When Will I See Progress in My Teen’s Therapy

You may be a parent wondering, when will I see progress in my teen’s therapy? Perhaps you and your family are new to the teen therapy process. This is your teen’s first time working with a therapist, as well as yours. Therapy can feel un-farmiliar or uncertain, leading you to question the effectiveness of the process. 

 

The truth is, therapy takes time to create real change. Let’s say your teen has been working for a therapist for one month – and you’re not seeing changes in your teen’s behaviors. However, your teen and therapist have only met for 4 hours out of the whole month. That’s not a lot of time to make progress.

 

It can be difficult leaning into trust and curiosity when your teen is in therapy. It’s understandable that therapy can stir up a mixture of feelings, including anxiety, doubt, frustration, or excitement. Understanding a reasonable timeline and what needs to be taken into consideration can help shape your expectations. 

 

Teen therapy in Simi Valley, Ca is held in-person or virtually with flexible availability. Consider reading our blog on Healthy Parenting Approaches for Teens!

 

Common reasons why teens start therapy 

There are many common reasons why teens start therapy. Some teens are open to speaking to a therapist, while others are closed off. It’s okay that your teen is feeling resistant, or even hesitant, to opening up. It can feel like an intimidating process at face value. I have to talk about uncomfortable topics to a stranger? However, when it’s the right fit, your teen will feel a sense of relief. 

 

Your teen may be starting therapy due to struggling with:

 

• Depression, such as self-harming, having thoughts of suicide, or feeling worthless.
• Anxiety, such as experiencing panic attacks or obsessive thinking.
• Trauma, such as experiencing abuse in childhood or witnessing something traumatic.
• Substance use, such as using drugs or alcohol.
• Life transitions, such as starting a new school or moving somewhere new.
• Relationships, such as blended families, family conflict, friendships and more.
• School, such as attendance or performance. There may also be issues with concentration, focus, perfectionism, and more.

 

Teenage years can be difficult to navigate. There are various pressures, stressors, and valid reasons to be struggling. When parents are aware and involved, it can help them tremendously!

 

Early intervention is key when it comes to mental health support for your teenager. Some parents may feel weary of the process. There may be worries around how you’re viewed as a parent, when you feel that you’re doing the best you can. Or, you’re not sure how engaged your teen will even be in the process. Is my teen just being dramatic and angsty?

 

Early intervention has proven to be effective for treating mental health concerns. Taking mental health seriously is important. You can help prevent further complications, such as suicide or drug addiction. Talking about mental health and feelings is healthy for everyone. Read more at: The Benefits of Counseling and Therapy for Teens.

 

Rapport building stage with the therapist 

The rapport building stage between your teen and their therapist is essential to the therapeutic process and relationship. When building rapport, the therapist focuses on establishing trust, safety, comfort, and more. They want to create an environment where your teen feels safe expressing themselves. 

 

This looks like giving your teen space to share their interests, hobbies, or activities. Perhaps they’ll divulge information about their relationships, family, and more. They may indicate awareness of their current struggles, and aim to create goals. However, this varies per teen. 

 

When your teen is ready to discuss uncomfortable or distressing topics, it’s important that they feel comfortable to. They want to know they trust their therapist, and can feel confident talking about anything. This rapport building stage can take weeks, even months, to build up. Or, if your teen is ready to go – they may dive in during that first session.

 

In the case that your teen does not want to do therapy, consider reading our blog: My Teen Doesn’t Want Therapy, What Do I Do? Our therapists in Simi Valley are experienced and passionate about working with teens.

 

Understanding what progress can look like

It’s understandable that you may have different goals for your teen’s therapy than they do. For example, you want your relationship to improve with your teen. You experience frequent disagreements, feel unaware of what they’re going through, and more. You’re hoping that teen therapy can help mend and strengthen your relationship with your teen. 

 

However, your teen may be utilizing therapy to address other issues going on in their lives. This could look like issues within social dynamics, pressure from school, and more. They may want to develop greater insight into their feelings and behaviors, and learn how to navigate them. 

 

Both of these goals can be achieved through a team effort. Recognizing small wins for your teen can be positively impactful, and create room for more change. Your teen may still struggle being fully open or transparent with you about their struggles. However, there is an increased ability to label their feelings and express their needs from you. 

 

It can take time for the benefits of therapy to show up in everyday life. The therapist is not telling your teen what decisions to make or how to feel about things. They’re helping your teen draw their own conclusions, reflect on their thoughts, and act in ways they believe are right. 

 

You’re wanting to see progress made towards the goals you want for your teen. When you don’t see changes right away, it can feel like the therapy is ineffective. It’s common that there is a point where you may wonder if it’s worth it to keep your teen in therapy. 

 

This is a valid reaction to have when your teen is in therapy. It’s important to note that your teen is the main client in therapy. While it’s good for you to give insight or share concerns with the therapist, they are focused on your teen’s needs. Starting your own individual therapy while your teen is in their own therapy provides everyone with their own support system.

 

It’s understandable that you may want to jump into family therapy, instead of individual therapy or teen therapy first. Connect with a therapist in Simi Valley to understand what therapy is the right fit for everyone’s needs. Consider reading our blog on What Parents Can Expect for Teen Therapy for more information.

 

Therapy isn’t an overnight transformation – it takes a team effort

While your teen is in therapy, your teen’s therapist will likely confer with you on a regular basis. They’ll want to understand how things are going at home, and if you have any concerns. With that, they may also share insight into your teen’s progress. 

 

Let’s say, for example, that your teen is struggling with emotional regulation. Whether it be quick to frustration or anger, or quick to overthinking and panicking. Emotions can get intense at the slightest trigger, and they need support in regulating themselves. You can play a crucial role in supporting them through this!

 

Your teen’s therapist will likely inquire about what steps you can take as parents to support them. This looks like past or present methods, and ideas for the future. If the norm in the past has been engaging in back and forth arguments, discussing alternative communication may be needed. Perhaps they’ll offer tools for your own regulation, so that you can be a calm anchor for your teen. 

 

Navigating difficult and heavy emotions can be challenging for teens. It’s understandable that it can also be challenging for parents. 

 

When parents are aware and participating in supporting, it can help a teen’s progress a lot. This could look like respecting or creating boundaries, exploring appropriate consequences, and compromising at times. How you’re feeling with the process matters, and your teen’s therapist is still there to provide occasional support.

 

Consider reading our blog on How to Be an Emotionally Supportive Parent. We often need to learn more about our teen’s needs, and see where we can meet them. This can help strengthen and repair your relationship with them. By working with a teen therapist in Simi Valley, you all can learn and maintain coping tools to use in times of stress.

 

It’s important to be open minded to what progress can look like in teen therapy. You have goals for your teen, and they have goals for themselves. By taking the first step to connecting them to support, that’s already a step in the right direction. 

 

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.