Teen/Adolescent Therapy

Is your teen under a lot of stress? Do they not seem as happy as they once did? Are they suffering from depression or anxiety? Do you suspect they are using drugs?

Most of us remember our teenage years as a combination of great fun, burgeoning freedom and a tremendous amount of stress. During this time our hormone levels are skyrocketing, making us feel emotionally out of control. We also feel a greater need to perform well academically and fit into social circles. All of this stress can take its toll on a teen’s mental health and overall well-being.

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. 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 often alone. If not dealt with, the aftermath of violence can result in PTSD symptoms.

Depression
Teen depression is a serious mental health problem that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities. It affects how your teenager thinks, feels and behaves, and it can cause emotional, functional and physical problems.

Anxiety
There are several factors that can attribute to a teens anxiety. Social media, high expectations and pressure to succeed, as well as a world that feels scary and threatening.

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 typical 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 contact us.