Helping Teens Feel Safe Saying No: Teen Therapy in Roswell, GA for Boundary-Setting and Self-Worth
We all know the phrases “just say no” or “no means no”, but actually saying “no” is much easier said than done, isn’t it? And for teens, it can feel nearly impossible in the face of peer pressure to set a boundary by saying “no”. Boundaries are limits we communicate to others to protect our well-being. Whether it’s to set a limit on how much energy or time we can give, or to say no to something that goes against our values, saying “no” is one of the simplest and most important ways we can set a boundary, and your teen is figuring all of this out in a new way.
A Peer Pressure Scenario Many Teens Face
Picture this: your teen has a friend who asked to borrow their homework so they can copy it for class. Normally, this isn’t something your teen would be comfortable with, but her friend points out she’s been busy with a family emergency, or her soccer game took up all the time she wanted to spend finishing her math homework. Her friend would usually never ask them to do something like this, except “just this once.” Could she make an exception? Your teen knows the consequences if she gets caught, but she also knows how her friend will react if she says “no”. Sometimes teens find themselves in difficult situations where they feel torn between sticking to their values and what they’re comfortable with, and that they could possibly lose a friend, a connection, or a whole friend group. Relationships and community are essential for all of us, but for teens, it can feel like a matter of life or death. That’s why support such as teen therapy in Roswell can be so helpful for navigating these challenges.
The Pain of Social Rejection Is Real
A 2011 study (Kross et al., 2011) looked at how social rejection and physical pain show up in the brain using functional MRIs. They found that the results are shockingly similar. This confirms what any teen experiencing social rejection already knows, which is that having “belonging” taken from us can be just as painful as a major physical injury. Some teens might even go so far as to say they would rather break a leg than be cut out of their friend group.
The fear of being cut off or rejected flashes before the eyes of every teen faced with the decision to stick with their gut and give a much-needed “no”, or to give in and go with the flow.
As a therapist who works with teens in Roswell, here are some things that can help with saying “no” when you know you need to, but it feels impossible.
First, it’s important that your teen knows that their needs, wants, values, and desires matter. It’s important they know that saying “no” to something is actually just a way of saying “yes” to something else. Saying “no” to letting your friend copy your homework is necessary to say “yes” to your value of being honest and keeping your integrity in your work. By setting a boundary and saying “no”, they are valuing themselves as an important part in the relationship. It’s important that they hear from you that their needs, values, wants, and desires matter, and that you model this for them by practicing your own “no's” where appropriate. Teens learn a lot about how to navigate the world from watching how the adults in their lives do it, and you might not realize it, but they’re taking notes.
Practical Strategies Parents Can Use
As a parent, you can help! Some tried and true methods for supporting your teen in setting healthy boundaries include the “code word” and the “check-in rule”. Setting a direct boundary by saying “no” can feel impossible in the face of peer pressure, so as we build up to that, these methods can be very effective in keeping your teen safe and helping them have a way out. To use the “code word” strategy with your teen, choose a word or phrase together that your teen can share in a phone call or text message that communicates “I’d like to go home, but I don’t want to ask”. This way, they can blame it on their parent or caregiver, giving them an easy out with their friends. Another technique is the “check-in rule”, which is another way to keep your teen safe as they learn how to set more direct boundaries. Set a rule with your teen that no matter what time they get home from being out of the house, they must always do a quick “check-in” with you before going to bed, even if you are asleep. This way, you have a connecting point to not only ask how they’re doing, but they can once again “blame the parent” if they are asked to do something they’re not comfortable with. They can soften their “no” with, “no matter what time I get home, I have to talk to my parents, and they’ll know if I ‘X’”.
Setting boundaries by saying “no” is hard, and even harder when you’re a teen, so Renovating Hope Counseling in Roswell, GA, is here if you or your teen needs any extra support with this. Give us a call or visit our website to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
Build Confidence to Speak Up with Teen Therapy in Roswell, GA
Learning to say “no” is more than setting a boundary. It’s an act of self-worth. Through teen therapy in Roswell, GA, we help teens find their voice, trust their instincts, and feel empowered to protect their well-being in relationships, school, and everyday life.
Here’s how to get started:
Schedule a free consultation to share your teen’s needs and explore how therapy can support their growth.
Book their first teen therapy session and begin building skills for healthy boundaries and self-confidence.
Watch them grow into a young adult who feels secure saying “no” when it matters most.
Because boundaries aren’t walls. They’re bridges to healthier connections.
Additional Ways We Support Families in Roswell, GA
Alongside our teen counseling services in Roswell, GA, we provide a variety of integrative therapies to help individuals and families navigate change, overcome challenges, and grow together. Our compassionate team offers individual therapy, child counseling, and family support to strengthen communication, build resilience, and foster healthier relationships.
Couples can benefit from relationship and marriage counseling that focuses on deepening connection, enhancing communication, and restoring trust. For those healing from trauma, our trauma-informed care creates a safe, empowering environment for recovery.
We also work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, OCD, body image or disordered eating concerns, and women’s emotional health needs. Specialized services include brainspotting, faith-based Christian counseling, online therapy, functional nutrition support, and sports performance coaching—ensuring a personalized, whole-person approach that cares for both mind and body.
Meet Madeline Verdesca: Therapist Who Works with Teens in Roswell, GA
Madeline Verdesca, a Licensed Professional Counselor in Roswell, GA, is dedicated to supporting teens and individuals in feeling truly seen, heard, and empowered. Drawing on her specialized training and hands-on experience, she helps clients navigate challenges with a focus on healing, personal growth, and building meaningful connections. Madeline approaches each client’s story with respect and offers practical strategies to promote clarity, confidence, and lasting fulfillment.
Outside of her work at Renovating Hope, Madeline enjoys gardening, reading, singing, and taking walks with her husband and their labradoodle, River. She brings the same warmth and encouragement from her personal life into her sessions, inspiring hope and helping clients create lives grounded in connection, resilience, and joy.
References/Resources from a Therapist Who Works with Teens
Kross, E., Berman, M. G., Mischel, W., Smith, E. E., & Wager, T. D. (2011). Social rejection
shares somatosensory representations with physical pain. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 108(15), 6270–6275. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1102693108
Tropea, T. (2023, August 14). What teens think about peer pressure - and how parents can help.
Center for Parent and Teen Communication. https://parentandteen.com/what-teens-think-peer-pressure/#:~:text=Peer%20Pressure%20&%20Adolescent%20Development,by%20comparing%20themselves%20to%20others.
