BeWELL Psychotherapy in NYC is here to help you read signs your teen needs counseling. We are also here to outline the next steps to take if you feel as though your teen’s behavior aligns with the seven signs listed below.
#1. You’re Tired of Seeing Your Teen Struggle with Depression, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, ADHD, or any other Common Mental Health Disorders
Life can be hard for anyone, but teens endure the pressures of school, friends, work, and more. During teenage years, there is a unique combination of genetics, environment, and biology at play (healthychildren.org). These aspects of life can be much more challenging when teens are navigating mental health challenges.
The good news is the teenage years are an ideal time to successfully address many challenges. Early intervention is key, as therapists can connect the symptoms and experiences your teen is having with recommendations and exercises to ensure they are supported in a way that makes the most sense for them.
#2. Your Teen Seems Isolated
Challenges such as depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and ADHD can make your teen feel alone and afraid to confide in friends or family. Regardless of the support you are able to provide or the environment you work to create, teens can have an especially hard time opening up.
It can be helpful for them to know that mental illness in young people is common. According to TeenMentalHealth.org, 1 in 5 young people suffer from a mental illness. The scale could feel minor (such as navigating social pressures) or major (such as crippling anxiety). Either way, therapy can make a huge difference in your teenager’s overall happiness.
#3. Your Teen is Experiencing Grief
We don’t have to tell you this one — teens grieve deeply. Many things can trigger grief, including the loss of a loved family member or a close friend, a broken relationship, or fall-out from social pressures. We have therapists that specialize in working with teens to help them sort out your feelings, make sense of the loss, and cope with grief.
#4. Your Teen is Stressed
Teenagers manage a lot of stress — now more so than ever before. Your teen may be stressed because of pressure to perform well in school or on the sports field, they may be worried about what happens after high school, or otherwise preoccupied with social situations (shifting friend groups, fitting in, the recipient of bullying, etc). Therapy can help your teen learn life-lasting skills to manage this stress successfully.
#5. Your Teen has Experienced a Major Life Event
We have all undergone some points of transition in our lives. Sometimes we have the defenses to tolerate these transitions when we are faced with them, but other times our defenses are not equipped. When our natural defenses are not adequate to handle these transitions, we may find we fill in the gaps with our own coping mechanisms.
Getting help and taking control is Be.WELL.’s priority when it comes to reducing anxiety during major life transitions; this allows your teen to live their best life.
#6. Your Teen’s Grades are Dropping
If you notice that your teen has lower grades one semester compared to their previous academic history, this might be a sign of something bigger. While a drop in one grade could be due to a particularly challenging course, if you notice a more meaningful shift — this could be the result of your teen feeling left out at school, having friendship issues, or experiencing a sense of confusion (summitcounseling.org). Be.WELL. therapists will work for and with your teen to improve the situation.
#7. Your Teen is Engaging in Risky Behavior
Teen risky behaviors may include:
- Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence
- Sexual behaviors
- Alcohol and other drug use
- Tobacco use
- Dangerous driving
If you notice your teen acting out or engaging in risky behaviors, know that therapy can help.
These Resonate with me, but how will Therapy Help My Teen?
Therapy can help your teen reflect on their own experiences, get in touch with their feelings, and work toward open communication. Be.WELL. therapists will work for and with your teen to improve the situation. Therapy gives teenagers a place where their feelings are accepted. Therapists help teens identify and acclimate to better handle their feelings so that they may live the fullest expression of their life. We understand you’re worried about your teenager’s mental health and maybe frustrated at the same time. Know that our therapists are here to support both you and your teen.
What Can a Teen Expect Trying Therapy in NYC?
Your teen can expect an open and accepting environment where they are able to say anything without fear of trouble. Teen therapy has the same boundaries as adult therapy – parents and guardians are kept updated with the teen’s agreement and awareness. This builds the important element of trust, which is foundational – it allows your teen to have the autonomy necessary to make shifts and ultimately find the best words to communicate their needs and feelings.
What can teens in you look forward to? Successful Be.WELL. teens start to get the things in their life that they want. With progress, you’ll start to feel more connected to the world. Therapy provides you with a place where you can talk about anything without judgment.
How do I Know When my Teen is Making Progress with Therapy? What are the Benefits?
Teens realize they are making progress when the relationships with parents, friends and school become more positive. Additionally, when the negative noise in their heads softens and a new more positive sound comes through – we’re finding success. Teens at Be.WELL. often find that balancing all that is on their plate becomes easier to juggle with the tools and techniques learned in therapy.
Our Be.WELL. therapists are well learned in a variety of fields and are here to help you become your best self. Whether you are struggling with issues related to Anxiety, Depression, Sexual Orientation, Race and Identity, school, or relationships, Be.WELL. therapists welcome you with an open ear.
