Teen Counseling

Anxiety is a common challenge and can show up at different points as teens grow and face new experiences. During this time, a teen goes through significant changes including in the brain which shapes the teens emotional and cognitive functions, periods of physical growth, as well as hormonal shifts which all can make teens more prone to feeling anxious. This anxiety can stem from various sources, such as school pressures, social issues, or personal self-esteem concerns, and often becomes more noticeable during major life transitions or stressful periods. Teens will often mask their anxiety, making it tough for parents to realize their reactions are coming from anxiety. Look out for signs like persistent fears, avoiding social situations, or irritability. To help them manage their anxiety, it’s crucial to understand what’s causing their symptoms in the first place.

We understand the unique challenges faced by individuals within the LGBTQ+ community, including social stigma, discrimination, and identity development. We are dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals through culturally sensitive and inclusive therapeutic approaches.

ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, impulse control, and organization. However, it also brings unique strengths such as hyperfocus, creativity, and spontaneity. For children and teens, these challenges in focusing on tasks or managing their behavior can sometimes lead to feelings of exclusion. In fast-paced games or conversations, they may miss subtle social cues or details of the rules, leaving them open to criticism or feeling “outside” of the group, impacting their self-esteem. In therapy, we empower children and teens to truly understand and appreciate how their brains work. We emphasize their incredible potential, teaching strategies to manage impulse control and offering tools to strengthen self-esteem. By embracing their distinct abilities and learning to navigate social situations, they can transform their unique ways of thinking into sources of pride and connection.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in teens involves recurring, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) performed to reduce anxiety caused by these thoughts. Teens with OCD might constantly worry about things like contamination or harming others, and they often engage in rituals like excessive handwashing or repeated checking to feel more in control. This disorder can significantly impact their daily life and functioning. It’s common for OCD to show up in combination with other conditions in teens, such as anxiety disorders, depression, ADHD or autism.

Depression in teens often involves persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness that don’t seem to go away. It can affect their mood, energy levels, and ability to enjoy things they once liked. Symptoms might include changes in sleep or appetite, trouble concentrating, or withdrawing from friends and activities. While it’s normal for teens to experience some ups and downs due to the many changes they’re going through, prolonged or severe feelings of depression are a serious concern and should be addressed with support and professional help.

School is a huge part of a teenager’s life, and the pressure to succeed academically can lead to significant stress. Teens often face heightened stress due to factors like the intense competition for college admissions, the pressure to meet parents’ expectations, uncertainty about life after high school and the challenge of balancing academics with social/extracurricular activities. As academic demands grow, even students who have previously done well may start to struggle, revealing some learning challenges that had been previously masked. Behavioral issues like ADHD can also impact their performance. Stress related to school can manifest in various ways, including a fear of attending school, skipping classes, dropping out, or a noticeable drop in grades. These academic challenges often highlight broader issues and can affect overall well-being, making it crucial to address both the stress and its underlying causes.

Behavioral issues in teens can be challenging for any parent. Adolescents often display behavioral issues due to hormonal changes, brain developmental changes, social and environmental stressors, and physical growth. It is common for parents to notice behavioral changes which may be a result of health issues, bullying or undiagnosed mental health conditions. If left unaddressed, these stressors may lead to unhealthy coping habits, such as drug and alcohol abuse. It is important to provide a place and support where teens can open up about issues and challenges that may be driving their poor behavior.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Level 1 often comes with exceptional strengths, such as logical thinking or passionate, focused interests, yet also presents challenges in social communication, interpreting non-verbal cues, and managing sensory sensitivities. In therapy, we create a supportive space for children and teens to understand and embrace their neurodiversity. Through Play Therapy, structured role-playing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and other methods, we help them interpret and make sense of the world in ways that feel safe and approachable. We also address sensory sensitivities, helping them develop strategies to feel more comfortable in everyday environments. Emotional regulation is key, and we focus on teaching ways to recognize, express, and manage emotions effectively. Our goal is to empower children and teens to own their unique brains, build meaningful connections, and approach social interactions with confidence and resilience.

Therapy can help adolescents build their social confidence by creating a supportive environment where teens can practice and improve their interactions with peers and adults. They use role-playing exercises to simulate real-life social situations, teaching teens how to initiate conversations and read social cues. Therapists also provide feedback and guidance on body language, active listening, and managing anxiety in social settings. By setting small, achievable goals, therapists help teens gradually build confidence and competence in their social interactions, which can lead to better relationships and improved self-esteem.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a helpful approach for teens looking to manage their thoughts and feelings. CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative or unhelpful thought patterns that can affect mood and behavior. By learning to recognize the patterns of more extreme thinking and replacing them with more positive or realistic thoughts, teens can handle challenges more effectively. We use CBT to guide teens in developing practical strategies for dealing with issues like anxiety, depression, and stress, helping them build a more balanced and positive outlook on life.

When it comes to helping teens work through tough emotions and traumatic experiences, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can be especially effective. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which mainly focuses on verbal communication, EMDR uses physical techniques like eye movements or tapping to directly address and reprocess traumatic memories. This can be particularly beneficial for teens, who might find it hard to express their feelings with words alone. EMDR helps to quickly reduce symptoms like anxiety and flashbacks and promotes healthier emotional processing. Its structured approach allows teens to work through trauma at their own pace while building resilience and coping skills. That’s why, at Bellevue Family Counseling, we might choose EMDR over other therapies—it offers a dynamic and targeted way to support teens in navigating their emotional challenges.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of therapy that focuses on helping people accept their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling guilty about them. It differs from CBT (cognitive behavior therapy) where the therapist encourages the client to find new perspectives or soften harsh thoughts. In ACT it’s about accepting the thought. It encourages individuals to live in the present moment and commit to actions that align with their values. This modality can be especially helpful for teens who find themselves distracted or unmotivated. Rather than trying to change the thought, we focus on if the thought or actions are moving towards or away from the teen’s values. ACT combines mindfulness techniques with behavioral changes to help teens reduce the impact of negative thoughts that can paralyze them, lean into the feeling and not let that stop them from reaching their goals.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a great option for teens who are dealing with intense emotions and tough social situations. Unlike Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which mainly focuses on changing negative thought patterns, DBT combines talk therapy with practical skills training to help teens manage their feelings and improve their relationships. DBT emphasizes teaching skills like mindfulness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness, offering tools to better understand and cope with emotions. At Bellevue Family Counseling, we use DBT to help teens build resilience and develop a more balanced, positive approach to life’s challenges.

Lifespan Integration is a gentle therapy which works at a deep level to change habitual emotional responses. LI therapy helps connect unpleasant feelings and dysfunctional patterns with the memories of the past events from which these feelings and strategies originated. Making these connections at a deep level of the body-mind ‘re-sets’ the neural system so that it is more in line with the current life situation. This ‘re-setting’ happens very rapidly for most people. After LI therapy, people find themselves spontaneously reacting to current stressors in more appropriate ways. After several sessions of LI, clients have reported that they feel better about life, are more self-accepting, and are better able to enjoy their intimate relationships.