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Therapy for Teens

Getting your teen the help they need

As a parent, you want the best for your teenager. However, adolescence can be a challenging time, and many teens struggle to cope with the pressures of school, relationships, and growing up. At Plymouth Mental Health we specialize in providing compassionate and effective therapy for teens, helping them navigate these difficult years with confidence and resilience.

Our therapy sessions are tailored to meet the unique needs of each teen we work with. We understand that every teenager is different, and we take the time to listen and understand their individual challenges and goals. Our therapists are experienced in working with teens and use evidence-based techniques to help them develop coping skills, improve communication, and build self-esteem.

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Is Therapy Right For My Teen?

Being an aware and observant parent is important during this phase of your child’s life. By knowing what is typical for your teen in terms of behaviors, emotions and social interactions, you’ll be able to more easily identify changes that may warrant attention. Below are some examples of what to look for and keep on your radar.

Emotional Changes

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Be alert for emotional changes, such as:

  • Feelings of sadness, which can include crying spells for no apparent reason

  • Frustration or feelings of anger, even over small matters

  • Feeling hopeless or empty

  • Irritable or annoyed mood

  • Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities

  • Loss of interest in, or conflict with, family and friends

  • Low self-esteem

  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

  • Fixation on past failures, exaggerated self-blame or self-criticism

  • Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure, and the need for excessive reassurance

  • Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things

  • Ongoing sense that life and the future are grim and bleak

  • Frequent thoughts of death, dying or suicide

Behavioral Changes

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Watch for changes in behavior, such as:

  • Tiredness and loss of energy

  • Insomnia or sleeping too much

  • Changes in appetite — decreased appetite and weight loss, or increased cravings for food and weight gain

  • Use of alcohol or drugs

  • Agitation or restlessness — for example, pacing, hand-wringing or an inability to sit still

  • Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements

  • Frequent complaints of unexplained body aches and headaches

  • Gastrointestinal problems

  • Social isolation

  • Poor school performance or frequent absences from school

  • Procrastinates on, or has difficulty concentrating on, homework assignments more than usual

  • Less attention to personal hygiene or appearance

  • Angry outbursts, disruptive or risky behavior, or other acting-out behaviors

  • Self-harm — for example, cutting, burning, or excessive piercing or tattooing

  • Making a suicide plan or a suicide attempt

What’s Normal and What’s Not?

It can be difficult to tell the difference between ups and downs that are just part of being a teenager and teen depression, anxiety or other mental health concerns. Our best advice is to talk with your teen. Sometimes a simple question will give them permission to verbalize what they are feeling. We often hear from teens that they wish someone would have just asked the right questions sooner because they didn’t know how to start the conversation. Talk with your teen and try to determine whether he or she seems capable of managing challenging feelings, or if life seems overwhelming.

 

Depression, anxiety and other symptoms affecting their daily functioning likely won’t get better on their own — and they may get worse or lead to other problems if untreated. If your teen seems like they could benefit from therapy or just another added support in their life, We are here to help!

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