Teen Counseling: 5 Reasons for Teens to Go to Therapy
You’ve heard the stereotypes for years about “moody teenagers,” but you don’t think about it much until you experience it yourself.
The fact is that the teenage years are a wild time for your emotional health. Life changes and hormones combine to create a perfect storm.
No matter what you’re dealing with, you don’t have to face it alone. You can turn to teen counseling instead. If you’re not sure how it can help, here are just a few examples.
Reasons Teenagers Go to Teen Counseling
Not sure whether counseling can help you with your specific concerns? Here are just a few of the most common ways therapy helps teens.
Depression
Depression is a common illness that tends to start in your adolescent years. If you’ve been feeling run-down or disinterested in things you normally enjoy, you could benefit from seeing a therapist.
Depression can take other forms too. For instance, you might have extreme emotional responses that make no sense, like getting more upset than you should about minor problems. If that’s happening to you, teen counseling might be able to help.
Anxiety and Stress
We all deal with stress in our daily lives, and many of us can benefit from having a helping hand.
Did you know anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting over 18% of adults? If you have a high level of anxiety or if you experience panic attacks, an anxiety disorder could be the culprit.
You don’t need to have a disorder to benefit from therapy, though. Many teens who go to counseling just want some help dealing with the stress of their lives in a healthy way.
Major Life Decisions
The teenage years are full of crossroads and new experiences in your life. You’re probably dealing with your first romantic relationships, changes in social dynamics, and maybe your first experiences with alcohol or drugs.
On top of all that, it’s a time when you need to decide what career path to take after high school. All these firsts and changes at once can be a lot for anyone to deal with, and therapy can help.
Self-Esteem Problems
People of any age can struggle with self-esteem, but it’s especially tough for teens. With the help of counseling, you don’t have to get through it alone.
A therapist can help you learn to love yourself and improve your self-esteem. Whether your self-conscious is based on your appearance or your skills, a therapist will help you cope and enhance your self-esteem.
Conflicts with Family and Friends
The teen years have a tendency to change the way you relate to the people in your life. Many teens have more disagreements with their parents than they used to. You may get into arguments with your friends as well.
A therapist can help you find ways to navigate and handle those conflicts in a better way.
How to Find a Teen Therapist
If you’re having trouble navigating your adolescent years, you’re not alone.
Teen counseling can help you get through all the changes and issues you’re dealing with so you can feel happier and more fulfilled on a daily basis. The key is finding a therapist with extensive experience treating teens.
For more great self-improvement tips, check out our blog.