Teen Counseling in Seattle

Get Help from Private Licensed Mental Health Counselors

The teenage years can be really hard and full of things that feel uncomfortable or tricky to talk about with parents, or even close friends. Issues that can arise in teen counseling include depression, anxiety, feelings of social isolation, sexual identity questions, substance use, low self-esteem, and school related stress, like test anxiety. These may not be issues that teens feel comfortable addressing with a parent, friend, or teacher. This is when a trained Adolescent therapist can help. At Anchor Light Therapy Collective we have skilled clinicians who take the time to connect.

Common issues for teens and young adults

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Social Issues
• Panic attacks
• Perfectionism
• Bullying
• Emotion regulation
• Impulse control
• Anger
• Family relationships
• Family estrangement
• Peer relationships
• Isolation & loneliness
• Self-esteem & confidence
• Body image
• Behavior Problems
• Gifted/highly capable issues
• Learning Differences
• ADHD
• College admissions
• Suicidal thoughts
• Substance Abuse
• Divorce
• Sexuality
• Gender Questioning
• Trauma
• Grief
• Adjustment to life changes

• Parentification trauma

What Will Counseling Improve?

Teenagers face a common set of challenges. Changing family dynamics. Finding their place in the world. Setting space to themselves. Online pressure and keeping up with social expectations. Anxiety disorders and performance standards. We know how to get through to teens to help with academic stress and testing, family counseling, and more.

• Increased self-esteem
• Mastery of emotions
• Better understanding of self
• Better grades
• Improved executive functioning
• Improved social skills
• Improved sense of wellbeing
• Help with goal setting
• Improved relationships

Types of Counseling We Offer Teens

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

CBT is a form of therapy that can be used for people of all ages, especially adolescents and teens. CBT focuses on how your thoughts affect your emotions and behavior. This type of therapy usually involves an agreed-upon goal and a set number of sessions. The therapist will help teens learn to identify negative thought patterns and replace them with more productive ones.

If teens are dealing with impulsive behaviors, the therapist may help them to slow down and identify the thoughts and feelings that lead up to those behaviors, and help them to find another alternative. Through role-playing and other methods, teens can practice different ways of handling stressful situations. The therapist will often send clients home with tasks to complete between sessions, to help them get closer to achieving their goals.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

DBT is an evidence-based treatment used to help clients self-soothe and manage their distress. This is ideal for teens and adolescents when they are feeling big emotions and having trouble processing those feelings or expressing them to others. DBT utilizes individual therapy, client skills training, and parent coaching so parents can support emotional growth in their teens and their family unit. Skills coaching by phone is also available to help teens and their families.

How do you know if DBT is the right fit for your teen? Like cognitive behavioral therapy, DBT also teaches that thoughts, feelings, and emotions are connected. A teen who experiences intense “sticky” thinking, extreme feelings, and “acting out” behaviors, or who is described as “overly sensitive,” or “reactive,” could be a great candidate for DBT treatment.

The goals of DBT are emotion regulation, mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance. Through patience and practice, your teen will be equipped with valuable life skills for emotional regulation that can then be used when emotions run high. If you feel like you’re walking on eggshells around your child, now may be the ideal time to consider DBT for your family.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

ACT is a form of psychotherapy that encourages clients to accept the things that they can’t control in life, examine their core values, and embrace psychological flexibility in daily life. Psychological flexibility is the ability to be present in the moment, to open up to experiences, and to do what matters for your worldview. These are skills that can set teens up for success and happiness in life.

Seattle Teen Therapists

FAQs

How do I know if my teenager needs therapy?

If your teen is dealing with any of the concerns listed above, experiencing children’s issues, or you’ve been experiencing parenting issues, he or she can absolutely benefit from therapy.  If there are pressing concerns that are impacting daily function at home, school, or work, we urge you to consider bringing up the topic of therapy with your teen as a potential solution.

Can a 13 year old go to therapy?

Yes, a thirteen year old can go to therapy and see benefits from the therapeutic process.  In fact, in Washington State a thirteen year old can seek out their own counselor without a parent’s permission. We treat children and adults of all ages for various concerns through the use of talk therapy.

How do I get my teenager to see a therapist?

This is where patience and understanding come into play.  Some teens are happy to come into therapy and to have someone to talk to in a confidential way as they work through their concerns. 

If your teen is more resistant to the thought of therapy, it may be more practical for one or both parents or guardians to consider coming in for sessions that can include talk therapy and psychoeducation to assist them in improving daily interactions with their teen and deepening their connections as a family unit.