How To Tell If Your Teen Needs Therapy

Raising teenagers is a journey full of ups and downs, but you're not alone. We understand the rollercoaster of emotions and the desire for independence that comes with these years. It’s completely normal to question whether your teen’s challenges are typical or if it’s time to seek extra support.

This guide is here to help you. If you’ve thought, “Does my teenager need therapy?”, we’ll discuss clear signs to watch for and how professional help can make a difference. By focusing on evidence-based methods, you can feel confident as you support your teen’s mental health.

Understanding Mental Health

The term “Mental Health” is everywhere. But what does it really mean? Especially when it comes to teenagers? To put it simply, a teen has strong mental health when they are feeling good MOST of the time and when they have off moments and days they have the tools to get back on track. These tools can be internal (such as positive self-talk, the ability to recognize sensations, etc..) and external (reaching out to a friend, connecting with a parent, exercise, etc..) 

Mental health is a cornerstone of your child’s overall well-being, influencing their emotional, social, and academic life. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, is crucial for timely support. These conditions can significantly impact your child’s emotional well-being, leading to challenges in their social relationships and academic performance.

Our therapists at CTC help treat these challenges,  offering tailored strategies to help your child navigate their struggles and finally find solutions that work. Family therapy can also be an effective way to address mental health issues that affect the entire family, fostering a supportive environment for healing. By being vigilant about warning signs like changes in eating habits, mood swings, or social withdrawal, parents can take early action to support their child’s mental health and ensure they receive the care they need.

Common Challenges Teens Face

Adolescence is a time when resilience to everyday stressors naturally decreases, but this isn’t always a bad thing! While it decreases in some areas due to rapidly shifting hormones, demanding social expectations and academic pressure, it increases in other areas! Working with an adolescent therapist is an effective strategy to build resilience during this developmental period. Therapy can widen frustration tolerance, build self-esteem, and healthy relationship skills. 

Typical Teenage Behaviors

• Peer pressure and the desire to fit in

• Mood swings tied to developmental changes

• Academic challenges and balancing responsibilities, including academic stress

• Testing limits or experimenting with independence

  
  

When to Be Concerned

Certain behaviors may indicate your teen is facing more than the usual growing pains. Pay close attention to signs like these: 

• Avoiding friends or family, isolating more than usual

• Rapid weight changes or unhealthy eating habits

• Trouble focusing or keeping up in school

• Constant sadness, frequent tearfulness, or low self-worth

• Evidence of self-harm, unsafe behavior, or substance use

• Significant behavior changes, such as becoming more defiant or secretive, may indicate deeper issues. 

  
  

Our therapists are trained to look at the root cause of why a teenager is having (or avoiding) a behavior. If you notice these patterns or something just doesn’t feel right, it may be a sign that your child is struggling and seeking professional input can provide clarity and direction. 

Understanding What’s Beneath the Surface

Noticing these signs can feel overwhelming but they’re also a powerful clue that something deeper may be going on inside your teen. That’s where science can help. By understanding how the brain and body respond to stress, we can approach these behaviors with clarity and compassion.

Let’s take a look at how the nervous system plays a key role in your teen’s emotions and actions—and how therapy can support their healing from the inside out.

Signs Your Teen Might Need Therapy

Here are some specific indicators that therapy could help your teenager.

1. Behavioral Changes

• Becoming defiant, secretive, or unpredictable. For some teens, these changes may be related to conditions like autism spectrum disorder, which can impact social interactions and behavior. For others, these behaviors are a very normal part of adolescence and are simply indicating signs of stress. 

• Breaking rules repeatedly or engaging in risky behavior

• Sudden outbursts of anger or frustration

  
  

2. Intense Emotional Reactions

• Consistent mood swings that disrupt daily life

• Loss of energy or interest in activities they used to enjoy

• Difficulty managing emotions in a healthy way

3. Social Struggles

• Withdrawal from peers or refusing to participate in social settings

• Problems forming or maintaining friendships

• Avoidance of any interaction that seems overwhelming

4. Academic Problems

• Declining grades or skipping school altogether

• Struggling with learning disorders, which can affect concentration and academic performance

• Trouble concentrating or organizing tasks

• Procrastination or extreme worry about school performance

The Importance of Early Action

Early intervention is key when it comes to addressing mental health issues in children and teenagers. The sooner your child receives professional help, the better their chances of developing effective coping strategies and building self-confidence. Mental health care can significantly improve your child’s emotional regulation, helping them manage their feelings in healthier ways.

Seeking professional help early can prevent the escalation of mental health issues, such as substance abuse, eating disorder behavior, or suicidal thoughts, and promote an inner sense of confidence. Your child’s doctor or pediatrician can be an invaluable resource in identifying mental health issues and referring you to local resources, such as therapists or support groups. By taking early action, you can ensure your child receives the support they need to overcome mental health challenges and thrive. 

The Science of Support: How Polyvagal Theory Fits into Teen Therapy

At Child Therapy Center LA, we use science to guide the way we work. One framework we rely on is the Polyvagal Theory, which explains how the nervous system influences how teens feel and behave.The nervous system operates in three key states: 

1. Calm and Connected (Safe State)When teens feel safe, their nervous system supports emotional balance, learning, and building relationships.

