Therapy for Teens

This generation is growing up in a fast-paced world, constantly consuming and filled with anxiety.

But we can help them sort through it all and find their voice.

Teens are being weighed down by all the pressure--socially, academically, and mentally.

They’re absorbing more information than any generation before them and you can see the effects. Maybe they're isolating, doom scrolling, or morphing parts of themselves just to fit in. Maybe they're engaging in risky behaviors, finding themselves in the middle of the “drama”, or replaying every interaction, convincing themselves that they said something “wrong”.

You want them to see how bright they are, to be true to themselves, find good friends, and, even engage with the family more. You know it's normal for them to start pushing away, but you wish they'd come out of their room and at least say 'hello'.

Therapy can be a space to navigate the complexities of teenhood, make sense of the “I don’t knows” and build a stronger sense of self.

Under all of all this pressure, you’re seeing them swing between unmanageable anxiety and shutting down.

They might constantly worry about grades, obsess over assignments, or be convinced they failed even when the results say otherwise. You’ve reminded them time and time again that their effort matters more than straight As, but they continue to be stuck in their own unrealistic standards.

On the other end, you may notice the anxiety showing up as withdrawal instead of worry. Perhaps they appear as if they’ve lost their motivation, their confidence has dipped, and they’ve been avoiding their schoolwork. It can look like they don’t care, but underneath is fear that their efforts won’t be enough.

Both patterns are rooted in anxiety. It is possible for them to learn effective skills and build self-compassion.

You know they're capable, but, sometimes, you may wonder about their readiness to launch.

You hope you taught them the skills to prepare them for adulthood, whether that looks like college, trade school, gap year, or taking on new responsibilities. But as this transition approaches, you’re noticing them struggle with tasks and responsibilities that they “should” know how to do.

You want them to succeed, to be respectful, responsible, and mature. To have an idea on their next steps, to understand the value of hard work, build lasting friendships, and still know they can come to you for anything. You might find yourself asking, “Are they ready?”

And if you’re a teen reading this, you’re not “too sensitive”, behind, or dramatic. You’re navigating a world that moves fast and asks a lot of you. You are not to blame in these struggles.