Teenagers who are struggling with guilt are usually very sensitive to the possibility of being condemned or judged by others. In fact, they often expect it.
It takes great courage for them to disclose their feelings of guilt to you. They will probably not profit from your platitudes or reprimand to “stop feeling guilty.”
Nothing encourages this delicate process more than for the caring adult or parent to be genuinely understanding, accepting, and non-judgmental. This attitude reassures the young, “I am not interested in evaluating your behavior or judging your morality. I am interested in helping you to establish and accomplish your own goals.”
It may be possible, however, for the youth to confront and deal with his or her guilt by carefully and sensitively leading him or her through a course of action share in this article.