From school issues to hormones causing mood swings, most teens will deal with some issues at this crucial point in their development so it’s important to understand these 7 Teen Issues Therapy can Help with.
But sometimes, a teen might experience distress to a level where it can be important and useful to seek professional help and support.
Therapy doesn’t need to be reserved for life-altering events or serious mental health issues.
In fact, speaking to a therapist can be very useful for helping teens make sense of what they’re feeling and going through, helping them prevent minor problems from turning into major issues later in life.
Here are some of the main reasons why teens are going to therapy.
Table of Contents
Depression:
Mood disorders can often start during the teen years.
If you are interested in helping teenagers who are suffering from depression, you might want to consider completing a school counseling degree online from Saint Bonaventure University since school counselors are often the first port of call for teens who are feeling unusually down and hopeless.
Early intervention from a therapist or other mental health professional can often make all the difference to a teen who is showing the signs and symptoms of depression.
Anxiety:
While it is normal for teens to worry sometimes, some teenagers experience more intense levels of anxiety.
An anxiety disorder such as general anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder can have an impact on many different areas of a teenager’s life such as school and friendships.
Speaking to a therapist gives the teen a safe space to express their feelings and learn how they can get back in control of those anxious thoughts and feelings using techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Substance Abuse:
Unfortunately, alcohol and drugs can sometimes be tempting for teens and turn into serious issues for them.
A good substance abuse counselor can help a teen through this and be the difference between nipping it in the bud as early as possible or it turning into a lifelong problem.
A trained therapist can assess the teen’s substance use problems and determine the most appropriate course of treatment for them.
Behavioral Issues:
Repeat curfew violations, being suspended from school, and displaying aggressive or withdrawn behavior can all be signs of more serious problems that a teen is experiencing.
Speaking to a therapist when these signs begin to appear in a teen’s life can make it easier to uncover more serious underlying mental health problems, social disorders, or skill deficits that might be impacting your teen’s behavior.
Stress:
Being a teenager is often a very stressful time in somebody’s life.
Teens often have a lot to feel stressed out about, whether it’s preparing for exams, wondering what they should do for a career after graduating high school, or concerns around friendships, self-image, and more, and stress can be seriously mentally taxing for a teen.
Going to therapy can be an ideal option for a stressed teen to help them learn the skills that they need to get back in control and manage stress successfully – something that they will be able to use and benefit from throughout their adult lives.
Poor Self-Esteem:
Low self-esteem in teens is becoming an increasingly bigger problem these days, mainly due to the prevalence of social media and unrealistic body and beauty standards that are being touted by models and influencers.
Teens might compare themselves to airbrushed images and this can have a negative impact on their self-esteem during this crucial developmental stage.
Other issues, such as bullying at school, can also seriously impact a teen’s self-esteem.
Speaking to a therapist can help teenagers reframe the way that they see themselves and boost their self-esteem as a result.
Trauma:
A traumatic event can have a life-long impact on a teenager, creating a ripple effect that will follow them throughout adulthood if left unaddressed.
Instances of trauma, such as being involved in an accident, losing a loved one, being abused or bullied can seriously impact a teen’s brain during this key development stage.
Experts agree that teens and children who have the right type of support after experiencing a traumatic event are often much more likely to recover and go on to live healthy and fulfilling lives as adults compared to those who do not.
After experiencing any type of traumatic event, early intervention by a professional and trained therapist or counselor can make all the difference.
Therapy isn’t just for adults – there are plenty of reasons why speaking to a therapist can also be hugely beneficial for teenagers who are experiencing problems throughout this important stage of life.
