Therapy For Teens

Teenagers face a unique set of challenges and stressors that can significantly impact their mental health and well-being, often leading to a need for therapy. Some reasons why a teen might require therapy in today's context include:

-Increased Academic Pressure

-Peer Relationships

-Body Image and Self Esteem

-Substance Use

-Identity and Self Exploration

-Family Dynamics

-Stressful Transitions (i.e. moving cities/schools)

-Parent Divorce/Separation

-Grief/Loss

-Pandemic

Therapy for teenagers can facilitate numerous positive changes that contribute to their mental health, emotional well-being, and overall development. Some of the positive changes that therapy can help your teen with include:

-Improved Coping Skills     

-Enhanced Communication Skills   

-Increased Self Awareness

-Increased Self Esteem  

-Improved Relationships                  

-Emotional Regulation

-Problem Solving Skills     

-Encourages Independence             

-Effective Stress Management

Parental involvement in their teenager's therapy can be highly beneficial and supportive to the therapeutic process. Here are several ways parents can participate and support their teen's therapy:

-Collaboration with the therapist.

-Supporting therapy goals at home.

-Implementing therapeutic techniques at home.

-Maintaining open communication with your teen.

-Respecting Confidentiality Boundaries between therapist and teen client. 

-Educating yourself on teens mental health issues. 

-Taking care of your own wellbeing (i.e. therapy, exercise, socialization).

Ultimately, the decision of how long a teenager sees their therapist depends on the individual's progress, the treatment plan, and ongoing assessment by both the therapist and the teenager themselves. Open communication between the teenager, parents (if involved), and the therapist is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of therapy and determine the best course of action regarding session frequency and duration.

Sessions can vary from either once a week, every other week, or bimonthly. It truly depends on the signs and symptoms the teen is exhibiting. If the teen is high risk (i.e. suicidal or homicidal ideation, self harming behavior), I highly recommend sessions are weekly to monitor for safety and risk. 

Therapists working with minors typically adhere to confidentiality guidelines while also considering the well-being of the minor and the involvement of parents or guardians. Here's a general overview of what therapists might share with parents of minors:

Limits of Confidentiality: Therapists usually inform both the minor and their parents about the limits of confidentiality at the beginning of therapy. They might explain situations where they're required by law to disclose information, such as instances of harm to the minor or others, or if there's suspicion of abuse or neglect.

Progress and General Updates: Therapists may share general information about the minor's progress in therapy, treatment goals, and overall direction of the therapeutic process without disclosing specific confidential details.

Collaboration and Involvement: Therapists often encourage collaboration between parents and the minor in therapy, discussing treatment plans, strategies for support at home, and ways parents can contribute positively to the minor's progress.

Education and Guidance: Therapists might provide parents with psychoeducation, resources, and guidance on parenting techniques, communication strategies, and ways to support their child's mental health outside of therapy sessions.

Risk Assessment and Safety Concerns: Therapists are obligated to inform parents if they believe the minor is at risk of self-harm, harm to others, or if there are concerns about their safety and well-being.