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This blog is on when to start teen counseling in Simi Valley. Lately, something feels different with your teen. They’re changing. Your teen may be going through puberty, facing significant hormonal changes in their body. They may also be entering into a new school and social climate, which can cause stress and self-esteem issues.
You may be having genuine concerns about your teenager. The effects of social media can influence your teen negatively. This includes self-identity, self-image, comparisons to others, and more. There may be concerns around substance use, such as with vaping or smoking weed.
Having a strong connection with your teen is important to you. You want to be a safe space for them to talk openly about their feelings. However, you know that by pairing with them a teen therapist, you both will receive the support you need. Teen therapists in Simi Valley work with the family unit as a whole, while addressing your teen one-on-one.
You’re wondering – when should my kiddo start teen counseling? How do I know that they could benefit from support? What if my teen doesn’t want to do teen therapy? How do I find them a great teen therapist in Simi Valley, CA?
In this blog, we’ll discuss some signs of mental health struggles in teens. Next, we’ll talk about how to talk with your teenager about therapy. Finally, you’ll learn how to find the right teen therapist near Thousand Oaks, Ca.
We have an array of blogs written for parents of teenagers. One blog specifically is “Why is My Teen So Angry?”. Within this blog, you’ll read about potential reasons why your teen struggles with frustration, outbursts, and more.
Signs of mental health struggles in teenagers
There is no one-size-fits-all guide for mental health struggles in teenagers. According to Mental Health America, 50% of individuals who will have a mental health disorder start experiencing symptoms at age 14. For those who will have anxiety disorders, the onset of symptoms can begin at age 6.
Mental health disorders can overlap in having shared symptoms or signs. For example, issues with concentrating can be indicative of different mental health disorders. It’s also possible for individuals to have comorbid mental health disorders. This means that two or more are co-occurring. Therefore, it’s important for a mental health professional to properly diagnose and treat potential disorders.
In teen therapy near Thousand Oaks, your teen will meet with a teen therapist on a weekly basis to begin. This helps our therapist understand symptoms, history, and establish goals with them for therapy. We also provide family counseling in-person in Simi Valley.
Here are some signs of common mental health struggles in teens:
- Issues with concentration, memory, or having “brain fog”.
- Changes in appetite.
- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies they once enjoyed.
- Irritability or restlessness.
- Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless.
- Isolating themselves.
- Engaging in substance use.
- While it is sometimes thought of as solely “experimentation”, there are valid concerns around substance use. This includes the type, the amount, the social influence, and their perception of the substance itself. Substance use can do downhill really hard, and really fast.
- Excessive worry.
Mental Health America also lists out more specific signs to look out for:
- Hearing or seeing things that other people don’t.
- Extreme panic.
- Onset of new behaviors, such as engaging in rituals. This is common in individuals with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).
- Changes in attire – wearing more long or baggy clothing. Individuals who self-harm may wear clothing that clashes with the weather to conceal markings.
What if my teen isn’t showing any of these signs? They appear content, tell me everything is fine, and keep to themselves.
It’s true that teenagers can mask what’s truly going on for them. In fact, teenagers may not have the self awareness or insight that they’re struggling. They may be consumed with stressors, and be stuck in tunnel vision. Stressors such as school, sports, or social life can consume their focus.
Your teen may be high-achieving. They’re excelling in school, getting all A’s with extracurriculars. They may be volunteering, taking college courses, or more. It could be that your teen is a crucial part of their school’s sports team. This doesn’t mean that they aren’t struggling, though.
Talking about therapy with your teenager
The idea of teen counseling can bring up mixed feelings. With social media, it’s becoming increasingly common for teens to self-diagnose their symptoms. Seeing videos of people describing relatable struggles can bring a sense of relief. They have some answers in front of them, and it’s starting to tie it all in together.
An excellent resource for why your teen is self-diagnosing can be found on our blog, Why Is My Teen Self-Diagnosing? While self-diagnosing is not a credible way to diagnose, it can bring a sense of direction to treatment. Your teen may have a greater understanding of what they’re seeking support for. This involves issues around self-esteem, social life, family, and more.
Before starting teen counseling in Simi Valley, you should discuss it with your teen. Understand their willingness to meet with a teen therapist regularly. It’s reasonable that before starting, it sounds like a scary process. Perhaps even uncomfortable and awkward. Or, it feels unnecessary.
Talk about what therapy is like
When talking with your teen, understand their perspective on therapy. What do they know about how therapy works? When they think of a “therapist”, where does their mind go? Do they have any friends in therapy? How do they feel about meeting with someone to talk about their feelings?
