Counseling For Teens

It’s Typical For Teens To Encounter Mental Health Problems During This Transformative Period In Their Lives

It’s normal for teenagers to grapple with challenges related to mental health, identity, and self-esteem, as these issues are natural during adolescent development. However, the intensity and frequency can vary. When these issues become overwhelming and debilitating, seeking support and guidance from an experienced professional is necessary. 

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), around 20 percent of adolescents aged 13 to 18 in the United States grapple with severe mental disorders within a given year. (1)

How Society Single-Handedly Contributes To Teenage Mental Health Struggles

Teenage mental health struggles often stem from various societal and cultural factors. The increasing influence of social media platforms frequently promotes unrealistic beauty standards and body image ideals among adolescents. The constant exposure to edited and filtered images often fosters feelings of inadequacy and diminishes self-esteem among teenagers as they compare themselves and their lives to these unrealistic standards.

Moreover, the pressure to excel academically is another significant contributor to teenage mental health challenges. In many cultures, academic success is highly valued, putting immense pressure on teenagers to perform exceptionally well in their studies. This relentless pursuit of academic excellence and perfectionism results in heightened stress and anxiety, having a detrimental impact on self-esteem. 

Teenagers often find themselves constantly comparing their academic accomplishments to their peers, further exacerbating their feelings of worthlessness or not being good enough.

Whether you’re a teen or a parent of one who may be struggling—counseling is a viable solution that offers you the opportunity to understand your difficult experiences and learn effective ways to cope with and overcome them.

Therapy Can Help Teens Feel Confident And Motivated

Counseling offers teenagers a supportive and confidential space where they can explore, learn, and apply essential life skills. In this space, we encourage teens to embrace their unique identities, values, and aspirations without judgment.

We are also an LGBTQ+-affirming practice. This means that all teens are welcomed into a safe and supportive environment where their identities are respected and validated. 

During sessions, we aim to earn their trust so they can relax and know that we are on their side with their best interest at heart. We give teens the space to express themselves, set personal goals, and work with a compassionate therapist to create a plan toward achieving them. 

Through therapy, teens can learn to approach life’s obstacles head-on and handle them in a healthy, positive manner.

Teen Counseling—A Tailored Approach

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for teens incorporates mindfulness techniques, providing them with practical strategies to manage intense emotions. Through activities like chain analysis, teens gain insight into their behavior patterns and develop skills for distress tolerance and emotion regulation. We also use worksheets and exercises to help increase self-awareness and help teens identify and express their feelings. Additionally, DBT emphasizes self-compassion, empowering teens to cultivate a more positive relationship with themselves.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps teens learn to identify and challenge negative thoughts that contribute to their emotional distress. By recognizing and reframing distorted thoughts, such as “I’m a failure because I got a B in math,” teens develop a more balanced perspective and build resilience against negative thinking patterns.

Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) encourages introspection and exploration of underlying emotions and motivations. By delving into questions like “Why do I react this way?” and “Where is that coming from?” teens gain insight into their emotional experiences and help them feel seen, heard, and validated.

Narrative Therapy focuses on exploring and reshaping personal narratives, empowering teens to rewrite their stories in a way that aligns with their values and goals. Through this process, adolescents gain a sense of independence over their lives, fostering resilience and self-empowerment.

At Evolve Therapy Group, our therapists help make sure that teens feel heard and supported. Seeking help is a courageous step toward feeling better. It is normal to face challenges and struggles during adolescence, it’s also important to understand that with help and support, there is hope for positive change and growth.

Perhaps You Are Considering Teen Counseling But Still Have Some Questions…