Therapy for Teens

Is your teen under a lot of stress? Do they not seem as happy as they once did? Are they suffering from an anxiety or the aftermath of a traumatic experience? 

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. 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 Types of Therapy do you Offer for Teens?

I offer both individual and family-involved therapy sessions for teens experiencing mental health issues:

Individual Therapy

In these private, one-on-one sessions, I 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, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to help the teen develop healthy coping skills, and in some cases, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) to help the teen heal from trauma symptoms. 

Family Therapy

It can be helpful at times for parents to participate in family sessions with their teen. This style of therapy can be very beneficial as it allows the family to communicate effectively and respectfully.

The types of therapy that will be best for your teen will be determined collaboratively with your therapist. Often, I will use a combination of all of these types of therapy to best meet the needs of each client.

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