How Do I Find A Therapist For Teens Near Me? Mental Health Guidance For Teens
Adolescence and young adulthood can be tumultuous developmental stages for young people. Changes in the body can impact mood regulation and cognitive functioning. Physical growth during this time is rapid, potentially resulting in awkwardness as the teen adjusts to these changes. Managing evolving notions of self and how they fit in socially can contribute to many of the mental and emotional challenges people in this stage of development face.
Teens can often find guidance and reassurance with the support of loved ones to cope with these dramatic changes. However, some teens and their families may find the challenges overwhelming. In such cases, reaching out to a therapist can make a significant difference in adolescent wellness. Below, learn more about the mental health challenges faced by adolescents and find guidance for parents, caregivers, and teens in selecting the right therapist.
Mental health challenges faced by teens
Stress, mood swings, and low self-esteem are all common mental health challenges that teens face. For some, these challenges can come and go, eventually easing as they transform into adults. Others have a more challenging time with the experience, and without healthy coping strategies, such mental health challenges can evolve into a more serious issue. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in seven people aged 10 to 19 have a mental disorder. Unaddressed conditions can persist into adulthood and impair one’s ability to function in everyday life, sustain healthy relationships, and achieve better overall well-being.
Anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent of the more severe mental health conditions in kids and teens, specifically, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Adolescents with anxiety disorders might experience overwhelming worry and fear without a specific cause, irritability, sleep difficulties, and changes in eating behaviors. People with social anxiety disorder may experience an intense fear of embarrassment or humiliation in front of others, causing them to withdraw from social situations. Some people may have physical symptoms such as persistent digestive problems, headaches, and muscle aches.
Depression
Depression is another common disorder faced by teens. Symptoms such as low mood, social withdrawal, and changes in eating and sleeping patterns can cause severe disruptions in an individual's ability to function productively. Suicidal ideation is also sometimes a symptom of depression. As of 2021, suicide is the third leading cause of death among those aged 15 to 29 globally.
Eating disorders
Some teens and young adults experience abnormal preoccupation with food, abnormal eating behaviors, and intense worry about body weight and appearance. These symptoms are occasionally indicative of eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Eating disorders commonly co-occur with conditions like depression and anxiety. When untreated, eating disorders can be dangerous, leading to premature death due to suicide or medical complications. Eating disorders have a higher mortality rate than any other mental condition.
Behavioral disorders
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are examples of behavioral disorders sometimes experienced by adolescents. Risky behaviors, aggressivity, extreme defiance, and partaking in illegal activities may be associated with such conditions. These behaviors can create significant problems at school or home, social issues, and, in some cases, trouble with law enforcement.
Substance use disorders
Risky behaviors are common in teens, but experimenting with drugs and alcohol can devolve into substance use disorder, persisting into adulthood when unaddressed. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports alcohol and cannabis misuse as the most common types among American youth. Substance use disorders often co-occur with other mental health issues like depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and behavioral disorders.
What to look for in a mental health professional
You may consider many variables when seeking a therapist, regardless of age. However, teens face a unique set of challenges associated with the developmental stages of adolescence. These challenges often require specialized care from a professional with the skills and credentials to treat teens and adolescents.
Licensing and credentials for teen counseling services
In the US, therapists treating adolescents must have a minimum of a master's degree focusing on child and adolescent development. For example, they may get a degree in clinical counseling focusing on child and adolescent development, child and adolescent psychology, school psychology, marriage and family therapy, clinical mental health counseling, or social work. Depending on their field of focus and post-graduate clinical experience, the therapist may earn licensure as a marriage and family therapist (LMFT), clinical professional counselor (LCPC), mental health counselor (LMHC), or clinical social worker (LCSW). Therapists can also get a doctorate in psychology as a PsyD or PhD.
Specialization in teen therapy methods
Therapists often tailor their therapeutic approach to fit the needs of their clients. Common types of therapy used to treat adolescents include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), family-based therapies, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and other mindfulness-based approaches. Some practitioners use art therapy to complement conventional psychotherapy, allowing teens to express their thoughts and their emotions creatively.
Experience with specific issues that commonly affect teens
When looking for a therapist, ask about their experiences treating teen mental health specifically. Do they have a solid understanding of typical adolescent development and challenges? Examples include identity formation, challenges with peer pressure, body image issues, and family dynamics. Look for counselors with experience addressing typical teen milestones and life transitions. If the teen has behavioral issues, inquire about the professional’s experience working with issues like aggression, defiance, conduct problems, or risky behaviors like substance use or unprotected sex.
