Teen Therapy
You’re concerned about your teen’s behavior.
Lately, your son or daughter seems more irritable, depressed, or anxious
Trouble in school. Your teen doesn’t seem to be getting along with their peers and that’s left you feeling very concerned.
Adolescence is hard even in the best of situations. After all, teenagers face a combination of societal pressure, peer pressure, and academic pressure. Then, you add all of the changes they’re facing right now and everything going on in the world around them. At times, the stress can be debilitating. Your child is old enough to have their own thoughts, opinions, and identity. However, they still need guidance and support from you as their parent or caretaker. They may want independence, but they’re not quite ready for it yet. And, on top of it all, they are trying to create their own identity and figure out their place in the world. So, it’s no wonder so many teens experience mental health struggles.
Common issues that bring teens to counseling:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Trauma
- Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
- Identity confusion
- Sexual or gender confusion
- Issues at school
- Problems getting along with parents and/or siblings
- Parental divorce or separation
- Grief and loss
As a result, each of these issues can significantly impact a teen’s daily life and overall well-being. For example, anxiety in teens manifest as excessive worry about school performance, social situations, or future events. Depression presents as persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, or changes in sleep patterns. At The Relationship Therapy Center, our therapists are specially trained to recognize these nuanced expressions of mental health challenges in adolescents. We understand the unique ways these issues can affect teens. So, we tailor our approach to address their specific needs.
Your Teen’s Brain is Not Fully Developed Yet
Did you know that your teen’s brain may not be fully developed until age 25? The teenage brain is still undergoing several changes that make it difficult for them to plan ahead. Similarily, it is difficult for them to consider risk and reward, control their emotions, mitigate their impulses, and problem solve. These changes may lead to risky or seemingly thoughtless behavior. On top of it all, dopamine which is the pleasure chemical in the brain is easily activated in a teen’s brain. Therefore, doing things like hanging out with their friends, or engaging in pleasurable activities, makes them feel “alive.”
Unfortunately, because their brains are not fully developed, they are more inclined to seek this happy and stimulating feeling. They do so without any regard for the consequences of their actions. This can make teens more prone to engage in risky or thrill-seeking behaviors or associate with peers who do.
Since our therapists understand this neurological perspective, it makes it easy to tailor their approaches to teen therapy. Therapists work with adolescents to develop strategies that account for their unique brain development stage. As a result, these strategies help them make better decisions and manage their impulses more effectively.
Our Approach to Teen Therapy in California
The Relationship Therapy Center in the Sacramento area offers high-quality compassionate teen therapy. Our therapists are easily able to handle teen issues. They will help your teen learn how to overcome the challenges they have in their life. Our therapists will do their best to make counseling a very positive and healing experience. We want your teen to enjoy working with us. Therefore, we will work hard at building a strong relationship with them so they feel comfortable sharing their struggles.
In counseling, your teen learns a variety of skills to help them cope with distress.
Their therapist helps them uncover the source of their pain. From there, we will help them work through it in a safe and compassionate environment. As we partner with your child, we help them overcome the challenges they face. Our promise is to treat your teen with the utmost respect and compassion. Being therapists, our first goal is to make them feel comfortable and heard. Although your teen may be nervous to talk to an adult about the challenges they have, we make it easy for them. Our therapists want your teen to feel respected, so we want them to have a say in the counseling process.
Evidence-Based Techniques for Teen Well-being
Some of the evidence-based techniques we employ include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help teens identify and change negative thought patterns
- Mindfulness practices that improve emotional regulation and stress management
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy that help teens set and achieve goals
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills for managing intense emotions and improving relationships
- Brainspotting for teens to overcome trauma
The types of treatments we use during counseling depend on the issues your teen has and the goals we both have for therapy. During your child’s intake appointment, you have a chance to meet with their therapist. At this consultation, you can express your concerns and identify some things you would like them to work on in counseling. In the first couple of sessions, your teen and their therapist will work to identify their strengths and areas for improvement. Together, they will also create a set of goals for therapy. Once your teen has established a relationship with their therapist, they will be encouraged to talk about and process the things that bother them. Then, they will learn and practice positive coping skills and mindfulness techniques.
Online Teen Therapy in California
We know that many teens may be busy. Between school, extracurricular activities, homework, and social obligations, there is very little time for therapy. That’s why our therapists at The Relationship Therapy Center offer online or virtual teen therapy for adolescents living in the state of California. There are convenient night and weekend appointments to accommodate their schedule. Many teens prefer the familiarity of meeting with a therapist online. Therefore, online therapy is very successful in meeting their mental health goals.
