Therapy for Teens

Often there are signs that point to changes in behavior and mood or something is noticeably different. Some of these include:

• A drop in grades/problems at school
• Physical changes such as appearing worn down and tired
• Less time spent with friends/family and more time isolating
• Difficulty sleeping
• An increase in angry outbursts
• If you notice you’re teen seems to be struggling, talking with a therapist may help. They may be overwhelmed and need a place where they feel supported so they can sort out their feelings and find ways to create change.

How Teen Therapy Can Help

Most adolescents are skeptical about therapy and rightly so. Things aren’t going well at home or school. Consequently, these teens find themselves in an office, face to face with a complete stranger, expected to spill their secrets and work on their “feelings”.  Rather than fighting skepticism, we engage it and welcome questions, concerns, and frustrations with the process. Through these initial interactions, a relationship of mutual respect and safety grows, enabling vulnerability. We primarily employ talk therapy with teens, but include art and games in the therapeutic process as well. Adolescents often struggle with understanding their internal experiences as well as the inability to verbalize these with parents and other safe persons. In therapy, we work with teens to gain that understanding and to make the choice to turn to parents for connection and acceptance.

Some of the benefits teen therapy may provide are:

• Improved self esteem and confidence
• Feeling less depressed or anxious
• Improved coping skills to manage anger, anxiety and stress
• Improved communication skills
• Reduction/Elimination of self destructive behaviors
• Improved relationships with parents and peers
• Feeling better and happier overall