Signs Your Teen Might Benefit from Therapy (and How to Start the Conversation)

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Sign

Persistent Sadness, Anxiety, or Emotional Withdrawal

Today, 40% of teens experience persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. If your child seems consistently down, anxious, or emotionally shut off for an extended period of time, it’s worth paying attention.

Signs of depression or anxiety in teenagers include a lack of energy, feeling unmotivated, poor concentration, or withdrawing from friends and family. If unaddressed, these emotional needs can negatively impact your teenager’s well-being and even safety.

02

Sign

Sudden Changes in Behavior, Sleep, or Academic Performance

If you notice a distinct change in your teen’s behavior or mood that persists, it is a clear sign that it’s likely time for professional help. You might have noticed them withdrawing from friends and usual activities, experiencing a significant change in their level of motivation, being chronically or explosively angry, or experiencing a significant change in their eating habits or sleeping habits. When your teen’s performance in school suddenly drops without explanation, this could point toward underlying issues such as stress or depression.

These shifts can be easy to dismiss, but they’re often the first signal a struggling teenager has to communicate that something is wrong.

03

Sign

Social Isolation or Loss of Interest in Favorite Activities

If your teenager has become increasingly isolated or withdrawn from friends and family, it could indicate deeper emotional issues. Pay attention if they’ve stopped reaching out to friends, dropped sports or hobbies they once loved, or seem to have retreated entirely into their room. They could show a lack of interest in activities they used to enjoy, like sports, clubs, or just hobbies. Any sudden changes in your child’s behavior could be a sign that something isn’t right.

04

Sign

Physical Complaints Without a Medical Cause

Mental health doesn’t always announce itself with emotional language. Stomach aches, headaches, and complaints of pain are common ways for teenagers to express underlying experiences of mental health concerns. When there is no medical reason for these symptoms, it is important to think about what might be contributing to your teen’s complaints. If their pediatrician consistently assesses them but can’t identify what’s wrong, it may be time to look beneath the surface.

05

Sign

Risky Behavior or Signs of Self-Harm

Some individuals often use alcohol and drugs to cope with difficult feelings or circumstances, and your teenager could be abusing them without you knowing. Overusing these substances can signal deep emotional pain that needs to be addressed. If your teenager is hurting themself or abusing drugs or alcohol, this is a sign of significant emotional distress.

Abusing substances often manifests alongside self-harm behaviors. In fact, self-harm can become habit-forming and escalate over time, and could become a safety risk to your child or others. If you notice these signs with your child, be sure to seek professional support right away.

80%

In 2023, nearly 80% of children between 12 and 17 years old who needed mental health treatment received it. If your teen sees a professional, they are far from alone.

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Choose the right moment

Choose a time when both you and your child are well rested and calm to bring up the topic of seeing a therapist. Avoid raising it mid-conflict or crisis.

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Lead with love, not labels

Frame the conversation around what you’ve noticed, not what’s wrong. Try something like: “I’ve noticed you seem really tired lately, and I just want to make sure you have the right support.”

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Give them agency

Give your teen choices whenever possible. You might let them help choose the therapist, decide between in-person or online sessions, or agree to try just one appointment. Even small choices send an important message: Your voice matters.

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Address confidentiality concerns

Talk to your teen about patient confidentiality to make them feel like they have control over their own privacy. A therapist may share generalities with parents, like it was a hard session or a good discussion, but they won’t get into specifics without your child’s permission.

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Adolescent specialization

Not all therapists specialize in working with teenagers. Look for mental health professionals with relevant training and experience, such as licensed counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, or clinical psychologists. Confirm that they have experience treating teens and addressing the specific challenges your child is facing.

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A strong therapeutic relationship

The quality of the therapeutic relationship is a primary factor in improving mental health outcomes for teens. Techniques like motivational interviewing and active listening were especially effective in building rapport and promoting treatment success.

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A flexible, adaptive approach

The most skilled adolescent therapists have a diverse toolkit of methods they can draw from, adapting their approach to match each teen’s unique needs, interests, and developmental stage. They don’t force your child into their preferred method; they adapt their methods to fit your child.

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Family involvement

Teens need their own safe space to talk freely. But a therapist who has a family-centered approach will view the family as part of the therapeutic process and will engage parents in ways that are supportive, respectful, and open.