Comfort and rapport with the therapist
Adolescent psychologists can build a solid rapport with their clients to foster trust and cooperation. As with nonjudgment and unconditional support, empathy is often considered essential to a good therapeutic relationship. In addition, secretiveness is usually a significant concern for teens. For this reason, teens may benefit from knowing their therapist won't share information with the parent against the teen's wishes per ethical guidelines outlined by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP).
Cultural competency and inclusivity in mental health treatment
Cultural competency and inclusivity in the therapeutic setting can mean actively understanding and respecting the client’s background and beliefs. Adolescent psychologists must tailor their treatments to fit their client’s unique experiences, ensuring they are unconditionally welcomed. Teen therapists might consider factors like ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, and family dynamics to provide effective and sensitive care.
Practical considerations for teen counseling
When selecting a therapist, consider their availability. Some therapists may not be accepting new clients at all, or they might have a waiting list. You may consider the location of their place of practice, hours of operation, and rescheduling or cancellation policies. In addition, you can ask how long the sessions might be and how many sessions they recommend per month or week. Consider whether the provider offers virtual sessions, works exclusively in person, or combines both. Additionally, you may enquire about their availability should your teen need mental health support between sessions.
Ask about the therapist's fees, whether they accept your insurance, and how billing is handled. If finances are a barrier, do they have financial assistance or sliding-scale options? Also, ask about their practices and how they protect their clients’ information. Schedule a consultation to discuss your concerns, ask questions, and assess your comfort level with the therapist's communication style and personality.
Where to find a therapist for teens
Finding a therapist can take some online searching and phone calls, but there are several outlets for finding a good therapist specializing in adolescent treatment. For example, your teen's primary care physician may be able to refer you to a therapist or group therapy in your area. If you have insurance coverage, ask them for a list of therapists near you.
You can also check with your teen's school counselor or a teacher. They might be able to provide support or connect you with someone who can help. Recommendations from friends, family, or support groups may also be helpful. Additionally, many cities have local community mental health centers and nonprofits that can assist you with finding a therapist specializing in adolescent care.
The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), Mental Health America (MHA), and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM) all offer resources for finding a therapist near you, as well as helplines and psychoeducational materials for teens and their parents to learn about common mental health problems affecting adolescents. Many online therapy platforms offer access to many mental health professionals specializing in adolescent psychology. For example, platforms like TeenCounseling serve teen clients aged 13 to 19.
Attending an initial consultation for counseling services
Whether your teen is going to counseling on their own or you’re engaging in the process as a family, the therapist may ask some initial questions to get to know and build rapport with your teen. For example, they might ask about their interests, hobbies, and school. In addition, they might want to know about the issues that brought them to therapy, how they impact daily life, and what they hope to achieve through treatment.
The therapist may ask questions about family life and your teen's relationships with parents and siblings to get a complete picture of their situation. They may explain the limits of secrecy and when information must be shared with an adult. Finally, the therapist may encourage your teen to talk about their thoughts and feelings to find out where they are emotionally and understand how they express themselves. The therapist can set goals with your teen according to what they want to accomplish in therapy and work towards achieving them in subsequent sessions.
Assessing the fit: How to know if a therapist is the right match
During the initial consultation, look for signs that your teen is comfortable and respected by the therapist. The therapist should be genuinely interested in what your teen says, actively listening and paying attention to their emotions and nonverbal behaviors. Look for a provider who acknowledges and validates your teen's emotions and experiences and involves them in setting goals and making decisions about their therapy. Additionally, be sure the therapist openly communicates with you and your teen.
Below are questions you and your teen might ask the therapist to determine if they'd be a good fit:
- How does therapy work?
- What is your experience working with teenagers?
- What are the different ways we can work together?
- What should I expect from each session?
- What happens if I have a crisis outside of sessions?
- How long do you think therapy will take?
Why young people might resist trying teen therapy
Teens might be hesitant to try therapy for many of the same reasons that adults are. They might fear the stigma associated with mental health, thinking they might be labeled as "crazy" or "weak" by peers and family if they admit to needing help. Some may not believe their problems are serious enough to warrant professional intervention or that they can "fix" themselves alone. Teens might worry about their personal information being shared with others, or they may be uncomfortable opening up to a stranger about their thoughts and feelings, particularly if they've had a negative experience with therapy. This fear might make them reluctant to trust a therapist, or they may assume therapy won't work for them.
