Why do teens go to therapy?

Adolescence is a crucial period of development in terms of social, emotional, and cognitive abilities. When a teen is experiencing difficulty in any domain, early intervention is key. Early therapy can keep mental health issues from escalating and can establish a healthy foundation of resilience to help with future stressors. Ideally, a wraparound approach can be achieved when the therapist collaborates with parents, doctors, and school supports throughout treatment.

Today’s adolescents cope with many stressors including:

• Academic Pressure: Teens are often experiencing stress around maintaining a high GPA, performing well on exams, and college prep work

• Body Image: Adolescents can be concerned around the way they appear compared to societal standards, especially when posting on social media. Stress around body image can dramatically impact self esteem

• Social Media / Technology Use: Teens often spend more of their free time online than off, which can lead to an overwhelming amount of social pressure. The need to be “constantly online” can lead to sleep disruption, poor mental health, anxiety, and depression. Feelings of envy that arise when teens compare themselves with peers can lead to feelings inadequacy. Additionally, online harassment or cyberbullying often occur without the awareness of parents and/or teachers.

• Family Dynamics: Adolescents may be coping with conflict at home, relational conflict with siblings or parents, or divorce. Often teens will feel they can’t talk to their parents about their relational stress.

• Identity Formulation: The teenage years are an important time for teens to explore their sense of self. This includes their preferences, values systems, beliefs, and roles within society. Teens may feel overwhelmed or anxious around their sense of self and would benefit from a safe space to process these new ideas.

• Trauma: Adolescents may have experienced traumatic events or ongoing developmental trauma. Teens will sometimes not feel comfortable sharing the experiences with friends and family.

Why does therapy work?

A safe and trusting relationship with a therapist can provide the safety and support a teen needs in order to identify healthy methods around coping with stressors. A therapist is professionally trained to provide guidance and support that is tailored to each adolescents’s needs and goals. Throughout treatment, teens will be given tools that can be utilized to manage stress and other symptoms. Additionally, the safe space a therapist’s office provides can lend itself to new insights and understanding.

What to expect

Our approach is flexible to meet the needs of each family we work with. Some adolescents want to bring their parent(s) to the intake session for support. Others want to set things up one-on-one right from the start. Later on in treatment, therapists have the option of occasionally bringing in parents or other family members in order to address familial dynamics or relational conflict.

Two of our wonderful therapists here at Back to Good Counseling specialize in supporting teens. Learn more about Sara and Amy; both therapists have immediate in person and telehealth availability. Call us today to set up an intake session.