Adolescent Therapy

• puberty
• friend group shifts
• bullying
• school and/or family stress
• stress related to global concerns, like COVID-19 or climate change
• anxiety
• depression
• concerns related to self-esteem or personal identity
• eating disorders
• anger
• self-harm & suicidal ideation
• behavior concerns

These issues represent just a handful of the possible obstacles standing in the way of good emotional and mental health. In short, adolescence can be a rough time — something parents might remember from their own youth.

Screens, Teens & Mental Health

Adolescents today navigate a digital landscape where social media is deeply integrated into their social, emotional, and psychological development. While teens can use cell phones and social media to connect and create friendships with others, they also confront cyberbullying, trolls, toxic comparisons, sleep deprivation, privacy concerns and less frequent face-to-face interactions and socio-emotional functioning. 

While social media has become an integral part of modern teenage life, it's crucial to recognize its potential impact on mental health. Several factors contribute to the negative impact of social media on teen mental health like:

• Focusing on likes/ Validation seeking: The constant pursuit of likes, comments, and followers can create a cycle of seeking external validation, potentially damaging self-esteem. The need to gain “likes” on social media can cause teens to make choices they would otherwise not make, including altering their appearance, engaging in negative behaviors, and accepting risky social media challenges.
• Cyberbullying: The anonymity and distance provided by online platforms can facilitate hurtful behavior, leading to increased feelings of depression and anxiety.
• Making comparisons/ and FOMO: Social media exposes teens to idealized versions of others' lives, leading to unrealistic comparisons and a fear of missing out (FOMO). Though many teens know that their peers share only their highlight reels on social media, it’s very difficult to avoid making comparisons. Everything from physical appearance to life circumstances to perceived successes and failures are under a microscope on social media.
• Having too many fake friends: Even with privacy settings in place, teens can collect thousands of friends through friends of friends on social media. The more people on the friend list, the more people have access to screenshot photos, Snaps, and updates and use them for other purposes. There is no privacy on social media.
• Less face time:  Excessive online socializing can lead to fewer opportunities for in-person interactions, which are essential for developing social skills and emotional resilience.
• Sleep disruption: Late-night social media use can interfere with sleep patterns.

The key to helping teens learn to balance social media with real life friendships is to keep the lines of communication open and keep talking. Therapists can work with adolescents and their families to reduce the hazards of social media and smartphone usage by using open, nonjudgmental, and developmentally appropriate tactics, including education and practical problem-solving.

Finding a qualified, experienced therapist who is a good fit for the teen’s personality and needs is essential for a successful therapeutic relationship.

Various evidence-based therapeutic approaches are commonly used in teen psychotherapy, tailored to the individual's specific needs. Treatment techniques may include the following depending on the therapist:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Mindfulness-based approaches
• Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
• Art & Drawing Therapy
• Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT)
• Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
• Supportive Therapy
• Client Centered Therapy
• Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Family therapy
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)

If you notice signs of depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns in your teen, don't hesitate to seek professional help.