Is your teen under a lot of stress? Do they not seem as happy as they once did? Are they suffering from an eating disorder? 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/divorce, ending or changing friendships, or the end of a first love. 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, be accepted by their peers, be independent, and plan for their future.
• Bullying - Teens that are bullied at school or at home suffer, and are often alone. If not dealt with, the aftermath of continual mistreatment 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.

How Does Therapy Work with Teens?

There are two types of sessions I utilize when engaging in therapy with adolescents:

Individual Therapy

In these private, one-on-one sessions, I will typically use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and a mix of eclectic approaches to help the teen make a connection between their thoughts and feelings, as well as understand how these impact their behavior.  We will work on techniques to help them recognize and express their feelings so that they can continue to use these skills outside of session to improve their relationships, self-esteem, and overall quality of life.

Family Sessions

In these sessions, the adolescent would be joined in session by their parent(s) and sometimes even with siblings. These sessions can be very beneficial as it allows the family to communicate effectively and respectfully, and learn to understand one another.

I often start by meeting with the adolescent and parent(s) to get a bit of background information from both parties.  From there, I quickly move the dynamic to individual sessions with myself and the teen.  The most vital part of therapy is the therapeutic relationship, and I want teens to know that I am here for them.  Therapy is a safe space to share, even if they are sharing about topics that they do not feel comfortable discussing with their parent/families.

If your teen is struggling right now and could benefit from therapy, please reach out to me.