Teen Counseling
Are You Worried About Your Teen’s Wellbeing?
Does your teen seem withdrawn and lonely? Have they been expressing intense anxiety over school, their relationships, or their future? Do you suspect that your teen has been questioning their gender or sexuality?
Perhaps your teen has lost interest in activities and hobbies they used to love. Maybe they are struggling to figure out their identity. Or perhaps your teen seems disconnected from their old friends and is struggling to form new relationships. As a parent, you want to help them - but you don’t know how to give them the support they need.
Your Teen May Feel Lonely And Misunderstood
The teenage years are hard—there’s no sugarcoating it. Your teen is probably dealing with new adult responsibilities without all of the freedoms that adulthood brings. In response to the pressure that they’re under, they might turn to unhealthy habits or behaviors as an escape.
During the teenage years, many young people also grapple with their gender and sexuality. Maybe your teen has hinted at these issues, but they seem hesitant to let you in on their feelings. You don’t want to pry, but you still want them to find happiness.
On the other hand, maybe it seems like your teen is having trouble socializing. They may have grown apart from old friends and struggled to make new ones. Rather than spending time with their loved ones, they would prefer to be alone.
If you’re worried about your teen but you’re not sure how to get through to them, counseling could be the solution. A therapist who specializes in working with young people can help your teen improve their self-esteem and gain the skills they need to move through this tumultuous time in life.
Many Teens Struggle With Their Mental Health
At some point, almost every teen feels depressed or anxious. This is a normal part of adolescence, but teens who develop clinical anxiety and depression can experience debilitating symptoms.
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Additionally, as teens start taking on more responsibilities and leave childhood behind, they naturally try to define their own identities. For many teens, this means asking themselves complex questions about their gender or sexuality, which can be a complicated and confusing process.
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Teens Face Intense Pressure At School And At Home
Many teens simply want to fit in at school, but they might struggle to relate to their peers and grow apart from childhood friends. While some teens who are questioning their gender or sexuality find acceptance, others face prejudice and discrimination at home, at school, and among their peers.
Furthermore, the relationship between a parent and their child can change dramatically throughout the teenage years. Teens often want more independence and autonomy, causing them to rebel against their parents’ rules. This can lead to frequent arguments.
Today, it can be tough for teens to take a step back and simply “be” - in our increasingly connected society, it often seems impossible to escape the pressures of social media, peer groups, and other sources of stress. A teen who lacks healthy outlets to process stress can end up feeling insecure, anxious, or depressed.
Thankfully, lots of teens find the support they need in therapy. Through counseling, your teen can address issues like anxiety or depression, explore their identity in a safe space, and learn coping strategies that they can rely on throughout life.
Counseling Can Help Your Teen Navigate This Challenging Time
You might worry that your teen will be resistant to the idea of going to therapy. While some teens do have reservations about counseling, they often find that once they’ve gotten to know their therapists, sessions can actually be quite enjoyable.
Reveal & Restore Counseling, your teen will have the opportunity to work with a therapist who can serve as their advocate. They will be able to talk about everything they’ve been going through and ask questions without facing judgment. We provide a welcoming, laid-back environment where your teen can learn more about themselves while working on concrete skills to better manage their mental health.
What Your Teen Can Expect In Counseling Sessions
Before your teen starts therapy, you’ll schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation with a counselor at our practice. You’ll have the opportunity to discuss what your teen is going through and learn more about the counseling process. Next, you’ll fill out intake paperwork describing your concerns and which issues you hope to see addressed in therapy.
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You and your teen will attend the first session together. Your teen will also fill out an intake form and share their own perspective on their struggles. While we will provide general updates on your teen’s progress throughout their time in counseling, your teen will attend all subsequent sessions independently, unless they request otherwise.
In our practice, we primarily work with teens on finding workable solutions to the problems they’re facing. For example, your teen might need to come up with methods for managing their stress, focusing on finding healthier friendships, or gaining self-acceptance in regards to their gender or sexuality. Your teen’s therapist will talk them through these issues and help them make improvements in different areas of life.
Treatment Approaches For Teen Therapy
At Reveal and Restore Counseling, treatment for teens is typically centered around Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This approach will help your teen understand how their thoughts fuel their emotions and behaviors.
Through CBT, your teen will learn how to identify negative thought patterns that could be holding them back and harming their self-esteem. They will work on building healthier thought patterns and beliefs that help boost their confidence. The skills that your teen learns from CBT can benefit them throughout their entire life.
In counseling, your teen can address their struggles with a therapist who puts their well-being first. They will have support from a therapist who can affirm and empower them. Your relationship with your teen can improve as a result.
But You May Still Have Questions About Teen Therapy…
What if my teen isn’t interested in counseling?
Many teens feel apprehensive about attending therapy. It’s important to explain to your teen that therapy is not a punishment, nor will they be graded on anything. They can simply share what’s on their mind without facing judgment or condescension. Once your teen builds up a rapport and sense of trust with their therapist, sessions can be relaxing and even fun!
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What does confidentiality look like for teens in counseling?
All information that your teen shares in therapy will remain confidential, but there are limited exceptions. If your teen’s therapist becomes concerned about their safety at any point, they will report their concerns to you and other medical providers if necessary.
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How much involvement do parents have when their teen is in counseling?
After the initial intake session, your teen will attend therapy alone. However, your teen’s therapist will check in with you every 4 to 6 sessions with a general progress update. In some instances, your teen’s therapist might encourage them to talk to you about important issues in their life. After all, a huge part of therapy is building the relationship between you and your teen. That’s why we want to give your teenager the communication skills to open up to you comfortably.