Therapy for Teens
Teens today are dealing with so much more than ever before. They encounter pressures, big emotions, confusing and distressing thoughts, self-doubt and self-harm all while you as the parent are trying to support and love them, to connect the best you know how. But often your teen will shut down, act out, or push you away despite your best efforts.
Adolescence is a time in life that is both incredibly exciting and difficult. The job of adolescence is to create some separation from the family, develop some independence and try new things, while also balancing that with the need for continued guidance, support and love from trusted others. I would love to help provide a safe supportive space for your teen to process and express thoughts and feelings in a confidential environment and explore the changes, decisions and issues that they face.
Whether it is anxiety, social issues, depression, self-esteem, isolation – there are countless issues teen face. Teens do not always feel comfortable being open and honest with a parent all the time, and their friends do not have the maturity, experience or training to help. This is where therapy can be incredibly beneficial for you teen.
We are here to help and support your teen and family in this part of your life story. We will start with an assessment, create a plan, and meeting schedule, and then work on building a non-judgmental space for your teen to process their feelings and thoughts and also learn life skills and how to navigate those thoughts and emotions in a healthy way.
Common Life Challenges Among Teens
Teens can often face some serious life challenges that impact their mental health and well-being.
- Loss - Loss can come in the form of a death of a loved one, including a pet, and it can also come in the form of parental separation or divorce. A loss also happens when a family moves to a new location and the teen must go to a new school.
- Stress - A little stress is normal in life and can even be motivating. But too much stress can cause burnout at any age. Many teens face tremendous amounts of stress to do well in school, hold down a job, and be accepted by their peers.
- Violence - Teens that are bullied at school or at home suffer, and are often alone. If not dealt with, the aftermath of violence can result in PTSD symptoms.
This is not an exhaustive list of reasons why a teen may want to speak with a therapist by any means. If you think your teen could benefit from therapy, please reach out to me.
What Are Some of the Best Types of Therapy for Teens?
There are three general types of therapy for teens experiencing mental health issues:
Individual Therapy
In these private, one-on-one sessions, a therapist will typically use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help the teen make a connection between their thoughts and feelings, as well as understand how these impact their behavior.
Group Therapy
Group therapy can be very effective because it allows teens to see how their peers handle their problems. Most groups have five to seven teens and one leader who will ask questions and guide the conversation.
Family Therapy
In this scenario, the teen would go to therapy with their parent(s) and sometimes even with siblings. This style of therapy can be very beneficial as it allows the family to communicate effectively and respectfully.
Which type of therapy will be best for the teen will be determined by a trained therapist. Often, he or she will use a combination of all three of these types of therapy.
If your teen is struggling right now and could benefit from therapy, please reach out to me.