Overcoming barriers to seeking therapy
If your teen insists they won't go to therapy, forcing the issue may do more harm than good. Give your teen space and consider seeking guidance from their school counselor or attending counseling independently. A therapist can coach you in approaching the subject and teach you healthy coping skills to handle your own stress. Also, once you go, your teenager might feel more motivated to attend, too.
Although it may not be appropriate in all cases, young people often feel more comfortable talking to a therapist virtually than in in-person therapy sessions. Online therapy offers tailored guidance, as teens can attend sessions from the comfort of home and provides greater access to a wide variety of therapists specializing in adolescent treatment. If they are uncomfortable with their therapist, online platforms like TeenCounseling, a partner of BetterHelp (for adults), allow teens to switch counselors and find the right fit easily. Research also suggests that this may be one of several reasons why online therapy can be so effective for teens, with one 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis reporting “promising results regarding the effectiveness of online interventions, especially for symptoms of anxiety and depression and for training of social functioning.”
Takeaway
Finding the right therapist might take time and patience, but a good fit can be integral to thriving in treatment. If you are a teenager looking for help or a parent trying to get your teen to go to therapy, research and talk openly about your options. Teenagers don't have to struggle with mental health challenges alone; reach out to a mental health professional and start on the path to wellness.
How do you help a teenager with mental health challenges?
Parents and family members may be able to help a teenager experiencing mental health concerns by offering to take them to a teen counselor. A teen counselor may be able to help with various mental health symptoms, such as low mood, thoughts about self-harm, and low self-esteem. Parents may also be able to help teens with mental health challenges by openly discussing mental health in the home. The teenage years can be challenging, especially for those who experience anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions. By openly discussing mental health, parents may be able to get their teens to open up when they need help.
How much is therapy for a 14-year-old?
Therapy prices can vary depending on multiple factors. Parents might find that in-person counseling sessions cost more than online counseling sessions. With Teen Counseling, teen therapy services tend to cost $60 to $90 per week, billed monthly. Cost is based on factors such as your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply.
How do I find the right therapist for my child?
Parents can sometimes find a therapist in their local community through schools or directories of local therapists. Those who live in an area with few therapists can also find a therapist through an online therapy platform. Online therapy platforms like Teen Counseling typically have thousands of online therapists, which may make it easy to find a therapist with experience treating specific conditions, such as anxiety or major depression.
How do you know when to put your child in therapy?
The decision to seek professional help can be complex for many parents. A child doesn’t have to have a mental health diagnosis to benefit from therapy. Therapists tend to help with a variety of concerns, from school-related stress to serious mental disorders. Seeking therapy for your child may help them develop self-awareness and life skills that serve them into adulthood. Parents of adolescents who don’t feel comfortable with traditional in-office therapy might offer online therapy as an alternative. Adolescents may feel more comfortable speaking with a therapist from home.
What is the difference between a child therapist and a child counselor?
The terms therapist and counselor are often used interchangeably. Both therapists and counselors tend to treat a variety of mental health disorders, including teen depression and anxiety. Child therapists and counselors may also help with school stress and behavioral challenges.
What type of therapy is best for children?
The right type of therapy for children may depend on what mental health disorder they are experiencing. For some mental health conditions, a therapist might use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help a child identify and replace inaccurate or negative thoughts.
What is the best therapy for children with anxiety?
Many therapists tend to use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for children with anxiety. CBT may help children replace negative thoughts and calm their body’s reactions to anxiety. A therapist may also help children and teens learn healthy coping mechanisms for stress management.
(H3) Do you need a referral to see a child psychologist?
You typically don’t need a referral to see a child psychologist. However, you may need a referral to see a child psychiatrist, depending on insurance coverage. A psychiatrist can often help with treating depression by prescribing medication, often in conjunction with therapy.(H3) How do I know if my child needs a therapist or psychologist?
Both a therapist and a psychologist can typically help children with various mental health conditions. A psychologist typically has a doctorate and may help with more serious or complex cases. Both therapists and psychologists may also be able to offer parenting strategies that help provide a safe and supportive environment.
What is the most effective treatment for traumatized adolescents and children?
According to the National Center for PTSD, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is typically used for children with trauma. Therapists may use a specific type of CBT called trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT).
- Previous Article
- Next Article