Your Guide to Teen Therapy
Parents and guardians often ask themselves, "Is my teen’s behavior normal?" Yet, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 7 adolescents (ages 10-19) experience a mental health disorder — accounting for 13 percent of the global health impact within this age group.
Could this be your teen? For many, this is an extremely difficult subject to face, but it's better than the consequences of failing to address an increasing mental health problem affecting your teen.
Just as doctors treat physical health problems, therapists are there to help treat mental health problems. If your teenager breaks their arm, you take them to see an orthopedic surgeon; so if they are anxious or depressed, you should immediately start searching, "Where do I find therapists for teens near me."
What is mental health for teens?
Mental health relates to how people act, feel and think in different circumstances. A teen's actions, feelings or thoughts can create obstacles in their lives if they are experiencing mental health problems. While everybody, especially a teenager, encounters challenges growing up, a therapist can help identify whether their challenges are beginning to interfere with their daily function and development.
Why do teens have mental health problems?
Initially, some would argue, "it's just part of growing up," and that may be true to some point, but it doesn't mean you don't need to seek help. While many different factors can cause mental health problems, here are some common factors you can consider:
Medical conditions. Some medical conditions can make you think, feel, or behave differently — seeing a therapist would confirm if this is the case for your teenager.
Stress. There are stressors that are helpful, like not wanting to fail an exam, which pushes your teenager to study. Unmanaged stress, however, can lead to mental health problems.
Violence. Witnessing or going through a traumatizing event can lead to issues because these events are often difficult for a teenager to process.
Losing someone. Similarly, losing someone because they passed or moved away can be a challenging situation for teenagers to navigate. While some teens are able to process these events on their own, more often than not, the loss affects other areas of a teenager's life.
Genetics, environmental settings and hormonal changes present during puberty combined with these factors can also cause issues in a teenager's life. Mental health or behavioral problems in teens often present themselves as:
Self-harm
Substance abuse
Eating disorder
To uncover these problems, parents or guardians should actively look for warning signs. For example, you should consider seeking help if your teen demonstrates the following:
Distracted from normal activities. Symptoms and intrusive thoughts can disrupt anyone's quality of life, especially young people.
Poor grades or job performance. It's normal to fail occasionally, but it can be a concern if your teen begins to lose interest in the things that once excited them.
Rapid mood swings. Your teenager is no longer regulating their emotions effectively, such as anger or sadness, even in front of others.
Struggling with relationships. They find it hard to socialize even with their close relationships, often wanting to isolate themselves.
High risk behaviors. Suddenly engaging in high-risk and reckless behavior such as consuming alcohol, taking drugs or having many sexual partners can be another indicator your teen requires help.
Paranoia or hallucinations. Although rare, some experience delusions, fearing that others are trying to harm them.
It’s best not to wait — seek professional help immediately to recognize the difference between everyday teenage stress and more severe mental health problems so you can deal with them early on.
However, if you're a parent that has tried googling “therapists for teens near me,” but have found little success, don't give up. It’s possible to find the therapist that’s right for your teen and their specific needs.
Where do I find the right teen therapist near me?
It's natural for teen parents or guardians to want to find therapists in their area, and while you may have to look around for "therapists for teens near me" to find the right one, Park Slope Therapy is here for you and your teen.
You want someone who is accessible, so it won't be a problem if you wish to visit the office or have the therapist do counseling in your own home — Park Slope Therapy is here for you and your teen.
In addition to in-person counseling, Park Slope Therapy also offers therapy sessions via phone or video conferencing to accommodate everyone's needs.
For more information, you can check our services page here or send a message.
