Therapy with Teens

Why is Teen Therapy Important?

From driver’s licenses and first kisses to bullying and breakups, teens face a unique rollercoaster of life experiences.

Adolescence marks a chaotic period of physical, social, and psychological change (see Dacey & Travers, 2002).  Teens must constantly adapt to the stressors and demands that come with transitioning to young adulthood, leaving many feeling disoriented and overwhelmed.  And the youth in the Newport Beach, California area are no exception.  

To make things worse, the changes in the brain during adolescence can affect levels of impulsivity, risk-taking, and decreased self-control (Romer, 2010).  Research has estimated the prevalence of mental illness amongst teens in the United States (ages 13 to 18) to be 22%, including anxiety, depression, and drug/alcohol use as the most common disorders.

Fortunately, psychotherapy for teens has been found to be an effective treatment option (Cartwright-Hatton et al, 2004). 

Although we hope to provide support and treatment for struggling teens, many are reluctant to participate in therapy services.  This is particularly true for teenage boys (Chandra, & Minkovitz, 2006). 

How is Teen Therapy Different?

Therapy with teenagers may look very different from therapy with adults or young children.  

Legal differences are particularly important, especially for laws about confidentiality and family involvement in treatment. Under California State Law, children who are 12 years of age and older may consent to their own treatment (Code § 6924).  However, parents must be involved in the treatment at some point (with a few exceptions).  This means that teens can come to therapy and have an additional layer of privacy, thereby allowing them to share more freely with the therapist.  Of course, if there is a risk of harm to self or others (such as suicidality or self-harm), such information would be shared with the parent to ensure the client’s safety.