What Your Teen Wants to Know About Therapy
Therapy can be a valuable resource for anybody but especially for teens as they navigate the challenges and complexities of life at this age. Therapy can help with all kinds of issues and difficulties – as someone who has worked with teens in the therapy room for half a decade, I can tell you there is no bounds to the struggles teens face! Therapy is feeling less like a mystery these days with access to therapists on social media like Instagram and TikTok, but it is still super common for teens to have questions and uncertainties about it. A good, helpful place to start is with the basics, keep reading to learn more!
What is therapy and why might I need it?
Therapy is a process where you can talk to a trained professional about your thoughts, feelings, and concerns in a safe and confidential environment without judgment. There are many things it can help with such as managing stress, coping with emotions, improving relationships with your friends and family, boosting your self-confidence, and working through the many changes you might experience.
Check out THIS BLOG about how to know if you need therapy.
How long does therapy last?
Great question! The short answer is that therapy will end when you're ready for it to end, which may be sooner than you think.
There isn't a definitive time frame therapy lasts—it all depends on what you want out of your therapy experience and your current struggles. For example, if you’re experiencing stress and anxiety, you may feel ready to stop therapy after several months of consistent sessions. This would mean that you’ve developed the skills needed to manage their symptoms over time and have gained a greater understanding of how your anxiety has developed.
Someone who has experienced trauma on the other hand might need more time before feeling fully "ready" for therapy to end—but even then, it doesn't mean they're unable to achieve lasting change without continued care from a therapist!
This is something you and your therapist can figure out together.
Is therapy only for people with serious mental health issues?
Nope! t can be helpful for anyone who feels like they need support or guidance in certain areas of their life and can look different in each individual. Therapy can help you with the following -
· Learn tools and coping skills to regulate feelings and manage stress
· Identify thoughts and feelings you are experiencing
· Enhance communication skills
· Developing a healthy self-esteem, self-image and confidence
· Help with managing depression and anxiety
· Identify helpful strategies for academic success
· Increase skills around relating with peers
· Have a judgment free, supportive space outside of the home, family and school to process and make meaning difficulties in their life and work towards healthy development of own identity
Will I be judged or criticized?
No way! A therapist isn't interested in judging or labeling what's going on with you or your friends and family. They are trained to provide empathy, understanding, and support. They can also help you see things from a new perspective and discover ways to feel better. They want to understand what's happening for you so that everyone feels heard and supported.
Therapists will listen carefully, be respectful of your feelings and thoughts, give you time to process what they've said and try out new ideas together. They'll take care of their own feelings as well so they can be fully present for your time together.
What do people talk about in therapy?
Therapy might sound scary or weird to you, like you'll be forced to talk about embarrassing stuff with a stranger. But it's actually a super chill and supportive space where you can talk about anything that's bugging you, big or small. Think of it like having a trusted friend who can help you figure out your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Here's the cool part: therapy isn't just about schwere stuff like depression or anxiety. It's also about stuff you might be dealing with right now, like:
School stress
Family difficulties
Friendships
Body image
Relationships
Big life change
Therapy is about you and what matters to you. You might be surprised at how much it can help!
Can I tell my parents what we talk about?
Yes. Your therapist is there to help you feel comfortable, so if you're worried about what your parents might think of your therapy experience you can choose to tell them all about it—and if you're not ready yet, that's okay too.
Is therapy confidential (private)?
Absolutely! Confidentiality is one of the most important aspects of therapy. Therapists are required to keep whatever you say in the session private, and they should not disclose anything about your therapy sessions unless there is an immediate threat of harm.
This means that even if your parents ask the therapist what's going on, the therapist won’t share any information with them without you knowing about it in advance. No one should pressure you into saying things in therapy if you don't want to.
It's important to establish trust with your therapist and feel comfortable discussing any concerns you have about privacy.
Bottom line
I hope this helped! Remember, therapy isn't just for "crazy" people. It's a space for anyone who wants to understand themselves better and cope with life's challenges.
The most important thing is to remember that you're not alone. Everyone struggles sometimes, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. If you're even remotely curious about therapy, reach out! You deserve to feel supported, understood, and empowered to be your best.
Therapy can help
If you feel like you’re getting stuck along the way or want more guided support, it may be time to seek a consultation with a therapist. Contact Real Well Therapy here or call 512-686-7009.
Want to learn more about how anxiety therapy can help you? Click here!
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