A Note About Confidentiality and Teen Therapy:
As a parent, we absolutely understand how hard it is to watch your teen struggle. Also, we know you want to be involved in their lives and help “fix” their problems. We understand your concern and your desire to be informed, but please trust our therapists with your teen’s care. Your child needs to feel comfortable opening up to their therapist without fear of punishment or judgment. Allowing your teen to share in a confidential place builds trust with their therapist. Then, they will open up and talk about the hard things. This allows progress to be made and goals to be met.
Your child’s therapist will give you a brief overview of their progress after therapy. But, they will not tell you the nature of the things they discuss privately. However there is an exception to this, if the therapist feels that your child, or their behavior, poses a danger to themself or others then they are legally obligated to disclose this information.
Likewise, if you ever feel like your child is a danger to themself or others, please let their therapist know immediately. If the threat of harm is imminent please take them to your local emergency room or call 9-1-1 or the national suicide hotline. Self-harm or suicidal thoughts should always be taken very seriously and be disclosed to a licensed mental health professional. Please, don’t wait to get help
The Benefits of Teen Therapy
Engaging in therapy can provide numerous benefits for teenagers, including:
- Improved emotional regulation and coping skills
- Enhanced self-esteem and self-awareness
- Better communication skills and stronger relationships
- Increased academic performance and motivation
- Reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns
Our therapists work collaboratively with teens to help them achieve these outcomes and more, tailoring the therapeutic approach to each individual’s unique needs and goals.
Commonly Asked Questions About Teen Therapy
How do I know if my child needs teen therapy or if we need family therapy?
This is a tough question! If your child is struggling with issues like anxiety, depression, substance abuse, PTSD, gender/sexuality identity issues, then they may prefer to meet with their therapist one-on-one. Likewise, if they are struggling to cope with school challenges or having issues their friends, then individual therapy is may the best bet for them. But, if your entire family is arguing. Or if there are issues in your family that you believe are affecting your child, like divorce or a second marriage, then family therapy may help. Also, it’s possible that during the course of individual teen therapy we will determine that having a few sessions all together as a family may help.
What information will you share with my child’s doctor or psychiatrist?
At your intake appointment you will be given forms to decide what information can be shared with your child’s physicians. If a doctor referred you to our care, or if your child is taking psychiatric medicine, then their doctor will likely appreciate an update on their care. In fact, by collaborating with your child’s doctor, your teen will likely get the best and most comprehensive care possible. We want to acknowledge your teen’s right to be informed of their care. So, we will likely discuss what we are sharing with your child’s doctor with both you and your teen.
How long does teen therapy typically last?
The duration of therapy varies depending on the individual needs of each teen. Some may benefit from short-term therapy lasting a few months, while others might need longer-term support. We regularly assess progress and adjust our approach as needed. Our goal is to provide the right amount of support to help your teen develop the skills and resilience they need to thrive.
Can teen therapy help with school-related stress and academic performance?
Absolutely. At The Relationship Therapy Center, we recognize that academic pressures can significantly impact a teen’s well-being. Our therapists help teens develop strategies to manage school stress, improve time management, and build resilience. Through therapy, teens can learn to tackle negative thought patterns about their abilities. Likewise, they develop better study habits, manage test anxiety, and improve communication with teachers and peers.
Your teen’s therapist also address underlying issues like anxiety or depression that may affect academic performance. Many teens experience improvements not only in their mental health but also in their grades and overall school experience. Our personalized approach ensures that each teen gets the specific support they need to thrive academically and emotionally.
Begin Teen Therapy in the Sacramento Area:
If you’ve been concerned about your child’s mental health and behavior, then getting help from a compassionate teen therapist may be the support you’ve been looking for. We will be an ally for your teen and help them navigate the challenges of adolescence. To begin counseling in Fair Oaks, CA, Roseville, CA or online, follow these steps
- Contact the Relationship Therapy Center and schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation to learn more about in-person or online teen therapy.
- Make an appointment for your teen to meet with one of our compassionate teen therapists.
- Get the support your teen needs to navigate adolescent challenges with confidence!
Other Services offered at The Relationship Therapy Center in California:
In addition to teen therapy, Our Sacramento area counseling clinics located in Roseville and Fair Oaks, CA are pleased to offer a variety of mental health services. Our couples services include: Counseling after infidelity, sex therapy, co-parent counseling, family therapy, divorce counseling, intensive couples retreats, and premarital counseling. Our individual therapy services include, therapy for children, teen therapy, depression treatment, and individual relationship counseling. Our therapists offer online counseling in California to treat a variety of mental health concerns. Please reach out to our Sacramento area therapy office to learn more about the many ways we can help you or your loved ones heal and grow.
Reach out to start your healing journey today