Teen Counseling

Teen Therapists Chicago

Did you know that 1 in 5 adolescents meet diagnostic criteria for a mental health disorder and suicide is the third leading cause of death in teenagers?

Why are mental health issues so prevalent in Teens?

​Adolescent brains, specifically their pre-frontal cortexes, are still developing, making teens extra vulnerable to impulsive & maladaptive behaviors. This is because they struggle with understanding long-term consequences of their current actions

​Social media – teens of today are able to remain connected to their peers 24/7. This opens the door to constant comparisons to the unrealistic “highlight reels” of their peers’ lives often fueling low self-esteem, depression and body image issues. Social media is also a platform for bullying (cyberbullying)

​Technology – which can lead to increased social withdrawal, commonly seen in teens struggling with online gaming addictions

​Peer pressure and increased access to substances, Bullying, Increasingly competitive academic environments

High family conflict, inconsistent parenting or poor emotional validation from parents – leading teens to feel misunderstood and hopeless (To note: parents are rarely the sole cause of a teen’s mental health disorder, but emotional invalidation and lack of presence by parents can sometimes further fuel the disorder or hinder recovery. On the other hand, parents can be key assets in their child’s recovery too.)

​Puberty, hormonal changes & unhealthy body image expectations portrayed by the media, Abuse & associated shame, Poor coping skills Lack of structure OR over-commitment