Types of Therapy Good for Our Teens

The significant mental health crisis the world is experiencing is at RED level status. Understanding the types of therapy available to you and your family in the moment of crisis is extremely important — and I know not everyone is a therapist, like me. I am hopeful my knowledge and experience will help you or someone you love should a mental health crisis happen.

In the spring of 2022, I experienced an enormous influx of calls and messages from parents of kids in middle and high school. In one day, I had a friend call needing help getting her depressed husband immediate mental health help — he was on the verge of suicide and she had nowhere to turn. Several hours later, another friend called because her middle school daughter had disclosed she was actively engaging in self-harm and needed an immediate assessment.

The problem is that almost every therapist on your insurance list is full. They are backed up for months. And the ones who do have space are often cash-only at $175 an hour. Private psychiatric hospitals can run $1,500 a day — and many want money upfront.

One friend waited almost two days at a general hospital emergency room before a bed became available for her suicidal teen. You can see exactly why getting the right types of therapy before you reach the crisis point is critical.

One type of therapy is called "client-centered" or person-centered therapy. It was founded by psychologist Carl Rogers in the 1940s and 1950s. This type of therapy includes a partnership in the therapeutic process — the therapist doesn't direct or judge your feelings or offer suggestions or solutions.

Rogers said that "people have a self-actualizing tendency, or a desire to fulfill their potential and become the best that they can be." His form of therapy was intended to allow clients to fulfill that potential by relying on their own strength to change.

The environment is supposed to be comfortable, non-judgmental, and empathetic. In technical terms, Rogers says you need: genuineness and congruence, unconditional positive regard, and empathic understanding.

To me, these are the foundation of any good therapeutic relationship — not just one specific modality.

Art therapy is probably my favorite type of therapy. (I'm biased because I use art as a form of therapy in my practice.)

The American Art Therapy Association describes it as: "Art therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship."

Art therapy is used to:

• Improve cognitive and sensorimotor functions
• Foster self-esteem and self-awareness
• Cultivate emotional resilience
• Promote insight
• Enhance social skills
• Reduce and resolve conflicts and distress

When I use art as a form of therapy, I'm usually working with someone who is creative, or who struggles with meeting new people or being in new situations. I use art in my sessions to observe how someone approaches a challenge, handles disappointment or frustration. I watch a picture of their family evolve and see what it shows me about each person as they relate to the client.

Art therapy works especially well with young clients who may have something they need to work out but haven't quite developed the communication skills to talk about it. It also works well with nonverbal clients. I always have art supplies on hand in my office — and honestly, in my car and tote bag. A set of markers may be all that stands between you and a very awkward, quiet therapy session.

For preteens and teens, group therapy is another highly successful way to engage a group of like-minded people.

I run a SEL (Socio-Emotional Learning) group that provides participants with skill work in:

• Improving communication
• Building self-esteem
• Successfully navigating social media
• Stress and time management
• Developing skills related to school and learning

These groups are 6 weeks long and serve the purpose of helping participants develop and test new skills in a safe environment with like-minded peers. They are specifically designed to normalize the issues that participants are experiencing.

I cannot tell you how impactful it is when a group of middle school girls sit around the table and realize they all have the same anxieties over a topic — and you watch as their shoulders drop and they heave a huge sigh of relief that they are not the only people in the world struggling with this. It's a relief, and to see that on their faces is just amazing.

No matter what direction you decide to go, a strong connection with your therapist is crucial — especially for your kids. Your child must feel safe and have trust in their counselor, or things won't work out.

Encourage your child to give it three sessions before trying to find someone else. Sometimes the connection takes time. Sometimes they have to see for themselves that this person isn't going to quit or back down just because they are silent or don't want to share too much.

Whatever process you find — if it works, stick with it. Do whatever it takes to get your kid the support and help they need. If they ask for therapy, get it for them. They need to see that you are taking their needs seriously and you have their back.

You got this.

Ready to explore therapy options for your teen? Reach out to schedule a session — I'd love to help.