Therapy and Support for Parents of Troubled Teens and Adult Children

We Are Here to Support You—the Parent

The Family Recovery Institute in San Rafael, California specializes in helping parents of troubled teens and adult children who are struggling with serious behavioral, emotional, or mental health issues. Whether your child is still in high school or well into adulthood, the stress, fear, and confusion that come with their challenges can be beyond overwhelming. You may feel like you're walking on eggshells, constantly in crisis mode, waiting for the next “shoe to drop”, or just plain exhausted from trying to help a child who resists your efforts.

If your child is experiencing substance abuse, mental health disorders, behavioral problems, failure to launch, or other chronic struggles, we are here to support you—the parent. We provide specialized individual and group therapy for parents who are dealing with complex family dynamics and long-term emotional strain.

Challenges Common in Troubled Teens

For parents of teenagers, it can be difficult to distinguish between normal adolescent behavior and warning signs of deeper issues. At FRI, we help parents make sense of what’s going on and respond from a place of clarity, not panic.

Common teen issues we treat include:

  • Substance use and overuse in teens, including vaping, cannabis, alcohol, and prescription drugs

  • School refusal, academic decline, or chronic truancy

  • Defiance and oppositional behavior at home or in school

  • Self-harm, depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia, gender questioning, and suicidal ideation

  • Risky behaviors, such as reckless driving, unsafe sex, or illegal activity

  • Social isolation or gaming addiction, often linked with emotional dysregulation

These problems can lead to family conflict, academic consequences, and deep parental distress. Our team helps you understand your role in the family system and begin to shift your approach in ways that are both compassionate and boundaried.

Challenges Common in Struggling Adult Children

The pain of parenting doesn’t end at 18. Many parents come to us heartbroken and confused about how to handle a son or daughter in their 20s, 30s, or beyond who continues to struggle—despite years of effort, treatment, or support.

Common adult child issues we address include:

  • Substance use disorders and relapse

  • Failure to launch, including adult children living at home with no direction or motivation

  • Untreated mental health conditions, including mood disorders and trauma

  • Emotional manipulation, gaslighting, or chronic dependency

  • Legal problems, financial instability, or ongoing crises

  • Estrangement or volatile communication patterns

We help parents navigate the unique emotional pain that comes from watching a grown child self-destruct—or refuse to grow up. With therapy, parents can learn to set healthy boundaries without cutting off emotionally, stop enabling dysfunctional patterns, and begin to reclaim their own peace of mind.

Individual Therapy for Parents of Troubled Teens and Adults

We offer individual counseling for parents who are dealing with the emotional fallout of having a child who is troubled, stuck, or in crisis. You may be experiencing chronic stress, anxiety, grief, or guilt. Our experienced therapists help you:

  • Understand your emotional reactions and family dynamics

  • Set realistic boundaries and limits without feeling like a “bad parent”

  • Let go of outcomes you can’t control

  • Begin to heal from years of stress or emotional burnout

Therapy gives you the opportunity to step back from the chaos and focus on your own growth, mental health, and well-being.

Group Therapy for Parents

Our support groups for parents offer a safe, therapist-led space to connect with others who are going through similar experiences. In multi-family group therapy, you'll find a sense of community, insight, and practical strategies for managing the stress of parenting a child who continues to struggle—whether they’re 17 or 37.

Benefits of multi-family parent support groups at FRI include:

  • Reducing isolation and shame

  • Learning boundary-setting skills and communication strategies

  • Sharing wisdom and perspective while learning from other parents’ experiences

  • Strengthening emotional resilience and self-care practices

Many of our group members say this space becomes their lifeline—one of the only places where they feel fully understood.

Get Support Today

If you're a parent struggling with a troubled teen or an adult child with mental health or substance use issues, you don’t have to go through it alone. Let us help you find your footing again.

Call The Family Recovery Institute in San Rafael, CA today at 415-322-0939 to schedule a consultation or learn more about our services for parents.