Top 10 Reasons Teens Go to Therapy
The teen years are difficult ones. For some, adolescence can be more difficult. Teenagers who are having a particularly hard time sometimes choose take advantage of therapy and find healthy ways to cope with their various troubles and circumstances. Of all the reasons juveniles go to therapy, below are the most common.
- Depression
Many teens suffer from self-esteem issues which can lead to depression. Those who feel overly worried, depressed, sad or shy can benefit from therapy because they need someone who will support and encourage them. In many cases, therapy is the first time someone really listens to them and tries to be supportive.
- Anxiety Disorders
Some teens get overly anxious, whether that be about speaking in front of class or preparing for exams or being confronted by a bully. Teens who are so anxious that they in some way feel stuck, seek therapy to gain the courage, peace and confidence to overcome their fears.
- Behavior Problems
Anger, depression, low self-esteem, sadness and learning disabilities can result in teens making foolish decisions and cause harm to themselves and others. Those who want to stop their destructive habits such eating disorders, addictions, over spending, smoking, nail biting, using drugs, and self-harm can find success in therapy.
- Substance Abuse Issues
Unfortunately, teens are prone to peer pressure and don’t always make the right decisions. Exposure to drinking and drug abuse often occur during adolescence. Teens seek therapy to break free of the addictions and substance abuse issues that they know are harming them.
- Stress
The pressure to succeed in school or extracurricular activities can leave some teens burned out and overwhelmed. When teens seek out therapy, they can learn time management skills, how to prioritization and set boundaries.
- School-Related Issues
School can be a challenge for some teens, whether they have a learning or attention problem, get anxious, have behavioral problems such as anger, or being bullied. Some teens also seek therapy because they struggle with self-confidence, making friends or coping with peer pressure.
- Legal Problems
Teens struggle with peer pressure and self-esteem problems which can lead them into hanging out with the wrong crowd and making terrible decisions. Teens who get into trouble with the law are usually encouraged, if not forced, to go to therapy. Teens who decide for themselves that therapy is their best option to stop and begin afresh
- Low Self-Esteem
Teens need to feel loved, accepted and worth listening to. They are bombarded with peer pressure, bullying and judgment. Therapy offers teenagers with low self-esteem a listening ear and a safe place where they feel wanted and accepted as they are.
- Trauma
There are some adolescents who have experienced traumatic events and need someone outside their friends and family to talk to about it. Teens who have experienced a traumatic event seek the safety, listening ear and outside perspective of a therapist.
- Grief
Like adults, therapy can greatly help grieving teenagers walk through it and handle it in a healthy way. Grief can be the result of many causes such as the death of a loved one, divorce or separation of parents, alcoholism or addiction of a parent, news of a chronic illness or anything else. Some teens resort to some destructive coping strategies to push through the pain. Therapy provides hurting and grieving teenagers an outlet to process their feeling and make more sense of their situations.
There is a lot going on in the lives of adolescents during middle school and high school years. Teens seek therapy to help them address, handle and overcome a wide range of obstacles and personal struggles. As a professional therapist, you can have a great impact and influence on the lives of teens. If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a licensed therapist, we invite you to read some of our professional development resources.