Are you struggling to communicate with your teen? Is your child displaying behaviours that concern you? Are you worried about their mood? Do you wish they were more motivated? Are they stressed all the time? Teenagers are on their journey towards independence; with this independence you might notice that they are less communicative, argumentative, and less inclined to listen to parental wisdom. This is normal for this stage of their lives; however, if you are noticing big changes in their behaviour or risky behaviour, isolating themselves, refusing to participate in activities they once enjoyed, or changed in mood, therapy might be the right choice for them. Some teenagers appear to be doing well and approach their parents to request therapy; this is common as the pressures of today's world can weigh heavily on them, and they may not want to burden others with their problems, therefore they hide their feelings from their loved ones. Therapy for teens focuses on the unique issues they are faced with, and provides them with a safe and supportive environment where they can express their thoughts and feelings, learn coping strategies, improve self-esteem and relationships, and develop healthy ways to manage stress.
How Does Teen Therapy Work: During a typical therapy session, the therapist and the teenager engage in one-on-one conversations in a safe and confidential setting. The teen is encouraged to express themselves openly while the therapist provides a supportive and empathetic environment. Therapy sessions may include talking, learning and practicing coping skills, creative expression, games, role-playing, mindfulness, grounding exercises, and they may be sent home with tasks to practice regularly. The goal is to facilitate growth and self-awareness. Parents may also be invited into the therapy process to enhance communication, provide support, improve family dynamics, and increase awareness between family members. Family sessions can be invaluable in resolving conflict and improving relationships. There are a number of steps that the therapist focuses on when providing therapy for a teen. The steps include:
Establishing rapport - The first step in teen therapy is building a strong and trusting relationship between the therapist and the teen. This rapport helps the teen feel comfortable to share their thoughts and emotions.
Gathering background information - The therapist gains a strong understanding of the teens experiences, concerns, symptoms and goals. This helps in creating a personalized plan to support the teen in achieving their goal.
Setting goal - together with the teen, the therapist creates achievable goal(s) that they set out to achieve through therapy. These goals serve as a guiding light through the therapeutic process.
Therapeutic technique - Therapists use a variety of techniques including; Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Mindfulness practices, Emotional Freedom Techniques - Tapping, Emotion Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Trauma Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy.
Exploration and Insight - Through guided discussions and reflections, teens are encouraged to explore their thoughts, feelings and behaviours to gain insight into their motivation and patterns.
Skill Building -Therapy helps teens develop coping skills, problem-solving strategies, emotional regulation techniques and healthy communication skills to navigate life's challenges more effectively.
How Long Does Teen Therapy Last: A therapy session lasts 50 minutes. The duration of the therapy depends on a number of factors; the teens needs, readiness to make change, and the support they have outside of therapy sessions. Some teens may benefit from short term therapy of a couple months, where as others might see improvements after 6 months or so. The frequency of sessions varies as well, where some people attend weekly, some bi-weekly, others monthly and some attend periodically as needed. Therapists work collaboratively with teens and their parents to determine the most suitable plan and adjust the plan as needed.
Therapy is a valuable resource for adolescents grappling with mental health issues, behavioural challenges, and life transitions. By offering a unbiased and supportive space for teens to explore their thoughts and emotions, therapy equips them with the tools they need to navigate adolescence successfully. If you have a teenager struggling with stress and the pressures of today's world, consider reaching out to us to see how we can help. Call (905) 464-1029, click on the book now button to schedule a free 20 minute video consultation or fill out the contact form below.