You or another family member may already be in therapy. This can greatly help paint a picture of what to realistically expect. Therapists want to ensure their clients feel comfortable being who they are. It’s important that they come into the room, not worrying about judgment or bias.
Consulting directly with the teen therapist is also a great idea. Most therapists will offer a 15-minute phone call prior to scheduling a session. This provides an opportunity to ask any questions about the therapeutic process.
Discuss the benefits of going to therapy
There are several benefits around starting teen therapy. We actually wrote about 3 Benefits of Teen Counseling, which you can find here. Firstly, your teen will have their own, confidential space. They can gain greater awareness of their feelings and behaviors. Finally, they can learn and strengthen coping skills. How can each of these 3 benefits apply to them?
Help address concerns around starting therapy
There may be concerns around attending therapy. It may make them feel that something is wrong with them, or that they’re broken. Your teen may even feel embarrassed around the idea of seeing a therapist. However, when you demonstrate open mindedness, your teen may also be open minded.
Practice active listening with your teen during this dialogue. Remind them that you are there to support them through this process. Show them that you accept them for who they are, right now. It often takes more than just the teen to see progress in teen counseling in Simi Valley.
Finding the right teen therapist in Ventura County or Los Angeles County
Just by doing a quick Google search, you can find teen therapists in nearly every city. Spanning from Ventura to Simi Valley, there are dozens of groups and practitioners. As Los Angeles county covers so much ground, there’s also a wide variety of therapists. How do you narrow down the right fit for your teen?
There are some factors that need to be considered prior to conducting your searches. Therapy is effective with consistency, which involves two main aspects: finances and availability. Next, you also want a therapist that your teen can feel connected to. Let’s break down what to consider to find the right teen therapist.
Finances
Understand whether you’ll be using insurance or not. Therapists may or may not take insurance based on their own reasonings. PPO insurance plans usually reimburse you for paying out of pocket for therapy services. Deciding whether to stay in-network or go out-of-network is a good first step. From there, you’ll want to understand the expected cost of services, such as the session fee.
When working with New Leaf Marriage & Family Therapy, we provide transparent explanations for going out-of-network. Click here to read more about what that entails.
Availability
Therapists typically schedule clients on a recurring day and time. This is to ensure that there is a standing spot for your teen on their schedule. Consider when your teen gets out of school. Are they home-schooled, where they can attend therapy earlier in the day? Or are they getting out in the afternoon?
Consider any extracurricular activities that your teen may be involved in as well. If they are involved in sports practice, they may have regularly scheduled games. Your teen may also be working part-time or volunteering after school. It’s good to find a few different spots throughout the week that can be committed towards attending therapy.
Specialties or Niches
It’s important that your teen is working with a teen therapist that is experienced with their presenting issues. For example, your teen may be questioning their gender identity. Working with an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist matches them with someone who has a deeper understanding of their experience.
Your teen may be neurodivergent, such as having ADHD or Autism. Working with a therapist adept with these populations provides your teen with someone who gets it. Issues such as OCD may be more appropriate with a therapist specializing in OCD treatment.
Furthermore, your teen may not be looking for anyone specific. Therapists have a foundational training and understanding of all mental health disorders. Therefore, matching with someone they can just feel a connection with is the next step.
If you’re looking for therapy near Thousand Oaks, make sure to read through all of our services and amazing clinicians by clicking here.
Rapport and Connection
It can take some time for your teen therapist to develop rapport with your teen. The first few sessions may feel a little awkward, or even overwhelming. Your teen’s therapist is going to aim at getting to know many aspects about them. This includes their interests, hobbies, or activities. They’ll want to know their social circle, family, and more.
Alongside that, they’ll work to understand the presenting mental health issues. They’ll go at your teen’s pace, to ensure they are comfortable when opening up. Issues such as trauma can require more established rapport and safety.
There’s no definitive right time to start teen counseling in Simi Valley. However, early intervention for mental health signs is key! You can be there to support your teen, starting now.
In-person therapy in Simi Valley is ideal for those seeking a separate, safe space from their home. Check out our blog on Online Therapy or In Office Therapy to understand what format is best for you. Another great blog to read is ours on if you need Therapy or Medication to address your issues.
By seeking out support, you can begin your journey to feeling relief. You don’t have to go through finding the right level of support alone, either. By clicking here, you’ll read our blog on Information About Simi Valley Therapists.
Consider calling our therapy group at (805) 774-1506 for a free consultation on how you or a loved one can get started today!
Seek out a validating, safe environment with us today. We will help you get to where you want to be. Our therapists provide trauma therapy, teen therapy, individual adult therapy, LGBTQIA+ therapy, anxiety therapy, depression therapy, family therapy, and more in-office in Simi Valley, CA.