Therapy For Teenagers: 5 Reasons To Consider Getting Professional Support
Do you feel anxious or depressed on a regular basis? Are you having difficulties connecting with your friends or family? Does it seem like things aren’t getting any better?
It’s hard to be a teenager! You are in between childhood and adulthood, and it may seem like people have all sorts of expectations for what you should or shouldn’t do.
Are you considering reaching out for help? No matter your circumstances, therapy for teenagers can offer support, guidance, and encouragement as you move through these years.
But how do you know when it’s really time to consider professional support? Consider these reasons.
You’re Struggling With Your Mental Health
If you have (or think you have) a mental health condition, you’re not alone. Research shows that 20% of young people struggle with a disorder like depression or anxiety. Many times, the first symptoms emerge during adolescence.
You may dismiss these symptoms as “just a phase,” but true mental illness doesn’t exist in phases. If left untreated, things may progressively worsen.
Remember that your mental health is an essential part of your overall well-being. Therefore, if you’re struggling, it could interfere with your school performance, relationships, and self-esteem.
Sometimes, it’s possible to manage your symptoms with various coping skills. However, if self-help techniques aren’t cutting it- or if things are continually getting worse- you might want to consider therapy. Therapy will teach you more about your mental health, and it will also offer you solutions for managing your symptoms appropriately.
You’ve Experienced a Trauma
Trauma doesn’t discriminate against whom it impacts. Trauma can include any situation that jeopardizes your sense of safety. You may experience trauma either directly or indirectly- some examples include:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual assault or other unwanted sexual advances
- Threats, criticism, bullying, or other forms of emotional abuse
- Surviving a natural disaster
- Undergoing a serious medical emergency
Everyone copes with trauma differently, but ignoring or trying to suppress trauma rarely works. If you’re struggling with flashbacks, racing thoughts, panic attacks, or nightmares, it might be worth considering professional help. Therapy can help you process your trauma safely, and it can also teach you practical coping skills for managing distress.
You Feel Concerned About Your Future
It’s no secret that the teenage years can be incredibly stressful. You might be experiencing pressure at all angles, and you may be worried about issues related to college, work, finances, family, or intimate relationships.
It’s normal to feel anxious about what lies ahead. But if the anxiety is so overwhelming that you feel paralyzed, you may need additional support. Therapy can help you explore and even dismantle some of these intense fears. It can also teach you to focus more on the present moment, helping remove some of the unnerving pressure.
You’re Not Getting Along With Your Family
It’s normal to experience some tension with your parents during the teenage years. After all, this is a critical time for you to explore your independence and establish your unique identity. At times, you might clash with your family, which is a routine part of the growing process.
That said, it’s still important to feel supported and loved. If you and your family are no longer getting along, the tension can cause excess strain on your emotional well-being.
Therapy can help you process your feelings safely and productively. You can discuss your situation without judgment or criticism- your therapist is there to listen fully.
You Are Struggling With Low Self-Esteem
Unfortunately, some teenagers see themselves as flawed, broken, or unlovable. These thoughts can prevent you from feeling connected with others. Likewise, your low self-esteem may stunt you from taking appropriate risks, trying new things, or even enjoying your life.
You don’t have to be doomed to a lifetime of low self-esteem. It’s absolutely possible to build a loving, compassionate relationship with yourself. It’s also possible to celebrate your inherent worth and honor your strengths. This change takes work- and the work may be hard- but it’s one of the best gifts you can give yourself.
Final Thoughts on the Benefits of Therapy for Teenagers
These can be difficult years. You’re trying to discover who you are, but you’re also navigating friends, family, school, and extracurricular activities. While some struggling is normal, it shouldn’t feel so overbearing that you feel downright stuck.
Therapy for teenagers offers a supportive environment for you to learn more about yourself and your emotions. You will learn new ways to cope with your stress, and you will also learn how to be more compassionate and trusting with yourself.
Working on your mental health is a lifelong journey. There will be ups and downs along the way. However, by starting this journey now, you give yourself a positive headstart as you move into your adulthood.
At Willow Counseling, we are here to support you or the teenager in your life. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Willow Counseling, PLLC – Nashville, TN
Willow Counseling, PLLC exists to provide quality trauma-informed mental health counseling to the Nashville community, recognizing the interconnectedness of our emotional, spiritual and physical selves. We work together to alleviate symptoms, learn better coping skills, relieve burdens, remove the pain of trauma, and so much more. However, our greatest desire is for you to know what it means to feel purpose and joy again and to recognize the strength and worth you have to offer the world.
