It’s hard to stay confident as a parent when your teen is struggling. When they hurt, you hurt. CBT for teenagers helps your young loved one navigate the chaos of their age in a setting that’s warm and confidential, where they may explore the insecurities or difficulties they not discuss elsewhere.
The impact of CBT is strong, but only after your teen feels heard, understood, and important when they come to my office. Under these conditions, teens who initially refuse therapy at all costs tend to get on board.
Seeing your teen struggle is heart-breaking
They’re pulling away. They’re frustrated and irritable. They’re struggling under the weight of depression and anxiety. They may be using substances to cope and don’t let you talk to them about it. They might stop talking altogether, leaving you at a loose end trying to connect with them.
CBT is designed to build skills quickly that last.
You were a teen yourself so you know how hard it can be, but explaining that to them falls on deaf ears. Since it’s tough to ask for help themselves, you want to guide them toward it. CBT is one of the most effective and concrete types of help available. It helps both you and your teen work as partners toward emotional health in a way that is structured, easy to understand, and practical.
You only want the best for them
Imagine they could learn how to be kinder to themselves. To ask for help when they need it. To have a go-to framework for navigating the tough stuff. That’s where CBT comes in.
CBT helps your teen make better choices.
Confidence and self-assuredness are hard to come by in the teen years. CBT can help you and your teen get on the same page, navigating issues like self-doubt, depression, anxiety, self-image, and other common issues without fighting about it.
I’m Denis Barron, your teen’s guide to emotional health
As an experienced CBT therapist I’ve worked with clients of all ages, and have worked with teens since 2006. I know that teens in particular present parents with a huge challenge. Sometimes it feels like you’re not doing enough as a parent because, despite your best efforts, your son or daughter seems impossible to connect with. Family life becomes even harder when you’re trying to care for your own mental health and career at the same time.
Counseling helps you harmonize family life so that all of you get to feel your best.
CBT provides your teen with a proven framework for overcoming their struggles. It’s a safe space for them to talk about anxiety, substances, school, home life, and friends without holding back. They also learn real-life skills and strategies to meet hardship and frustration with resilience and confidence. Best of all, they’ll carry these tools with them into their adult life. Whenever possible I work closely with parents to help bridge gaps to sustain changes into the future. After all, I am but a temporary person in their lives while parents are forever.
I’ve tried everything. How will CBT help my teenager?
Your teen’s behavior is worrying you. It may look like:
Relief from anxiety
Confidence and kinder self-view
Healthy coping skills
Communication and healthy relationships
Peace and stability
What does CBT therapy look like for teens? How will I be involved as a parent?
As a parent, you play a key role in your teen’s life. However, the more you stress over their behavior, the more difficult it becomes to support them effectively.
CBT for teens is for parents too.
Therapy provides your teen with the tools they need to face their challenges. It also helps you as a parent learn how to support them in a way that lets them feel seen and heard. When you start to see things improve for your child, you both will feel relief.
It’s normal to doubt the process before they begin. You may feel apprehensive about therapy yourself. However, the first stop on our journey is creating a welcoming, non-judgmental space that puts all of us at ease. I work with adolescents at their own pace, starting with what matters to them. It’s totally normal for teens to not want to participate in therapy, so I start with what they will be invested in first. We will start with what they feel is important, and then get to what the rest of the world wants for them. Almost always, these things overlap anyway.
CBT is a collaborative process.
It’s not a matter of sitting in a room and just talking about what’s wrong week after week. There is deep respect for all involved, demonstrated through careful and active listening. Your therapist is there to support and encourage your teen’s self-exploration, and application of practical tools and strategies for insight and growth. Every session lets your teen feel like they’ve just done something meaningful.
It’s normal to feel impatient with your teen’s moods and struggles. Sometimes you want them to just snap out of it. The good news is that CBT can lead to noticeable changes in a matter of weeks, especially when family is on board.
CBT shows you how to encourage your teen’s growth and create a supportive home environment.
CBT is structured and goal-oriented, so while your teen might not change overnight, they’ll be making significant steps toward feeling better from their first session.
1 Schedule a consultation
2 Begin Therapy
3 Ongoing Support
4 Ending
We are ready to end once you feel “condent enough” in practicing methods outside of session to reach your goals. You’ve seen measurable progress toward your goals, and things are looking better.
It’s of utmost importance to feel as though you are truly heard and understood before any tools or techniques can be effective.
I welcome folks from all different backgrounds and walks of life and have unconditional positive regard for all clients.
Let’s proceed at a pace you are comfortable with and is effective, while knowing that therapy should not be forever. My hope is for you to learn life long tools that you can apply to whatever challenges life should throw at you.
I draw from theories and techniques that have been studied and demonstrated to be effective in reducing emotional difficulties.
I work to be sure you understand exactly what we are doing in our work together and why, so you can replicate these results on your own. I am but a temporary person on your journey.
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