Teen Services
Is your teen a good fit for telehealth?
Telehealth can be a great resource for teens. Sometimes, teens connect better over the computer and find more comfort using technology for session as opposed to being in person. Just like with adults, sometime teens appreciate being able to join from where they are and not have to travel, they can enjoy avoiding sitting in an office waiting for their appointment, and some teens note the “stigma” of mental health treatment doesn’t feel so intense online. Some questions to ask if you are interested in exploring telehealth for your teen: Would my child feel comfortable talking over a computer for session? Do they have a private space they can join for session? Are there any barriers with technology that may be challenging for them? An important factor in determining if therapy is the right fit of your teen is their willingness to engage in treatment. In the same way that therapy with adults is only beneficial or successful if the adult is willing to engage, teens have to be invested and willing to build that relationship to see therapeutic growth. If your teen is not yet at that place, we can discuss alternative options!
Confidentiality and the limits to it with teens
When your child comes to therapy, whatever they share will remain private and confidential. Anything they share in therapy is protected health information. The only reasons that information would be shared with you or someone else would be if they shared they were going to harm themselves, harm someone else, or someone was harming them. Outside of that, your teen will have full say over what information they do and do not want shared with parents or guardians. While this can feel challenging at times, giving your teen a safe space to explore big issues with a licensed professional who is trained to help support is a great step! In order to protect that valuable therapeutic relationship with teens, I tend to engage the teen in all communication with the parent to ensure trust and transparency. Below is a link to some questions parents often have about their child’s treatment and some great suggestions around handling difficult topics:
What’s different about teens and adult therapy:
For teens, they often share a lot of the same concerns and challenges that adults face. From self doubt and self esteem concerns, anxiety and relationship challenges, to managing the transition into adulthood. Oftentimes therapy can look very similar for teens and adults, but is tailored to meet the unique developmental needs of teens. Sometimes, building relationships with teens can take a bit longer and look a bit different than adults.