Therapy for Teens
Life for teenagers can be challenging. Navigating the waters of social media, coping with anxiety, dealing with pressure at school, and struggling with body image issues are some of the most common stressors in a teenager’s life. And talking about these problems with their parents isn’t always easy. Teens often fear how their parents will react to their problems and that can make them feel uneasy about confiding in them2. Parents are often left feeling helpless and worried about their children, wondering what they can do to help.
Some common reasons why teens may want to consider therapy include:
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Behavioral problems
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Bullying
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Cultural or racial discrimination
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Depression
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Discovering sexuality, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity
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Eating disorders
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Grief
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Loneliness
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Problems with self-awareness, self-esteem, or self-worth
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Relationship problems
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School
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Self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or risky behaviours
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Social-related issues
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Stress
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Substance use (alcohol, drugs, nicotine, vaping)
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Trauma
Working with a therapist for teens can be a beneficial and safe option for many families. Having an adult who will listen to what’s troubling them often results in teenagers feeling better about their problems. Oftentimes, teenagers react positively to psychotherapy by discovering that their issues are normal and common3. When we’re young, we can feel that we are the only people who are struggling to make friends, get good grades, and figure out who we are.
Choosing the right therapist for your teenager can feel daunting. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a few questions to ask before making a decision. Good questions include:
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Do you have experience working with teens?
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What types of therapy do you offer?
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How will I know if therapy is working?
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How long does therapy take?
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Are you a licensed psychotherapist?
Craig Norton Psychotherapy offers initial consultation for families who are seeking a therapist for teenagers. The initial consultation can be done over the phone, online, or in person. There is no charge for the initial consultation, and there is no obligation or commitment. Finding the right therapist for your teen is important and there shouldn’t be any pressure for you to choose someone you don’t feel comfortable with4. You are also welcome to include your teenager for the initial consultation to let them gauge how comfortable they are with their therapist.
Therapy can help manage big emotions. Being a teenager these days is tough. We’re here to help.
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Crits-Christoph, P., Rieger, A., Gaines, A., & Gibbons, M. B. (2019). Trust and respect in the patient-clinician relationship: Preliminary development of a new scale. BMC Psychology, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-019-0347-3
Castro, C. (2023, January 29). Why teenagers reject parents’ solutions to their problems? Motherhoods Bliss. https://www.motherhoodsbliss.com/why-teenagers-reject-parents-solutions-to-their-problems/
Lewis, A. (2022, September 1). This is why your teen won’t always tell you about their day. Parents. https://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/teenagers/why-teenagers-dont-talk-to-their-parents/
Pickhardt, C. (2014, November 3). When adolescents start talking less to parents. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/surviving-your-childs-adolescence/201411/when-adolescents-start-talking-less-parents