Key Takeaways

• Therapy is helpful for teens facing challenging situations or mental health issues.

• Parents should stay alert for signs suggesting their teen may need professional help.

• For therapy to work, parents must ensure that the therapist and their techniques fit well with their teen.

The teenage years are an important stage of development, and mental health issues are common during this time. 

In fact, the teen years are when a lot of mental health conditions first appear. Therapy can be an effective way for teens to tackle their mental health concerns and learn to cope with life's challenges.

Signs That a Teenager May Need Therapy

While teens might hesitate to share their thoughts, parents can often sense if something is wrong. 

This is why it’s important to pay attention to your teen's behaviors and remain open to discussing their concerns.

 #1 Witnessing or Experiencing a Traumatic Event 

Witnessing or experiencing trauma can significantly affect your teen's emotional well-being. If not addressed, it may lead to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

#2 Physical or Sexual Abuse

Childhood trauma from abuse can have long-lasting effects on your teen, including difficulties with sleeping, eating, and academic performance.

Some may resort to drugs, alcohol, or self-harm as a way to cope. Abuse can also lead to sudden changes in mood or personality.

#3 Cyberbullying

Teens who are victims of cyberbullying are more likely to face anxiety, depression, and academic challenges. Cyberbullying also heightens their risk of suicide.

#4 Family Separation or Divorce

Emotional distress and challenges in adjusting to changes associated with divorce can create a need for therapy. Some teenagers may resort to risky behavior or become disinterested in their academics as they cope with divorce.

#5 Moving to a New School or Home

Significant life transitions can bring about new emotions and challenges that may be hard for your teen to process and handle. Feelings of homesickness, confusion, and loneliness can make therapy helpful in assisting them with these changes.

#6 The Loss of a Loved One

Grief can be overwhelming for children and teenagers. Teenagers may experience severe emotional distress when losing a loved one. This distress may manifest as depression, anxiety, anger, or difficulties in everyday functioning.

Common Mental Health Conditions in Teenagers

Mental health conditions are prevalent among teens.

They often stem from the emotional and social changes they undergo as they get older. If not addressed, these conditions can worsen.

#1 Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety disorders can make your teen feel restless, on edge, and worried to the extent that it affects their relationships and schoolwork.

Depression is a serious mental health issue among teens and leads to persistent feelings of sadness and worthlessness.

#2 Eating Disorders

Teenagers may develop eating disorders due to genetics, their environment or traumatic events.

Poor body image may also increase your teen's chance of developing an eating disorder. Calorie restriction, rapid weight loss, and lethargy are a few symptoms of eating disorders.

#3 Trauma and PTSD

Teenagers can develop post-traumatic stress disorder due to trauma they have experienced. Teens are particularly vulnerable to being exposed to trauma, including abuse, witnessing violence, and the sudden loss of a loved one. 

Is Therapy Effective for Teenagers?

Yes, therapy is effective and can help teenagers process their emotions, gain better control over their behaviors, and develop positive coping skills. 

Research also shows that therapeutic interventions are effective in reducing self-harm in adolescents.

Through therapy, teens can find a safe space to openly discuss their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. However, ensuring that your teen's therapist is a good fit is crucial for a positive outcome.

How To Know If Therapy Is Working

Therapy is a lengthy and complex process, and changes won't occur overnight. 

However, if your teen begins to make positive behavioral changes and appears engaged in treatment, then they are likely receiving the help they need. You can also directly ask them how they feel therapy is going.

How To Approach Your Teenager About Therapy

Parents should approach discussions about therapy with their teens directly. 

Choose an appropriate time and setting, like at home at the end of the day. You might begin the conversation by sharing your observations about their behaviors and explaining why you are concerned. 

To address the stigma surrounding therapy, normalize conversations about mental health and foster a positive narrative around seeking help.

By remaining open and nonjudgmental, your teen may be more open to the idea of pursuing therapy.

How To Find the Right Therapist for a Teenager 

To find the right therapist for your teen, identify what you want in a therapist. Would your teen prefer online or in-person therapy?

Teens may gravitate towards online therapy due to convenience, less stigma, and their comfort level with online communication.

 In-person therapy may be better in cases requiring immediate intervention.

So, if your teen has self-harm behaviors or has had a recent psychiatric hospitalization, in-person therapy may be advisable.

If distractions at home make online therapy difficult, in-person therapy may be a better alternative.

Parental Involvement in the Therapy Process

While parental involvement is important in therapy for teenagers, it's also important to offer support without being overbearing.

Many parents want to know what their teens discuss in counseling sessions.

What a client communicates to a therapist is considered confidential and safeguarded by privacy laws. This confidentiality can only be breached in very specific situations where the client or someone else is at risk of harm.

Parents can still be involved in counseling by communicating with their therapist, supporting the treatment plan at home, and reinforcing their teen's positive behaviors.

Early intervention and therapeutic support are vital for teens struggling with their mental health.

If you suspect your teen has a mental health issue, enroll them in therapy right away. This enables them to care for their mental health. Support your teen by using Emora Health to find a therapist today.

Takeaways

The teenage years are an important time for mental and emotional growth, and therapy can provide valuable support.

By recognizing the signs that a teen may need help and finding the right therapist, parents can play a key role in their child’s well-being.

Early intervention and open conversations about mental health can make a lasting impact. If you’re concerned about your teen, seeking therapy now can help them build resilience and thrive.

Find a Virtual Therapist for Teenagers with Emora Health

Emora Health connects families with licensed therapists who specialize in ADHD and evidence-based treatments like behavioral therapy, CBT, and social skills training.

Emora Health emphasizes a holistic approach, addressing not only the symptoms but also the well-being of the entire family.

By offering resources, counseling, and education, they help create a supportive environment where teenagers can thrive.

Get started today.

Sources

1. Arnon S, Brunstein Klomek A, Visoki E, Moore TM, Argabright ST, DiDomenico GE, Benton TD, Barzilay R. Association of Cyberbullying Experiences and Perpetration With Suicidality in Early Adolescence. JAMA Netw Open. 2022 Jun 1;5(6):e2218746. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.18746.    

2. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.