Teen Therapy

​No one ever said anything about these feelings…

It wasn’t like Mia* to keep secrets, but she found herself lying and hiding more and more every day. She was 16. Middle school was hard enough, and she was so sure that high school would be easier. But it wasn’t, and she had all these feelings she just couldn’t shake.

She’d heard of depression and anxiety… and thought she might have both. Whatever was going on in her head… it just didn’t feel normal.

But who would understand or believe her if she tried to explain it?

She thought it was better to tough it out…

That way, no one would notice. What she hadn’t realized was that EVERYONE noticed.

Her parents, friends, teachers, and coach… all knew something was off. Mia didn’t smile anymore. She didn’t laugh. She went through her day feeling empty and alone.

Then Mia got caught. Her parents found the vape she’d hidden under her bed. She got it from a friend. They told her it would take the edge off and help her relax… maybe even sleep at night.

Sleep was something that Mia couldn’t do anymore. She just lay awake in bed as her thoughts spun of control. All the “what-ifs” were so scary. What if everyone hated her? What if she failed? What if she let others down? What if her parents knew how she felt? What if she just made everyone else miserable? What if…

Mia worked up the courage to ask if she could see a therapist.

She knew a couple of friends who had been in therapy, and she wondered if it was something she could try. Her parents didn’t think it was necessary – that it was probably “just a phase” she was going through.

But they thought… why not? Maybe the therapist could tell Mia there’s nothing to worry about and everything is normal.

I have worked with so many teens like Mia. It’s like they are holding their breath… just waiting for someone to come and tell them it’s okay to exhale.

Let’s take a look at your first appointment…

I always ask that the teen and at least one parent or guardian take part in the first appointment.

I conduct a thorough assessment, learning as much as I can about your teen and your family.

In my experience, that first appointment opens the lines of communication between adults and the teen like never before. I have seen parents learn for the first time that their child has felt suicidal, tried to harm themselves, experienced bullying, or tried drugs. Sometimes teens take the lead and talk about topics of interest to them: their sexuality, experience of anxiety or depression, or the impact of previous traumatic experiences.

It’s not always this open, but the first session establishes a team and a purpose, as the therapist, parents or guardians, and the teen are all working together to help make life better for a kid like Mia.

Individual therapy for teens can be life-changing and life-saving.

In this stage of life, teens struggle with their identity, beliefs, independence, academic and vocational goals, social status, sexuality, and decisions.

It’s challenging enough without the added stress of a mental health issue like anxiety, ADHD, depression, or PTSD. It’s nearly IMPOSSIBLE with those extra passengers along for the ride who are constantly jumping into the driver’s seat and grabbing the wheel.

I hold the space and create safety so that your teen can make sense of the mess… so that he or she can answer some big questions that may have been previously kept under lock and key:

What part of this is “normal”? Does everyone go through this?

What challenges are unique to my life?

How does my brain work for and against me?

What exactly IS anxiety (or depression or other mental health disorder the teen may be worried about), and do I have it?

How do I cope with my emotions and moods?

How do I communicate effectively with parents, friends, teachers, and the world?

Am I ALWAYS going to feel this way?

By gaining insight into how their mind works, building skills for dealing with problems, and navigating their social world with friends, your teen can begin to take control and make decisions that promote health, safety, mental wellness, and solid relationships.

Therapy sessions are tailored and planned specifically for your teen.

His or her needs, preferences, and personality style are all considered.

Some teens come to each session knowing exactly what they need to talk about. When they do, that’s where we start! Others need some guidance and direction. After I’ve gotten to know your teen very well, I’ll be able to ask the most important questions – like about school, a certain friendship, a dating relationship, or a sport or activity in which they participate regularly.

Your teen will have specific therapy goals, and you’ll be invited to participate in treatment planning and receive regular feedback about progress. To protect your teen’s privacy and keep a trusting therapeutic relationship, I can’t tell you everything your teen talks about. However, I keep adults in the loop with regular contact. I want to hear your observations, answer your questions, and give you feedback about how your teen is doing.

Rest assured you will be the first to know if a situation arises that affects your teen’s health or safety. I explain the limits of confidentiality to every teen that I work with, and they understand that I must report and get help if there is any risk of harm to themselves or others… or if they are being harmed by someone else.

Along the way, I may also make recommendations…

… to start some other services or get in touch with other resources.

I always keep the whole teen in mind. If it seems like sleep or eating habits are a problem, it might be time to seek a medical exam to rule out a health concern. If there are problems specifically with grades, the school may be able to do some assessments to find out if there’s a learning issue.

Getting involved with extracurricular or community activities might help enhance and enrich the teen’s mental wellness, and I can give you some ideas about that, too.