Does My Teen Need Therapy?

Teen years can be difficult for the teenager as well as the family. With so many changes, pressures, and development, it can feel like they are a different person at times. While it can be helpful to try and mitigate these issues independently, there is only so much a parent can do when it comes to the mental health of a child, regardless of their age. There are also moments when parents can feel helpless as the increase of autonomy may make the relationship feel strained or less approachable. It can be helpful to remember that your child may not be trying to shut you out, but might not have developed the language that they need to express how they feel. 

We also feel as though it is important to highlight that therapy for teenagers doesn’t have to be saved until things get worse. Therapy can also be a space that is utilized in a preventative way in order to manage dysregulation prior to it becoming a bigger stressor in their life. We wanted to compile a list of signs/signals that it may be time for a teen to see a therapist for support. 

1. Behavioral Changes

These might be as visible as acting out and being rebellious, but they might also be subtle. Changes in appetite and hunger can often be a symptom of mental health dysregulation. It may also be a sign of struggles with eating or body image. 

Sleep disturbances may be common for a growing teen, but they can also be an indicator of insomnia, anxiety, or depression. Withdrawing from social circles can be benign but, they can also be a symptom of embarrassment, social anxiety, or shame. 

While there is rhetoric about a teen’s basic needs changing, it can be helpful to try and not be assumptive about why the change is happening. We always encourage being curious over assuming that we know. 

2. Mood Changes

While there are expectations for a teen’s mood to change, it can be helpful to take stock in how they are changing. Many teens are presented with new challenges and pressures that might also be adding to their dysregulation. More agitation and irritation may be a sign of stress, but they can also be a symptom of anxiety. Increased intensity of sadness can be common, but it may also be a sign of depression or grief. Worrying may be the introduction of anxiety, but it can also turn into chronic worry that may be a symptom of obsessive compulsive disorder. 

While it is helpful to empathize with these experiences and speak to our own, sometimes parents have blind spots where they can assume that their teen is going through a growing pain, when in reality they may benefit from clinical assessment/support. 

3. Academic and Extracurricular Difficulties

One of the larger indicators that a teen is struggling with their mental health is a change within their engagement in extracurricular activities, or a sudden shift in academic achievement. While we can guess that the social aspect of school may be prioritized, there are several other factors that may be contributing to a teens shift with engagement. 

These could be signs of bullying, anxiety, or other social pressures. This can also be a sign of a teen struggling with learning or engaging with school without accommodations for their learning ability. 

While there are other signs of a teen needing therapy for support, taking stock in behaviors, mood, and academics are a good place to start. Most importantly, it is imperative to try and be nonjudgement and refrain from assumptions. It can be helpful to remember that your teen may not have the language they need to express their feelings so patience is also key. 

The information on this website is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical or psychological condition and is not a substitute for therapy. If you are experiencing an emergency please call/text 988 or go to your nearest emergency room.