Feeling misunderstood, disconnected, and regularly having pessimistic thoughts about yourself are just a few negative experiences of teenagers. Teenage years are a crucial period of development for several reasons. This period is an important time for a teenager to develop socially, cognitively, and to gain a sense of identity, each of which is necessary to being an independent and healthy adult. During this time, teenagers benefit from having a space to explore and resolve many issues that they face in life.
Teenagers face a set of unique challenges regarding their mental health. Some common concerns that teenagers may bring to therapy include:
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Anxiety. This may include general anxiety, social anxiety, excessive worry, and panic attacks. Any of these types of anxiety can have a severe and lasting impact on a teen’s life.
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Depression. Consistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest, difficulty concentrating, and social isolation are common symptoms of depression in teens.
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Behavioral changes. Teenagers can experience changes in how they behave and communicate with those around them. They may be more irritable toward family and friends, withdrawn, and have lessened academic performance.
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Relationship concerns. As teenagers develop socially, relationships with friends, family, and peers can become problematic. A major part of therapy for teens can be gaining conflict resolution skills and building meaningful relationships with others.
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Bullying. It is estimated that about 20% of teenagers experience bullying at any given time. Lessened self-esteem, emotional distress, and academic struggles are just a few of the many impacts of peer bullying.
Clarity Counseling has a trained team of clinicians that are specifically dedicated to navigating the concerns that teenagers bring to therapy. We understand how challenging it can be to begin therapy and how difficult it can be to begin to talk about how we feel. To make this process as easy as possible, the clinicians at Clarity Counseling value creating a safe, collaborative, and supportive environment for all clients that we work with.