Is Your Teenager Feeling Lonely, Depressed, Or Anxious?

Have you noticed concerning changes in their behavior?

Are they isolating more than usual and spending all their free time in front of a screen? 

Do you worry that you’ll just make things worse if you try to help them?

Your teenager might be struggling with bullying, academic troubles, substance abuse, or questions about their sexuality. Perhaps they’re suffering from low self-esteem or negative body image—they’re unsatisfied with who they are and it’s hurting their confidence. Deep down, maybe they feel like they just don’t belong anywhere. For the first time, you might find yourself considering a teen therapist.

You May Notice That Your Teenager Is Pulling Away From Family And Friends

Maybe there are family activities that everyone used to enjoy, such as going to a movie together or going out to dinner, but suddenly your teenager doesn’t want to participate. They’d rather stay in their room and scroll Tik Tok or play video games. Although you want to help out, they might be resistant and hostile when you ask questions or make suggestions.

What’s more, it may be impossible to predict how they’ll respond to you. One week the things you say to your teen are benign—the next, the very same things make them angry and upset. As a result, you probably feel like you’re walking on eggshells with your teen.

Parenting a teen is hard, but that’s why we’re here. At Lift Wellness Group, our compassionate approach to therapy can give your teen the skills they need to regulate their emotions and help them improve their relationship with you.

Today’s Teens Are Struggling With Their Mental Health At An Alarming Rate

The stats are sobering—roughly 57 percent of teen girls report feeling sad or hopeless and 52 percent of LGBTQ+ youth say they suffer from poor mental health.* Put simply, today’s teens are struggling at an unprecedented rate. They had to live through a global pandemic that turned their whole world upside down. Many of them went from having a normal childhood to being cooped up at home with little to no social life.

Additionally, today’s teens are constantly surrounded by media and technology and live increasingly online lives. It’s hard for them to unplug and relax when they get home from school, because their virtual reality never goes away. All over Tik Tok and Instagram, they see other teens with seemingly happier lives than them, making them feel lonely, inadequate, and left out. 

As The Parent, You May Not Be Able To Relate To All Of Your Teen’s Challenges

Your teenager is growing up in a very different world than the one you grew up in. Because they’re so used to doing everything virtually, they may not have the confidence to speak up in person. For example, they might struggle to order at a restaurant or have a face-to-face conversation with another person. You might have trouble relating to their difficulties, creating misunderstanding between the two of you.

At Lift Wellness Group, our therapists have a lot of experience working with teens from this generation. We’re confident that we can connect with your teen on a deeper level and help them feel seen, heard, and understood.

Therapy Can Help Your Teen Realize They’re Not Alone And Connect With Their Full Potential

Many people misread the signs of a struggling teen, chalking up their behavior to “rebellious attitudes” or “normal teenage difficulties.” The fact that you’re seeking therapy for your teen shows that you understand something more complex is going on. It’s one of the most supportive things you can do as a parent.

Therapy will give your teenager a safe, nonjudgmental place to talk about the challenges of navigating a complex world. Instead of telling your teenager what to do, our therapists are here to listen to your teen and empower them to find the answers themselves with guidance and coaching. We provide counseling for a wide variety of youth, including those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community and other marginalized populations.

What To Expect In Teen Counseling Sessions

If your teenager is under 18, we will meet with you individually during the intake session so that we can get your perspective on their struggles. If they’re over 18, they have the option of coming with or without you for the first session. Although the majority of counseling will involve just your teen, parental inclusion is sometimes helpful if your teen’s issues are family-related.

In addition to providing individual therapy for teens, our practice offers group therapy. Being surrounded by other kids with similar challenges can help your teen realize that they’re not alone and feel more secure in sharing their feelings. It also gives teens a chance to boost their social support and make deeper, more meaningful connections with their age group.

Our Approach To Teen Therapy

We draw from a wide range of approaches to help teens, since every teenager is different. Our practice often uses Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), which can give your teen skills for modulating, regulating, and tolerating their emotions. These skills can help your teen increase their mindful awareness and reduce their impulsivity, allowing them to live more thoughtfully and intentionally.

By giving your teen an atmosphere of warmth and compassion and teaching them real-life coping skills, we believe that we can help them get back on track. The teenage years may be hard, but your teen is not alone and they are capable of so much more than they realize.

You May Have Some Concerns About Teen Therapy…

What if my teen is just going through a phase and it won’t last?

If you have a feeling that something isn’t right or your intuition is nudging you to check it out, it’s best to reach out. After all, the fact that you’re reading this page shows you’re concerned about your teen. Even if your teen’s struggles will one day pass, untreated mental health issues can add up and cause more complex problems down the road. Getting therapy for your teen gives them the best chance of having a happy and fulfilling future.

Our family doesn’t believe in talking to people outside of our circle.

At Lift Wellness Group, all of our sessions are confidential. We’re not going to contact your teen’s school or anyone else in their life about their treatment. That said, we know it’s hard to reach out when your family doesn’t understand or support the therapeutic process. We are here to reassure you that no one can handle all of life’s stressors on their own, and that’s why therapy is so important. It gives your teen a chance to talk with a skilled professional who is not biased or personally involved in their circle.

We have a lot of financial constraints and don’t know if we can afford therapy.

We know there are a lot of competing demands on families in today’s economy. If that’s holding you back from pursuing therapy, please call us and we can discuss ways to accommodate your situation. We are sometimes able to offer a sliding scale for our clients and provide superbills that you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement. We are confident that we can come up with a plan that suits your financial needs.

Set Your Teen Up For A Happier And More Successful Future

If you want to get in touch with a teen therapist and give your child a chance to thrive, we encourage you to use the contact form or call our intake number at 203-908-5603. We look forward to working with you!

* https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/13/health/teen-health-risks-cdc-survey/index.html

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Contact Information

Phone: (203) 908-5603

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