Therapy for Teens
The teen years are an essential period of development, when one develops their identify. Unfortunately, mental health struggles are not uncommon. Therapy designed specifically for teens can be a helpful resource to address the concerns and challenges of life’s everyday demands.
Signs your teen may be having mental health difficulties:
Mood swings, Irritability, Anger and Tearfulness
Notable changes in sleep, weight, or eating habits
Loss of interest in the things they usually love or quitting activities that they enjoy
Withdrawing more than usual from friends and family
Academic struggles that seem different or more intense
Running thoughts or worries that won't leave them alone
Refusing to talk about what's bothering them, even after you've made it as safe as possible to discuss hard issues openly
Obsession with a certain goal, possibly with the belief that if they don't achieve it, their life will never be the same
Signs of drug, alcohol or other substance use
Signs of self-harm such as cuts, burns, bruises, etc. that your teen tries to hide
Sexual activity or interest that seems new or more intense than before
Some of the evidenced-based interventions we utilize with teens are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), as well as a specialization of those who self-harm.
CBT is a form of psychotherapy that allows teens to identify and improve how they think, feel, and behave. CBT is effective for many issues facing teens such as anxiety, stress, depression, social conflicts, behavioral issues, and anger/resentment.
CBT works primarily by helping individuals identify and improve maladaptive patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, based on learned patterns of unhelpful behavior. Some of the benefits of CBT for teens include:
Improved self-esteem / Improved communication / Improved social skills
Ability to stop thoughts that lead to self-destructive behaviors
Improved ability to shift negative thought patterns and Manage stress
Ability to manage and reduce irrational fears, anxieties, and phobias
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
DBT shares many concepts with CBT and DBT skills are used for many different mental health conditions, including those that involve destructive behavior. DBT skills for teens cover four distinct areas: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness. Adolescent DBT also utilizes prescribed approaches to strengthen relationships by helping teens engage in healthy conflict, respect others’ viewpoints, and express their own wants and needs in an appropriate way. DBT also focuses on improving self-confidence and self-esteem.
DBT has been proven effective for: Borderline Personality Disorder / Self-Harm / Substance Use Disorder / Depression / PTSD / ADHD / Anger Issues
Self-harm is the act of deliberately injuring oneself, often through cutting. Self-injurious behavior is not the same as a suicide attempt. Though some individuals who self-harm may attempt suicide, in general, acts of self-harm do not indicate a desire to end one's life. However, they can still endanger one’s mental and physical health and if left untreated, the behavior may continue for many years.
Many people use self-harm as a coping mechanism when feeling emotionally overwhelmed. And although self-injury can begin at any age, it most often begins between the ages of 13 and 15. And in the United States, self-harm occurs most often among adolescents and college students. Individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+ are more likely to self-injure than their heterosexual counterparts. Our therapists can help individuals find more effective coping mechanisms and help address the underlying issues which can lead to self-harm.