Therapy for Teens: What to Expect?

Being a teenager is difficult.

As a teenager, they get to explore their self expression, but also developmentally, they are learning how they fit into the world—their actions but also how those actions operate in relation to others.

Developmentally teens’ brains are starting to develop the rewards system, meaning they are starting to grasp the idea of positive rewards and consequences.

One of the greatest myths about the teen years is that during this time of their life they are hormonal and impulsive. That's just not the case. Teenagers' brains are still developing, and they are learning about the consequences of their actions and how the world operates with them in it. So what to us seems like impulsive behavior, for them is an action that they haven't completely thought through because their brain isn't quite developed. This isn't a justification for their behavior, but it helps us operate more effectively as parents. For example, we can help them think through the consequences of their actions.

Why do teenagers need Counselling?

That being said, throughout this tumultuous time of their life, therapy for teens is incredibly normal and actually helpful. During this stage of growth, it may be uncomfortable for them to share about certain aspects of their life, especially with their parents, but if they aren't talking to you, the parent, then they need to be talking to someone about their life so they can sort through their emotions and challenges.

Many teenagers undergo treatment to understand how they are thinking, expressing emotions, and reacting to situations. It is a great place for them to explore themselves while a positive support for their mental health. If your teen isn't talking with you, it is important they find someone, like a mental health professional, to talk to and express their feelings.

How do I know if my teenager needs counseling?

Some reasons you might seek therapy for your teen include consistent sadness, hopelessness, worry, fear, frustration, acting out, difficulty trying to concentrate, big life changes, low self esteem, feeling drained, having a negative experience with death, substance use, feeling lack of direction, or talk of hurting themselves. However, therapy doesn't have to be a last-ditch response to extreme behavior. It's incredibly normal and healthy for a teen to see a therapist, even if nothing is noticeably wrong. Mental health upkeep can be viewed as preventative trips to the doctor or daily exercise. While nothing is seemingly wrong with our health, it's critical to go to these check-ups to ensure our bodies truly are okay. Same applies to mental health. We don't have to be in crisis to seek support from mental health professionals. We can seek help just to maintain our well being.

Teens are trying to figure out their identity and how they fit in the world, and having a third-party, unbiased sounding board to help them through their difficulties, critical or not, is beneficial for a teen, especially if they aren't openly communicating with you.

How do I get my teenager into therapy?

Again, it's important to get your teens in touch with a teen counselor before problems arise. Giving them a resource for support or someone to talk to is key for maintaining their well being and supporting their development—whether they are in crisis or not.

Give the teens control over the treatment. It doesn't have to be something that is forced. Ensuring it is a mutual decision to seek support is key for the success of the treatment. It has to be their decision, not the other family members'.

The best way to approach getting your teen into therapy is to have an open conversation about it. Co-create with them what seeking counseling could potentially look like and frame it as a resource for them, someone they can talk to about everything they are experiencing, rather than making it a chore or something they have to do. Allowing them free choice is key in this decision is what the success of their treatment will hinge on.

Different types of therapy & what is best for teens

Teenage psychotherapy can be done in three types, individual, group, and family. Occasionally, patients will undergo a combination therapy including individual treatment. The kind of therapeutics needed are dependent upon each situation.

How does The Flourishing Way counsel teenagers?

The Flourishing Way offers many resources for teens and their families. Specializing as a teenage therapist, we offer both individual and group sessions for teens. In the group sessions, we pair yoga, group therapy, and processing together for teens to have an enriched experience of themselves and others. We find these settings are a good fit for teens wanting to maintain good mental health and well being, while individual sessions can be a resource for teens in crisis.

Our mission at The Flourishing Way is to give teens and families the skills they need to flourish in life. We don't have to wait until our teens are in crisis to seek mental health support.

Family therapy

In some cases, family therapy is also a good option for families and their teens. It helps families get to the root of the problems that have caused issues in our children's lives. Family therapy aims to address interpersonal and family issues affecting teen mental health. Therapy is aimed specifically at adolescents battling issues in their home environments and their families and can benefit both children as well as families.

How long does therapy last?

The most effective therapies have no specific duration. Some issues can be resolved quickly. Other are more complicated and take longer. Each person, their mental health goals, and mental health conditions are different and so is the duration of the therapy sessions. Typically, the more you put in, the better results you see. For example, The Flourishing Way group sessions have the biggest impact over a duration of several months. The teens learn how to connect with others, share their story, process their emotions, connect with their bodies through yoga, and understand themselves more fully. The connection to self and others is best done over a period of several months.

What if they don't like their therapist?

A good relationship with a therapist is important. You want your child to feel like they can share openly and talk about difficult situations. Sometimes a therapist isn't always friendly and sometimes that is because there is a lesson to learn. However, if you feel like the connection with your therapist isn't working for you or your child, always seek out someone new.

What is the youngest age to go to therapy?

Children can start at any age. For kids that can't speak yet, there is play therapy as that is the language younger children use to express their struggles, fears, and joys. 

There is a therapist for anyone, at any age who seeks support. Having an unbiased third party can help us sort through issues that to us or our loved ones are incredibly emotionally charged.

If you, your child, or teen need support navigating mental health issues, reach out to our team of therapists today.