Being a teenager comes with a unique set of challenges. Many teenagers may experience stress during adolescence due to heavy academic workloads, discovering their identity, and social lives. Today, families often seek counseling to manage these stressors.

Counseling may support teens experiencing bullying, or who may question their gender or identity. Other teenagers might experience a mental health challenge during the teenage years that requires counseling. Counseling aims to help teenagers discover their place in the world and learn more about themselves, and counselors can be a supportive presence in a teen's life, whether they are going through a mental health crisis or are experiencing common challenges associated with adolescent development and the teenage years. This article will help you learn more about teenage counseling, what to look for in an adolescent counselor, and how to work together with your teen’s counselor to foster well-being for your child.

Considering therapy for your teen?

If your teen experiences difficulty handling school, social, or family stress, teen therapy may be beneficial. Many teenagers do not know that counseling for teens is an option or might have heard mental health myths at school that deter them from wanting to try. 

While it can be common for parents to want to be heavily involved in their teen’s counseling process, many counseling techniques tend to be most effective when the teen feels comfortable opening up about their true thoughts and emotions. Having a parent in the room may affect their communication skills and willingness to be honest with their trained counselor. 

It may be helpful for you to speak to the counselor separately about your teen’s behaviors and any concerns you have, but in general, your teen should get the opportunity to speak with the counselor on their own. Various counseling techniques may teach them emotional regulation strategies and help them understand the roots of the challenges they’re experiencing.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Text or call 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. Support is available 24/7. If you are experiencing trauma, support is available.

Although you may have the "final word", including your teen in choosing a suitable counselor might make the prospect of counseling sound more comforting to them. You can also explain the therapeutic process and how teen counseling could benefit them. If you see a counselor yourself, explain how counseling benefits you and lead by example.

As a parent, knowing what to expect from teen counseling can be beneficial. The process may look slightly different from adult counselor. 

Starting teen counseling: Benefits of teen counseling for your child

As a parent or family member,you might not be invited to your teen's first session with their counselor. Parents often act as their teen's representatives regarding medical decision-making. Although clauses may not apply to minors in therapy, a counselor might ask a parent to agree to specific contracts before treating their teen. In some cases, a counselor may not offer information to you if they believe it could harm the minor, and it can be vital to respect your teen’s boundaries.

A counselor's job is to build a strong therapeutic relationship with their teen patient and help them become independent by setting goals and measuring progress through counseling. In some cases, this could be paired with parenting classes to help caregivers learn strategies for coping with emotional distress, as well as setting up a safety plan. One's age is an important factor in determining the type of therapy they receive. Teen counselors are typically well-versed in adolescent development and the changes that are common during these years, which can help them structure the therapy process accordingly. It is also important to keep in mind that progress may be slow, and they may need more than a few counseling sessions before seeing positive changes.

Understanding your teen's core mental health challenge

The type of therapy used in treating teen mental health conditions may depend on the precipitating problem. If you want your teen to attend counseling because they're struggling academically, the counselor may find underlying causes or other concerns to work through first. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of talk therapy that helps teenagers learn skills to cope with stress, manage emotions, and improve communication. It is sometimes used to treat those with eating disorders or other mental health challenges.

Often, establishing rapport and trust is essential in therapy. After the initial intake session (with or without the parents), the counselor may spend the next session getting to know them. The counselor could ask questions about their likes and interests, as well as their family history. If the teen has a health history of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or eating disorders, the counselor may ask what treatments or coping skills they’ve tried in the past.

As the parent, the counselor may speak to you about some of the concerns brought up in counseling, especially those related to severe mental health conditions, depending on their policies. As you collaborate with the counselor, you may choose to have open discussions with your teen and improve dynamics at home. This can be a great way to measure therapy progress, as you are the first people to notice changes in behavior and attitude. Some therapists may run a counseling session for you and your teen in two separate session environments so you both can work on moving forward together.

Understanding teen boundaries and building trust

When young clients work with an adolescent counselor, they may learn emotional regulation and communication skills to use in times of emotional distress. In general, teens should get to decide whether they’d like to discuss what they’ve talked about in therapy with a family member, and caregivers should put effort into respecting the teen’s boundaries. Allowing teens to have a reasonable, age-appropriate sense of independence can be important for their development and mental health.

