Teen/Emerging Adults

Is your teen under a lot of stress? Do they not seem as happy as they once did? Are they suffering from anxiety and worrisome thoughts? Do you suspect they are lacking in social confidence?

Most of us remember our teenage years as a combination of great fun, burgeoning freedom, and a tremendous amount of stress. 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.

• Social Anxiety - Signs and symptoms of social anxiety disorder can include constant:
  • Fear of situations in which you may be judged negatively
  • Worry about embarrassing or humiliating yourself
  • Intense fear of interacting or talking with strangers
  • Fear that others will notice that you look anxious
  • Fear of physical symptoms that may cause you embarrassment, such as blushing, sweating, trembling or having a shaky voice
• Procrastination - A chronic pattern of delaying or postponing things or tasks which produce more distress and likelihood of mood disorders.
• Family of origin dysfunction - Teens often bear witness to marital strife, divorce, and addiction. These forces can have a corrosive effect on the emerging psychological identity of a teen and emerging adult. 

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 Are Some of the Best Types of Therapy for Teens?

There are three general types of therapy for teens experiencing mental health issues:

Individual Therapy

In these private, one-on-one sessions, a therapist 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.

Group Therapy

Group therapy can be very effective because it allows teens to see how their peers handle their problems. Most groups have five to seven teens and one leader who will ask questions and guide the conversation.

Family Therapy

In this scenario, the teen would go to therapy with their parent(s) and sometimes even with siblings. This style of therapy can be very beneficial as it allows the family to communicate effectively and respectfully.

Which type of therapy will be best for the teen will be determined by a trained therapist. Often, he or she will use a combination of all three of these types of therapy.

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