Every parent or guardian wants the best for their teenager
To be happy, have healthy friendships, strong academics, and participate in meaningful extracurricular activities.
While these are all attainable goals, it is normal for teens to experience challenges. When a teen is struggling, it can be difficult to know how to support them. You may be noticing symptoms of anxiety in your teen, but not know how to handle it. No matter what parents do, it seems like nothing helps them feel better or modifies their behavior. This leaves many parents feeling helpless.
Challenges for today’s teenagers
We recognize that today’s teens experience unique challenges, which continue to rapidly change. A constant stream of information through social media bombards today’s young adults. Their phones, tablets, and other electronic devices send them constant notifications. Consequently, these pings entice them to check frequently messages and look at images and other content. This becomes the perfect storm for teens, leaving them vulnerable to feelings of shame, self-doubt, inadequacy, and depression. These feelings may then cause teenagers to act out with risky or unhealthy behaviors.
In addition, they may also withdraw from family life, preferring to spend time alone. Depression in teenagers is becoming more and more common. It can be worrisome and frustrating to see a teenager go through this. However, their struggles do not equal “bad” parenting or mean that your teen is “bad” or “broken” in some way.
Many families experience such trying feelings and problems. However, these things are very treatable. With the help of a counselor for teens, your family can get the support you deserve and begin the healing process.
Our approach to counseling for teens in Philadelphia, PA
We all know it can be difficult for teenagers to talk about their problems. Adolescents today can get stuck in a cycle of comparing themselves to others. They can feel pressure to live up to unattainable expectations. But, there is no shame in seeking support from a professional. Just like one would visit a doctor for a medical matter, it is important to see a specialist for emotional and behavioral issues.
The counselors for teens at our Philadelphia, PA-based therapy practice specialize in working with specific populations, like teenagers and young adults. Specializing in particular populations like this allows our team members to maximize the efficacy of treatment provided.
Together, we will work with your child to uncover the issues bothering them the most. We pride ourselves in creating a supportive, non-judgmental therapeutic space. This encourages open communication of teenagers’ thoughts, wishes, pain, and fears. Additionally, this provides a safe space for exploration of their own identity through self-discovery. We want to empower teenagers to become the best version of themselves. Working with a therapist for teens will help your teenager create realistic and attainable goals as well as provide your teenager with concrete tools to help them achieve them.
FAQs about counseling for teens
How do I know if I need to search for an adolescent psychologist or a therapist for teens?
Great question! Even the most confident parent can feel overwhelmed trying to find the right fit for their teenager’s needs. Some families get so caught up in finding the “perfect” professional that they give up altogether. However, psychologists, therapists, and counselors are all qualified mental health professionals fully capable of providing high-quality teen counseling.
The difference between these professionals is their credentials. Generally speaking, a psychologist has a master’s or doctoral degree in clinical psychology. However, a therapist or counselor typically has a degree in clinical mental health counseling, social work, or marriage and family therapy. Therapists, regardless of credentials, must also complete thousands of supervised hours to become licensed to practice in their state.
One type of degree is not superior to the other. Regardless of the person’s credentials, they are still highly qualified professionals with extensive education and clinical training. In the initial consultation with a therapist, they will likely disclose their professional experience and provide more information about their credentials. You can also request this information at any time.
Should I take my teen to a psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist is different from a psychologist, therapist, or counselor. This type of professional has a medical background. A psychiatrist’s main focus is prescribing medications to help with mental health symptoms, although there may be a therapy component to treatment, as well. Your teen therapist will give you more information if your teenager is in need of psychiatric support.
What are the benefits of teen counseling?
The benefits of having your child work with a therapist for teens are endless! In fact, your teenager does not need to be struggling in order to begin counseling for teens. Meeting with a therapist even to just check-in every once in a while can be beneficial for a developing adolescent or young adult. Many of the teens we see at our Philadelphia, PA area practice receive help with:
- Developing a strong sense of self
- Growing their self-esteem
- Learning healthy coping skills
- Expressing themselves in a constructive way
- Exploring their identity
Get started with counseling for teens in Philadelphia, PA!
We know that adolescence can be a challenging time for both you and your teen. At our therapy practice, we help families and their individual units become healthier and stronger. Whether your teenager is struggling with self-confidence, reckless behavior, or seems depressed, working with a therapist for teens can help. Additionally, we offer online therapy in Pennsylvania for your added convenience. If you’re ready to get your teen and family the support they deserve, let’s get started.
- Complete our contact form with your specific needs and a member of our team will reach out to you!
- Have your teen start sessions with a skilled counselor for teens.
- Get your teen the support they need while navigating this difficult time in their life.
Other Services at Main Line Counseling Specialists
Here at our therapy practice located in Philadelphia, PA, we know the importance of family. And we want to honor that! That’s why our therapists provide collaborative care for every member of the family. We offer couples therapy, therapy for young adults, and individual counseling for adults. Additionally, we provide counseling for life transitions to support you throughout all the stages of life. We also value continued learning so if you or someone needs clinical LPC supervision, we offer that too! Our team is here for you when you are ready to begin specialized, compassionate care with in-person or online therapy sessions. We would be honored to meet with you.