Therapy for Teens

Adolescence can be a difficult time of growth and change. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 40% of teens report feelings of depression and hopeless annually and 21% of teens reports feelings of anxiety in any two period. And the National Institute of Mental Health identified that almost half of teens will have a mental health disorder in their lifetime.

These numbers can feel overwhelming! At The Artemis Center for Guidance, LLC, we don’t want teens or their parents to have to navigate these challenges alone. Several of our clinicians work with teens and are well equipped to meet the unique needs of teen mental health.

What Type of Therapy is Best for My Teen?

There is not one single modality of therapy that is best for teens. Just like for adults, it comes down to the unique needs, presenting concerns, and preferences of the teen to determine what type of therapy will work best. The good thing is that most there is a wide range of evidenced based and effective modalities for teens. And our team of highly trained clinicians are ready to help support your teen with many of these effective modalities.

How Do I Know My Teen Needs Therapy?

There are many signs that could indicate that your teen may need or benefit from mental health therapy:

Emotional Signs

Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or excessive worry
Frequent mood swings or intense emotional reactions
Increased irritability, anger, or aggression
Expressing feelings of worthlessness or guilt

Behavioral Changes

Withdrawal from family, friends, or activities they used to enjoy
Declining performance in school or lack of motivation
Risky or reckless behaviors (substance use, self-harm, unsafe sex, etc.)
Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia, excessive sleeping)
Sudden changes in appetite or weight
Self-harming behaviors (cutting, burning, etc.)
Talking about death, dying, or suicide

Cognitive and Thought Patterns

Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Excessive fears or worries, including irrational thoughts
Paranoia or feeling overly suspicious of others
Obsessive or compulsive behaviors

Physical Symptoms

Frequent headaches or stomachaches with no medical explanation
Complaints of feeling tired all the time
Panic attacks (racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, etc.)

And probably one of the most important things that would indicate that your teen may need or benefit from counseling is if they are asking for it!

How Can I Support My Teen’s Mental Health?

Aside from bringing them to therapy and following any specific recommendations from the therapist, there are many things you can do to support your teen’s mental health:

Encourage Open Communication

Encourage open communication – Find a balance between letting them know you are available to talk but not pressuring them to talk if they aren’t ready.
Validate Their Feelings – Acknowledge their emotions without dismissing or minimizing them. Validating doesn’t mean you are saying they are 100% right. It just let’s them know that their feelings are real and important to consider.
Respect Their Therapy Process – This involves giving them time and space to develop trust with their therapist as well as finding a balance between showing interest in their therapy and not pressuring them to tell you the details of their sessions.
Support Healthy Habits – Encourage consistent sleep, balanced nutrition, and regular physical activity and create a calm and structured home environment that works for you and your family.
Manage Your Own Reactions – Stay patient—progress in therapy takes time. Avoid taking their struggles personally; their emotions are not a reflection of your parenting.
Encourage Coping Skills & Independence – Support them in using the strategies they learn in therapy and encourage problem-solving rather than immediately stepping in to “fix” situations. But resistance can happen so don’t push it and allow them time to work through barriers in therapy.
Reduce Pressure & Expectations – Avoid overwhelming them with high academic, social, or extracurricular demands. Celebrate small wins and acknowledge their efforts. Be flexible and understanding when they need breaks.
Educate Yourself on Their Struggles – Learn about their mental health condition, therapy approach, or specific challenges. This helps you provide informed, compassionate support.
Model Healthy Emotional Expression – Kids and teens learn from what is modeled to them by their parents. Find an appropriate balance for yourself to show them that you experience similar emotions and how you deal with them without crossing over to oversharing.
Know When to Seek Additional Support
- If your teen is in crisis (self-harm, suicidal thoughts, severe distress), seek immediate professional help.
- Consider your own individual therapy if you need guidance in supporting them or just generally managing the stress of parenting.

Learn More…

To learn more about the mental
health concerns and conditions we treatment, click the button below!

To learn more about our team of
highly qualified therapists, click the link below.

To learn more about modalities our team offers, click the button below.