Teen counseling

Teen years can be tough. You may have noticed that your teen does not seem like themselves. Your teen may be acting irritable, angry or withdrawn more than usual. Although it’s normal for teens to feel sad or irritable at times, when these feelings won’t go away it may be time to seek help. 

Symptoms of teen depression include:

• Sadness or hopelessness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Anger or irritability
• Withdrawal
• Lack of motivation
• Crying spells
• Loss of interest in activities or sports
• Change in school performance
• Change in eating or sleeping patterns
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Lack of energy
• Unexplained headaches or  stomachaches
• Thoughts of death or suicide

*If your teen experiences suicidal thoughts, please seek help from the National Suicide Lifeline, or call 911*

If your teen experiences the above symptoms for 2 weeks or longer and the symptoms are persistent or reoccurring, it would be a good idea to get them evaluated for depression. Behavior therapy for depression will be the next step of treatment.

Sometimes in can be difficult to tell the difference between ups and downs that are part of being a teenager or teen depression. If depression signs and symptoms continue and interfere in your teen's life, your doctor or pediatrician is a good place to start. Your teen's doctor can rule out any medical conditions. 

Teenage counseling can help your teen develop coping tools to alleviate depression symptoms.  In therapy your teen will learn Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) skills. CBT will help your teen identify thoughts, behaviors and negative core beliefs that are contributing to depression symptoms and work on modifying them. Your teen will have a safe space to process difficult emotions and work on creating healthy self-esteem and positive relationships. 

Reach out today to start teenage counselling behavioral therapy for depression. 

Teen anxiety can look different than anxiety in adults and children. Your teen may be more worried about how well they are doing in school, what others think of them, about their bodies, especially if they are starting puberty before or after their friends. 

Teen anxiety can also be around grades, sports, or college admissions. Teens can express anxiety by withdrawing and avoiding others, lashing out, or being irritable. If you are wondering if your teen is suffering from anxiety some signs and behaviors to look out for are:

• Recurring fears or worries
• Trouble concentrating
• Extreme self-consciousness
• Recurring reassurance or approval seeking
• Sleep changes
• Drop in grades
• Restlessness
• Avoidance of new situations
• Withdrawal from social activities

If your teen is showing any of the above behaviors help is available. In cognititve behavioral therapy your teen will have a safe space to be able to process their fears and anxieties. Your teen will learn grounding techniques to deal with anxiety and learn cognitive and behavioral skills to process anxious thoughts and emotions. 

Teenage counseling can help your teen develop:

• Skills to effectively manage stress and anger
• Relaxation and breathing exercises to deal with anxiety when it arises
• Coping tools to handle social anxiety or panic attacks

If you would like to find out ways you can help your teen with anxiety, request an appointment below to get started!

Adolescence is a stage of development where teens have new struggles and worries about their friends and social groups. Your teen may be looking for ways to fit in with their friends or could be dealing with bullying or relational aggression from peers. 

The Anti-Bullying Alliance defines bullying as: “The repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal or psychological. It can happen face-to-face or through cyberspace.”

Relational aggression in teens is a form of bullying that can include:

• Gossip
• Exclusion
• Silent treatment 
• Conditional friendship

Your teen may be experiencing this behavior within their friend group.

Relational aggression in teens can cause your teen to feel:

• Shame 
• Confusion
• Low self-esteem
• Social anxiety 
• Isolation

Teens may not have the words to describe what is going on or feel safe enough to share what happens with others. Teenage counseling that utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy can help your teen find a voice to speak up and develop skills to deal with bullying or relational aggression. 

Learn more about bullying, cyberbullying, or bullying outside of school and ways you can help your teen HERE  If your teen suffers from bullying, reach out today to see how behavior therapy can help!

Are you ready to get your teen the help they need? You want to see your teen smiling again, ready to find relief from anxiety and depression and be their best selves! Our Katy, TX Counseling Center can help! To start teen therapy follow these steps:

1. Contact Cinco Ranch Therapy to learn more about teen therapy in Katy, TX

2. Schedule your first appointment with your skilled and caring teen therapist, Julie Sekachev. 

3. Give your teen the gift of therapy and the opportunity to  begin a healthier future today!

In addition to teen counseling, our Katy, TX  therapy center   offers a variety of counseling services for adults, adolescents, families and couples. Our goal at Cinco Ranch Therapy is to help you feel seen and supported, and provide the highest quality care. Our counseling services include anxiety therapy, couples counseling, relationship therapy, teen therapy, narcissistic abuse recovery, trauma treatment, pefectionism and burnout. Contact our Cinco Ranch Therapy Center to learn more about how we can help you today!