Teens Counseling
Have they become withdrawn, moody, or unusually irritable?
Are they avoiding school, falling behind academically, or isolating from friends and family?
Have you noticed signs of anxiety, depression, or overwhelming stress?
Is Your Teen Struggling, and You’re Not Sure How to Help?
Watching your teenager go through emotional pain can be one of the most heartbreaking experiences as a parent. You may feel like the child you used to know is slipping away and that no matter how hard you try to connect, they won’t let you in. They snap at you over simple things, shut their door the moment they get home, or insist they’re “fine” even though you know in your heart, they’re not.
Of course some of these behaviors can be normal parts of adolescence, but as a parent you may wonder if this is “just being a teenager” or something more serious. You might second-guess your parenting decisions and feel the weight of wanting to protect them from a world that seems harsh and unforgiving.
Teens often would rather talk to someone else other than a parent. Teen therapy offers your child a safe space to process what they’re going through and gives you peace of mind knowing you’re doing everything you can to support them. You don’t have to figure out this difficult stage of their life alone.
Teens Are Facing Unprecedented Levels of Stress and Pressure
From academic expectations and college anxiety to social media, bullying, identity development, and navigating friendships, today’s teens are carrying a heavy emotional load. On top of that, their brains are still developing the tools needed to regulate intense emotions. It’s no wonder so many teenagers feel overwhelmed, anxious, or shut down.
The CDC reports that approximately 4 in 10 high school students report experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness and 2 in 10 seriously considered committing suicide. These numbers are worrying and significant and do not reflect the teens who are struggling without ever telling anyone.
Mental health concerns in adolescence can look different for each teen. Some may lash out, while others turn inward. Some may overachieve to hide their anxiety, while others may disengage completely. If your teen seems “not like themselves” lately, it’s okay to take that seriously and get the help of a teen counselor.
Therapy Can Be a Lifeline for Both You and Your Teen
Teenagers often crave independence but still need structure, support, and connection. Therapy gives them a place to be fully themselves without judgment, pressure, or expectations.
At RelationshipStore, we work with teens between the ages of 13–19. If your child is a preteen, we offer childrens counseling as well that goes up to age 12. We counsel teens who are dealing with a wide range of challenges, including:
Anxiety and depression
Academic pressure and perfectionism
Identity and self-esteem issues
Peer relationships and bullying
Family conflict and divorce
Social media issues
Grief and loss
Trauma and abuse
Our therapists are pros at connecting with teens, using humor, compassion, or creativity to break through their walls and help them open up. Whether your teen is skeptical about therapy or eager for help, we will create a space where they feel heard, respected, and empowered.
What the Teen Therapy Process Looks Like
We understand that teens do not open up easily and they definitely don’t want to feel like they’re being “fixed.” That’s why we focus on building authentic relationships with our teen clients first, so they feel comfortable coming to therapy.
Here’s how the process works:
1. Parent Consultation:
Prior to beginning our work with your teen, we invite you to attend an initial parent consultation for you to share what you have been noticing, what your concerns are, and what you hope therapy can help with. You know your child better than anyone, and we want to hear what is going on from your perspective.
This is an optional step of the process and we do see teens without having an initial session with a parent.
2. Getting to Know Your Teen:
Next, we meet with your teen one-on-one. We will take time to get to know them. We talk about their interests, their challenges, what they care about, and what they are struggling with. This helps us build trust and develop a personalized plan.
3. Tailored Support for Their Needs:
Whether your teen needs to process a recent loss, build coping strategies, improve relationships, or explore their identity, we’ll work with them at their pace. Our sessions may include talk therapy, mindfulness, creative expression, and evidence-based techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
4. Ongoing Parent Support:
We respect your teens confidentiality and will not tell you anything your teen does not consent to - unless they or somebody else is in danger. However, we do offer parenting sessions to give you additional support and we can often schedule your sessions to be at the same time as your teens sessions.
Parenting a Teen is Hard. Therapy Can Help.
One of the hardest things about parenting a teenager is knowing when to step in and when to give space. If you’re considering therapy, it means you care deeply and are willing to try something new for your child’s well-being.
You may have moments where you wonder:
Is this just a phase?
Should I have noticed something sooner?
What if they don’t want to talk to anyone?
Those are all valid fears. But the truth is that reaching out for help for your teenager is an act of love. You don’t have to wait for things to get worse before getting support. In fact, early intervention often prevents more serious issues down the road.
What If My Teen Doesn’t Want To Go To Therapy?
Many teens are hesitant at first. They may say, “I’m fine,” or “I don’t need therapy.” That’s okay. Resistance is an extremely common response to therapy, especially from teens. We’re experienced in working with teens who don’t initially want to be here, and we don’t take it personally. In most cases, once they meet with a therapist who treats them with respect and without judgment, they start to open up.
We use humor, honesty, and real conversation to build rapport. And we don’t force anything. Our job is to make therapy feel like a space your teen actually wants to return to.
Common Questions Parents Have About Teen Counseling
Will I know what my teen is talking about in session?
We respect your teens confidentiality and do not relay what your teen is sharing with us in session unless there are serious safety concerns present.
How do I know if this is just a phase or something deeper?
It’s hard to know—but if something feels off, it’s worth exploring. Therapy can help determine whether your teen is facing temporary stress or something more persistent, and offer tools either way.
What if things get worse before they get better?
That’s not uncommon. When teens begin to open up, they may feel more vulnerable before they feel stronger. However, with the right support, they begin to find clarity and relief.
Will counseling really help my teenager?
Absolutely. Therapy helps teens understand and express emotions, develop resilience and coping skills, navigate peer and family dynamics, and reduce anxiety, depression, and harmful behaviors.
Why Choose RelationshipStore for Teen Counseling?
We understand that every teen is different. Some need space to talk through anxiety. Others need help managing impulsivity or navigating identity and social pressure. We don’t apply a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we get to know your teen’s personality, likes, dislikes, and who they really are.
We have therapists who specialize in adolescent development and take a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, LGBTQIA+ affirming approach. We are committed to creating safe, welcoming spaces for every teen, no matter who they are or what they’re facing.
GIVE YOUR TEEN THE SUPPORT THEY NEED.
