Teen Therapy & Mental Health: Can Teen Therapy With Licensed Therapists Help Teens?

Medically reviewed by April Justice, LICSW and Laura Angers Maddox, NCC, LPC
Updated March 31st, 2025 by BetterHelp Editorial Team

Adolescence can be a challenging life stage. A young adult can deal with physical changes from puberty, new social circles, changing schools, and a higher expectation of responsibility than previously awarded. Many report feeling challenged mentally and emotionally as they become young adults and to help with navigating this, some teens seek therapy. There are different stages of adolescence, and understanding the adolescent age range can help one grasp the experiences of teens.

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Stages of adolescence

The adolescent age range is broken down into three phases, each having different challenges and goals for teens. According to a 2021 statistical report, nearly 14% of teens aged 12-17 in the United States experienced a major depressive episode within one year of the report, and 40% of adolescents with depression reached out for support from a professional.

Therapy for teens facing depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges

If your child is struggling with mental health challenges during the teenage years that are beginning to affect their life negatively, you may be wondering how you can best help them. Many parents worry about the problems their children face, such as excessive screen time, skipping school, or other destructive behaviors. In such situations, seeking therapy from a treatment provider can help develop healthy coping skills for teens, which can prove to be extremely important for the teens' emotional well-being. Through working with a trained therapist or other mental health professionals, your child can learn to identify and manage their difficult feelings and intense emotions and carry these new coping skills with them into adulthood.

Should you enroll your teen? 

It's important to recognize that different mental health approaches may affect individuals differently. As such, it may be up to you and your family whether therapy could be effective, but how do I know if my teenager needs counseling? According to recent research, teen therapy can provide a leg of support for adolescents facing emotional reactions and stress during their teenage years. This is especially true when mental health therapy for young adults is combined with an effective support network of trusted adults and healthy coping mechanisms.

The warning signs your teen should go to therapy can be personal and vary from individual to individual. You might consider teenage counseling if your child requires additional support that cannot be offered by friends, family members, a school therapist, or other existing support options. If there is a history of childhood trauma, therapy is typically also helpful. A more structured treatment plan for mental health conditions affecting daily life may be found through therapy. However, therapy can benefit anyone; an adolescent without a mental health condition may also benefit from professional advice as they navigate family conflicts, overall mental well-being, and life in general.

Potential benefits of therapy

Studies have found that offering mental health intervention programs like therapy to young adults can help dissuade disruptive behavior, lessen affective symptoms of mood disorders like depression and anxiety, offer a constructive social skill-building environment, and allow for a stronger sense of personal well-being. These forms of mental health support via therapists can help teens have a safe place to open up about issues, including mental health problems, medication management, health, stress, and home life with a licensed therapist.

Discussing therapy with your teen

Discuss options with your child to see whether they believe it would be appropriate to begin therapy. For struggling adolescents, mental health therapy may be the best option to help them cope with their emotions in a healthy way. This can be a difficult conversation to have, but it is an important one that will help your teen in the long run; therapy can also be a good treatment for difficult symptoms your teen may be facing, like self-harm or panic attacks. You may also discuss the idea with your child’s primary care physician; they're professionals and good for helping your teen with anxiety. Some adolescents might be nervous about speaking to a licensed therapist about depression or anxiety. It is often helpful to explain the therapy process and help them understand how it can help. Giving your child an opportunity to understand the process may help them create a sense of security surrounding the process before their first session.

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Options for teens

There are many types of therapy available for teens experiencing mental health challenges, including individual and group therapies. 

Individual therapy for depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems

Individual therapy involves a one-on-one meeting with a mental health professional to address concerns and build strategies for managing mental health. It can take place either in a therapist’s office or online.Individual services can address mental health problems and conditions, like eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and other mental illnesses. Sessions usually take place once per week.

These therapies may benefit those struggling with feeling insecure, embarrassed, or ashamed of their concerns. The environment of individual therapy may help adolescents feel more comfortable and capable of addressing their mental health problems. 

Some forms of individual teen therapy can include:

  • Cognitive Behavior (CBT) is a psychotherapeutic approach that targets behavioral problems for teens by reorganizing patterns of thinking to be more constructive. CBT is also helpful for addressing teen alcohol use disorders or other substance use concerns.
  • Dialectical Behavior (DBT) is a type of teen counseling aims to help individuals achieve a better understanding of themselves and their emotions. DBT emphasizes personal responsibility and conflict resolution.
  • Acceptance And Commitment (ACT) involves learning to accept your emotional state and addressing it in a healthy, positive way in the future.

To find a therapist that offers individual therapy, search for “teen therapy in my area” or look through online directories.

Teen therapy in a group

Talking directly with their peers and engaging in positive self-talk can be the most effective way for some teens to address their concerns. Group sessions, in particular, can be extremely beneficial for young adults as it can make them feel less isolated and more supported as they address their mental health problems with other teens experiencing the same struggles. Through talking with their peers, they identify how to interact constructively with others and develop valuable communication skills, in addition to working through mental health concerns with licensed mental health professionals. Group members often share coping tools and strategies that might help your child make meaningful progress on their mental health journey.

Group sessions may be held within small groups of individuals guided by a professional through various exercises and discussions. These sessions for teenagers often focus on using group dynamics to explore and resolve various mental health concerns.

Some forms of group counseling can include:

  • Family Therapy -This can be a transformative approach for the whole family, as each session aims to build a more supportive and productive family dynamic.
  • Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) - This focuses specifically on offering real-time coaching for parents and their children to establish positive interaction patterns. Parents taught basic behavioral strategies and techniques to influence their child’s behavior positively.
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) - This may sometimes include two separate session environments, group and individual, to help build social skills and a sense of responsibility for one’s actions.
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Offer your teen the support they need

Online therapy and therapists for teens

I can't find teen counseling near me– is there any other option? If you believe your child would benefit from mental health resources, there are many forms you can try. Online therapy can also be beneficial for adolescents or families struggling with scheduling or finding time to commute to in-person visits. With internet-based treatment, you can stay connected to a therapist through video, phone, or live chat sessions. Additionally, you can message your therapist anytime, responding to challenges as they happen rather than delaying them until the next session. 

Online therapy is on the rise in the modern world, and peer-reviewed studies suggest that online teen counseling can be as effective as in-person counterparts in treating various mental health conditions, including mood disorders like anxiety and depression, which are common among young adults. It has been proven particularly effective for teens due to their familiarity with online platforms in general.

If your child is open to trying online therapy, they can sign up through an online platform like TeenCounseling with parental consent. In parenting teenagers, you would also benefit from therapy; platforms like BetterHelp offer appointments for adults and get to a growing database of licensed therapists. With affordable rates, you don’t have to worry about substantial fees or fight for insurance coverage.

Takeaway

Adolescence can be a difficult period of life for many individuals. With a rapid change in physical, mental, emotional, and societal norms, teens may feel overwhelmed or challenged. If you feel your child could use professional support, seeking a therapist matched to their needs might be valuable. If you suspect your child may be experiencing a mental illness, early diagnosis via working with a therapist can be a way to minimize the impact of the illness on your child’s life. Don't hesitate to reach out and learn more about how therapy can help your child cope with life's challenges and grow into a more confident, independent adult.

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