the development. On the one hand, because you only want the best, but it's still difficult to get close to your child. On the other hand, because you are still responsible for your child who is

not yet of legal age.

It often helps to take a look from the outside. The qualified specialists in the educational, parenting and youth counseling centers can offer you a lot of professional support. The services are generally free of charge and are provided by qualified professionals. They can offer help in solving parenting problems, improving the parent-child relationship, support in coping with difficult life situations and much more.

Dare to take the first step! It's absolutely fine to seek counseling, it doesn't make you a bad parent. On the contrary: the earlier you seek support, the sooner you can develop solutions for a more harmonious family life together with professional help.

Links and telephone numbers to the counseling services - including on specific topics such as addiction, alcohol and drugs - can be found below.

If parents need more intensive support to raise their child, the youth welfare office can provide individual advice and support services. Experienced educational and therapeutic specialists support parents in successfully shaping their child's development and upbringing. Parenting support can take place both inside and outside the family.

Measures of educational support can be, for example:

• Parenting advice: This is professional advice for parents or guardians who need support in raising and caring for their child.
• Family therapy: This measure supports families in overcoming problems that affect parenting, such as conflicts, trauma or mental illness.
• Child and youth welfare: This measure includes various support services for children and young people whose development or upbringing is impaired, e.g. residential care, foster care, day groups.
• School and vocational support: These are measures aimed at supporting children and young people in acquiring education and qualifications.
• Therapeutic measures: These measures include, for example, psychotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and music therapy, which are designed to promote the development and well-being of the child or young person.
• Support with integration into society: These measures help young people to enter adult life, for example by helping them to find accommodation, work or training positions.

All parents have a legal right to educational support for themselves and their child if the child's welfare is at risk. More information on the Help-for-education and a FAQ can be found on the website of the Youth Welfare Office.