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10 Reasons Teens Go to Therapy
Many teens might find it beneficial to meet with therapists specializing in 13-25 year olds to discuss their problems. Teens frequently find it easier to open up to a trained counselor than to talk to their parents about what might be troubling them. Therapy doesn’t have to be reserved only for major concerns or life altering issues. In fact, sessions with a therapist can prevent minor issues from turning into bigger ones. There are many reasons why teen counseling might be appropriate – the following discusses ten of them.
1. Depression
Mood swings are common during the adolescent years. However, if a teen seems to be having difficulty snapping out of their moodiness and is irritable, sad, and withdrawn, they might be suffering from depression. An accurate diagnosis of depression and early intervention are key components to effective treatment.
2. Anxiety Disorders
Now and again, all teens will worry about various issues, but some experience more intense, longer-lasting anxiety. They may feel tense and anxious about speaking in front of the class, not measuring up to their parents’ academic expectations, or they may be constantly worrying that bad things are going to happen. Therapy could be the key to easing these and other fears.
3. Stress
Modern teenagers have to deal with a lot of stress. They may be stressed out because of pressure to ace an exam or worried about getting into a good college after high school. Persistent high levels of stress can have lasting adverse effects on a teen’s health. Therapy can help a teen learn life-lasting skills to manage stress successfully.
4. Low Self-Esteem
The majority of adolescents will struggle with self-confidence issues at one time or another. However, a serious self-esteem issue should not be left unaddressed as it puts the teen at a higher risk for more severe problems like academic failure, self-harm, and substance abuse. Sessions with a therapist can help raise the level of a teen’s self-esteem.
5. School-Related Problems
There are numerous school-related issues that a teen may have problems with. For example, issues may involve failing to fit in with peers, non-acceptance by a clique, being bullied, dislike of a teacher, or failing grades. Therapy can provide teens with valuable support and teach them ways to help navigate the stresses of high school life successfully.
6. Behavioral Problems
Behavioral problems may involve a teen being suspended from school, repeatedly violating their parents’ curfew limits, or behaving aggressively towards family members or friends. Some reasons a teen is behaving badly may be related to social problems, skill deficits, or mental health issues. A therapist can help get to the bottom of what may be driving this inappropriate behavior.
7. Trauma
Teens can find it much harder to handle trauma than adults. In fact, a traumatic event, like a car accident or a sexual assault, can have a lifelong negative impact on a teen. Counseling can be very effective in helping to increase the teen’s resilience to the effects of the trauma and reduce the impact of the traumatic event on the adolescent’s current and future life.
8. Grief
It can be extraordinarily difficult for a teen to cope with the loss of a loved family member or a close friend. Teens grieve deeply but often have difficulty in sharing how they feel with their parents. A counselor who specializes in working with young people can help a teen sort out their feelings, make sense of their loss, and cope with their grief.
9. Substance Abuse
Unfortunately, the use of drugs, alcohol, and vaping can turn into serious dependency problems for teenagers. A counselor trained to assess teenage substance abuse can advise parents of the most appropriate course to take. The form treatment takes will be dependent upon the severity of the substance abuse and could involve individual therapy, group therapy, detox, or residential treatment.
10. Legal Problems
Unfortunately, teens sometimes get into trouble with the law. Reasons include underage drinking, fighting, or shoplifting. Sometimes, they will end up on probation and are required to receive counseling. Whether counseling is mandatory or not, therapy can help a teen learn how to make wiser choices in future so that further brushes with the law can be avoided.
Where is the Best Teen Counseling in the Phoenix Area?
If you think talking to a therapist would be beneficial for your teen, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with Doorways. Our counselors are trained to help teens with their problems be they big or small. Whether your adolescent could benefit from just a few short counseling sessions or needs longer-term therapy, we can make a big difference to your teen’s overall well-being. So make a no-obligation, free-of-charge appointment with us today.
7 Signs Your Teen Needs Professional Counseling
As parents of teens, sometimes it is hard to determine what could be a sign of a serious problem and what is a normal part of growing up.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, a nationwide survey of students in grades 9 – 12 found that 16% of students reported considering suicide, 13% created a plan, and 8% reported a suicide attempt in the year preceding the survey. About 157,000 adolescents between the ages of 10 and 24 receive medical care for self-inflicted injuries across the US. How do you know what is a sign of a serious problem and when to seek professional counseling for your teen?
- Depression
Many teens suffer from mild depression on and off throughout adolescence, but when it persists for long periods of time or is coupled with self-esteem issues, anxiety, or tumultuous life events, it may be time to seek professional help. The Center for Young Women’s Health recommends monitoring depression signs for two weeks, and if symptoms do not lift, it is more than just sadness or mood swings.
- Substance Abuse
Substance abuse, an issue on its own, is often seen in conjunction with other mental health issues such as depression and low self-esteem. Your adolescent may be trying to cope with these issues by self-medication with recreational drugs, which will only make the issues worse. Anytime substance abuse is present, it is time for counseling.
- Eating Disorders
Signs of eating disorders are changes in eating habits, hiding food, binging and purging, or making excuses not to eat. Like many other health issues, eating disorders are often the result of other mental health problems, and can cause physical health issues as well.
- Angry Outbursts
An inability to control their temper or having angry outbursts over small matters are signs of larger mental health issues. It is usually a cover for emotional pain and depression, but may just be a sign that your teen has not learned healthy outlets for emotions. Either way, professional counseling may have great benefits for your adolescent in teaching them healthy coping mechanisms.
- Isolation
Having a social life is important for being healthy emotionally for everyone, and especially adolescents. If your teen is isolated from his or her peers, it could lead to depression and self-esteem issues. If they are isolating themselves intentionally, it could be a sign these mental health issues are already present.
- Physical Health Problems
Stress, depression, and anxiety can cause stomach problems, high blood pressure, and heart problems. When mental health issues are left untreated, they can cause severe physical health problems as well. These symptoms of emotional issues shouldn’t be ignored.
- Self-Harm
Signs of self-harm are often the biggest warning signals parents should watch out for. Whether or not a suicide attempt has taken place, self-harm is indicative of severe emotional health issues and professional counseling should be sought after.
If you think your teen’s mental health might be at stake, seek help right away. Mental health is just as important as physical health and should be taken seriously.