Types of therapies used in adolescent counseling

There are many approaches to clinical mental health counseling. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a common modality that helps individuals understand the connections between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Meanwhile, acceptance and commitment therapy can help people accept that challenges are a natural part of life and behave in accordance with their personal values. 

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) teaches healthy ways to tolerate distress, as well as interpersonal and emotion regulation skills. Art therapy could be a way to engage teens beyond more traditional counseling psychology options. Adolescent counselors who practice clinical psychology often have expertise in different areas, so it may be worth talking to your teen about which approaches are most appealing to them.

Find teen counseling

Where do I find teen counseling near me? When looking for licensed counselors for therapy services, you might meet with your teen's primary care physician or pediatrician and discuss a potential referral to a psychologist or other accredited mental health professionals in your area. In many cases, a counselor may offer a free consultation to evaluate the teen’s overall mental health condition.

While seeking mental health support for your teen, you can start your search online and call the professionals that stand out to you. You can ask about any concerns you have and discuss factors like the counselor's availability, whether they accept insurance, and your potential out-of-network benefits or out-of-pocket costs with insurance coverage. Some health insurance plans may help cover in-person counseling or online counseling services.

How to prepare your teen for counseling

When you first talk to your teen about therapy, they may feel resistant. It can be normal to resist what they're uncomfortable with. You might consider the following techniques to help them become open to the idea of teen therapy.

Most people struggle when decisions are made for them without their input. Before telling them to start therapy, provide them with information about the therapy process and treatment goals and ask them if they think therapy sessions could benefit them. You might pass along mental health resources and information about live sessions or in-person visits versus online therapy platforms. 

Let them know that you support them, no matter what, even if someone has hurt them, helping them protect their mental health can make a big difference. If they decide to try counseling themselves, they may be more likely to approach it with an open mind.

Addressing common mental health challenges faced by teens

Teenagers can face many of the same mental health challenges as adults, including the following:

• Temporary emotional distress
• A mental health crisis 
• A substance use crisis
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• An eating disorder like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder
• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Many providers focus specifically on adolescent health and strive to help young clients develop self-awareness and enhanced well-being. If your teen or young adult is experiencing mental health concerns, helping them seek the support they deserve can be beneficial.

When a teen is in crisis: Emergency resources and safety plans

If your teen has experienced or is currently experiencing a mental health crisis, putting together a safety plan can be important. First, you might make note of any of your teen’s behaviors that could indicate they are in emotional distress. Next, you could take note of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, and the ability to chat online with crisis counselors, and ensure your teen is aware of these resources. Knowing how you will get medical care for your teen if they experience a substance use crisis can also be vital. Finally, if your teen has any diagnosed conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, having the contact information for their current care team can be helpful.

Helping teens navigate identity and emotional growth

Self-discovery tends to be an important part of adolescent development. Teens typically begin to develop more self-awareness and may start thinking about their values, goals, dreams, and other aspects of the self, such as sexual orientation. As a parent or caregiver, displaying healthy ways to navigate emotion regulation and finding ways to engage teens, such as through shared hobbies and activities, can help your teen more effectively manage the transition to becoming a young adult.

Going to counseling as a parent of a teenager

Knowing how to react when your child has trouble coping or adjusting to life as they transition to adulthood can be challenging. If this is the case for you, there are many ways to seek help, including therapist-assisted parenting teen tips.

A professional counselor may teach you more about your child's mental health condition and potentially help you through any resultant mental health difficulties you may be experiencing. Caring for your mental health may teach healthy coping strategies to your child and reduce stigmas around seeking mental health support. Studies show that online therapy programs can help parents learn strategies for parenting teen girls and boys who are experiencing complicated emotions related to mental health issues.  One study published in Internet Interventions—a peer-reviewed scientific journal—found that an online parenting platform was effective in helping parents recognize symptoms of depression and anxiety in their teens. This recognition lets the parents know when to step in and seek help for their children.  

A qualified mental health professional can help your child learn positive coping skills when they experience complicated emotions. If you're ready to try online therapy, consider an online therapist through a platform like BetterHelp for those over 18. As long as you have a reliable internet connection, BetterHelp can provide various online therapy methods and counselor options. If you hope to sign your child up for online counseling, TeenCounseling is available to those ages 13-19.