Introduction: Adolescence is often considered a period of crisis in the life cycle of every person: crisis for the individual; crisis for his/her family; and crisis for his/her environment.
Depending on the historical and social context considered, the way we look at adolescents, our  expectatations on them, and the alarm signs, are all criteria in constant change.

Objectives: This work intends to represent with examples extracted from the clinical practice some of the narratives by which a teenager may come into contact with Mental Health. Other narratives are created to avoid the pathologization and/or the early diagnosis, taking into account the person and its environment in a global way. We must keep in mind that this often requires that we, the professionals, readjust our own narratives.

Material and Methods: We have analized the clinical sessions with several adolescent users of the Mental Health System. Also, we have carried out a bibliographical review focusing mainly on articles about systemic therapy.

Results: The narratives analyzed focus on behavioural problems, which were perceived as the resulto of a social matter or as a sign of mental ilness by which they aim to justify their behavioral alteration.  

Conclusions: Despite the difficulties involved in confronting established narratives, approaching them with respect and curiosity allows to question them and to expand the focus. This enables a better understanding of the users and their environments by themselves and the professionals.

CHRYSALIS: TO GROW OR NOT TO GROW, THAT IS THE QUESTION