Teen Therapy

You feel like you and your teenager are living in two different worlds and you aren’t sure how to break through the barrier. Maybe your teen feels like no one understands what they’re going through or that there is no one they can confide in. They may have a hard time finding the words to describe how they’re really feeling. You want them to feel happy again, but the harder you try to help, the more they seem to withdraw.

Your teen is juggling so many expectations at a time when they’re still learning and growing into who they will become. They are facing many challenges and changes, such as academic stress, peer pressure, family conflict, social media, bullying, self-esteem, identity, and more. They may feel overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, angry, or confused. Often, this leads to conflict with parents, acting out, and difficulties in school.

Other common issues teens experience might include:

Identity questions and changes
Loneliness
Screen dependence
Use of illicit substances
Risky behavior
Fighting with siblings
Self-harm
Mood swings
Running away from home or school
Social anxiety and extreme shyness
Fear of missing out (FOMO)
and more…

You may feel overwhelmed and stuck when trying to help your teens navigate challenges like these. Therapy can provide your teen with a safe, non-judgmental space where they can share about the difficulties they’re facing, learn new skills to manage the unique challenges they’re experiencing, and explore who they are today and who they want to be. They can begin to feel in control of their life, ready to face the world with their own voice.

What is therapy for adolescents?

Teen therapy is a lot like therapy for adults. In fact, teen therapists like myself work hard to help my clients feel empowered to use therapy as their own private space to work on themselves. I work to help them find their voice. Parents may be less involved in therapy with a teenager compared to therapy with a younger child, although parent and family sessions are often part of the process as clinically appropriate, with your adolescent’s permission.

Your teenager will have a chance to:

Overcome fears and insecurities.
Identify unhealthy ways of thinking and acting.
Understand and empathize with others.
Discover themselves and their true values.
Open up about things that feel awkward discussing with parents.
Prepare for adulthood, college, and whatever else is next.

I offer teletherapy services that allow the teen to access therapy from the comfort of their own home or anywhere else through text and video. I utilize personally-tailored therapy methods based on your teens goals, personality, and other factors. I use different forms of therapy including Internal Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and if in person, Sand Tray (Play Therapy).

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

IFS Therapy is a type of therapy that helps teens understand and heal their inner conflicts. IFS is based on the idea that we all have different parts of ourselves that have their own feelings, thoughts, and goals. These parts can sometimes get along, but other times they can clash or hurt each other.

IFS therapy helps teens identify and communicate with their parts, especially the ones that are causing them problems. Some of these parts may be protective, trying to keep the teen safe from pain or harm. Some may be wounded, carrying the burden of past trauma or negative beliefs. Some may be creative, playful, or curious, expressing the teen’s true self.

In IFS therapy, teens use various techniques and exercises to explore their parts and their Self. For example, they may:

Keep a journal to write down their thoughts and feelings from different parts.
Use diagrams to illustrate the relationships between their parts.
Imagine a room where they can invite one part at a time and talk to it with the help of the Self.
Visualize themselves walking along a path and meeting different parts along the way.
Ask themselves “Who’s there?” whenever they feel a strong emotion or impulse and listen to the answer from the part.
Feel their heart and notice how it changes when they connect with different parts or the Self.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a type of therapy that can help teens and parents understand and cope with these challenges. CBT is a structured and organized approach that involves setting goals, practicing skills, and monitoring progress. This approach is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected and influence each other. For example, if a teen thinks that they are not good enough, they may feel sad and lonely. If they feel sad and lonely, they may isolate themselves from others or lash out in anger. If they isolate themselves or lash out, they may miss out on positive experiences and feedback that could improve their mood and self-esteem.

CBT helps teens break this cycle by teaching them how to identify, challenge, and change their negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CBT also helps them learn new skills, resources, and strategies to cope with stress, solve problems, communicate effectively, and build confidence.

Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is a trauma modality utilizing bilateral stimulation such as eye movements or light tapping on the hands, to bridge both sides of the brain in order to “reprocess” painful memories. It was developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro as she found bilateral eye movements, similar to our eye movements during REM sleep, helped her to cope with the challenges of her own breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Trauma is stored in our bodies, not just our minds. With EMDR, you can go beyond the limits of traditional talk therapy and your thoughts alone, incorporating the body aspects of trauma while with the emotional self and the negative core beliefs (such as “Nothing I ever do is enough” or “I am not safe”) that often accompany these difficult experiences. Read More.