2. Fight or Flight (Alert State)When teens feel stressed or threatened, their nervous system triggers a reaction to protect them. This might look like irritability, anxiety, or restlessness.

3. Freeze or Shutdown (Overwhelmed State)If stress continues without relief, the nervous system can cause withdrawal or emotional numbness. Teens in this state may seem disengaged or unmotivated.

   
   

Why Does This Matter?

Understanding these states gives us tools to address the root cause of behavior instead of just focusing on the symptoms. When we recognize a teen is in high alert or shutdown, we can work on regulating their nervous system. For parents and therapists, this means:

• Helping teens feel physically and emotionally safe through connection and trust.

• Using techniques like breathing exercises or mindfulness to calm the body and brain.

• Engaging in creative outlets like art or music to process complex emotions and memories.

• Encouraging movement-based activities like stretching, yoga, or play to reset the nervous system.

  
  

For example, if a teen is withdrawing from social situations, this might signal an overwhelmed nervous system. Instead of focusing only on their social skills, therapy can build their sense of safety and emotional regulation first. Science gives us a lens to view behaviors with understanding and compassion, providing practical ways to help teens feel more balanced and capable.

Finding the Right Support

Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. Each teen is unique, and their care should reflect that. At Child Therapy Center LA, we use approaches based on how teens actually respond best and we find many of our teen clients benefit the most from creative and body-focused therapist instead of only traditional talk therapy. We deeply care about therapy working and your family experiencing results! 

What Therapy Can Offer Teens

• Therapy offers a welcoming space to express feelings without fear of judgment

• Tools to handle intense emotions, learn new skills, and calm their minds

• Improved communication and social skills

• Strategies for managing stress and building confidence

Types of Therapy to Consider

• Individual Therapy: Helps teens explore personal struggles with a therapist.

• Group Therapy: Connects teens with others facing similar challenges.

• Family Therapy: Strengthens family communication and understanding.

• Creative Therapy: Uses art, music, or play to promote healing.

Finding the Right Therapist

It’s important to find a therapist who is the best fit for your teen. You’ll know it’s a right fit when your teen looks forward to going to therapy and begins to experience mini wins throughout the month! Here are some tips for finding the right therapist:

• Ask for recommendations from friends, family, or healthcare professionals.

• Research different therapists online and read reviews from their clients.

• Schedule an initial consultation to get a sense of their approach and see if it feels like a match.

• Ensure the therapist has is a licensed therapist with experience in adolescent mental health.

Overcoming Barriers to Help

Many teens face barriers when seeking help for mental health issues, including stigma, fear, or lack of access to resources. However, with the right support and encouragement, these barriers can be overcome. As a parent, you play a vital role in creating a safe space for your child to open up about their mental health struggles. 

By being aware of the signs and symptoms of mental health issues, such as significant weight loss, difficulty concentrating, or sudden isolation, you can take proactive steps to support your child’s mental health.

Researching therapists, understanding different therapeutic approaches like dialectical behavior therapy or play therapy, and finding local resources can also help your family overcome barriers to seeking help. If you believe your teen could benefit from professional support, your efforts can make a significant difference in their journey to well-being.

Creating a Supportive Environment

Creating a supportive environment is essential for promoting your child’s mental health and well-being. Start by being attuned to your child’s emotional needs, validating their feelings, and offering consistent emotional support. By fostering open communication, you can help your child feel comfortable discussing their mental health struggles. 

Encouraging healthy habits, such as regular exercise, balanced eating, and sufficient sleep, can also promote your child’s mental health. Additionally, seeking professional help, such as family therapy or individual therapy, can address mental health issues that affect the entire family. By working together with mental health professionals, you can help your child develop the skills and strategies needed to manage mental health challenges and lead a healthy lifestyle that lasts.

Talking to Your Teen About Therapy

It can feel tricky to bring up therapy, especially if your teen is hesitant! Here’s how to make the conversation easier.

• Start with Understanding. Begin by acknowledging what you’ve observed. For example, “I’ve noticed you’ve been feeling stressed, and I wonder if we can find some tools to help.”

• Explain Therapy Clearly. Say something simple like, “Therapy is a space where you can share how you feel and learn new ways to handle challenges.”

• Normalize It. Mention how common therapy is. A lot of teens (and parents!) use therapy to feel better and grow.

• Give Them Some Control. Teens value independence. Offer to involve them in picking a therapist or exploring what type of therapy they’d prefer.

• Consider using motivational interviewing techniques to engage your teen in the conversation about therapy. Forcing your teen to go to therapy isn’t effective and might backfire. Instead, you can ask them a question that leads to their internal motivation to see a therapist such as, “What would it be like for you to take a test without experiencing any anxiety?”

Your Teen’s Well-Being Matters 

Parenting a teenager is no small feat. But by recognizing the signs and knowing when to seek professional help, you’re showing your teen that their challenges deserve attention and care. Therapy can open the door to healing—not just for your teen, but for your entire family.

Remember, you’re not alone. If you’re unsure about next steps, start by reaching out to a therapist for an initial consultation. Every step forward counts, and we’re here to support you as you help your teen thrive.

Take the First Step Toward Your Teen's Well-Being

At Child Therapy Center LA, we’re ready to provide a safe and creative space where your teen can feel seen, supported, and empowered. Contact us to learn more about our science-backed approaches and how we can help.