Why is adolescent mental health important?

The lives of today’s teenagers differ significantly from even a generation ago. The ever-growing reach of social media and technology has transformed how teens and children relate to and communicate with each other, how they learn, and the kinds of experiences that are now available to them. These socio-cultural phenomenons have a huge impact on you as a adolescent, and on your parent as a caregiver.

Ten Signs That Your Child Is Struggling With Their Mental Health

• Feeling very sad or withdrawn for more than two weeks

• Seriously trying to harm or kill himself or herself, or making plans to do so

• Disordered eating behaviors (overeating, restrictive eating, calorie counting), binge

  eating with or without purging, or using laxatives to lose weight.

• Having severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships

• Showing drastic changes in behavior or personality

• Experiencing sudden overwhelming fear for no reason, sometimes with a racing heart or fast breathing

• Getting in many fights or wanting to hurt others

• Having intense worries or fears that get in the way of daily activities

• Is confused or struggling with gender identity and sexuality.

A Note to Parents:
Prevalence of Mental Health Issues Amongst Teenagers & Children

Since most teens don’t share their troubling thoughts or struggles with their parents, parents must be made aware of the prevalence of mental health issues amongst teens. And, the long-term consequences of overlooked mental health issues. These facts lend credence to the idea that it is paramount. Therefore, we as parents, stay attuned to the changes that our child may go through, and not overlook sensed cues of distress.

• About 1 in 5 teens between ages 13 and 18 experience a severe mental disorder

• Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for people age 10-14, 2nd for those aged 15-24

• Half of all long-term mental illness begins by age 14 (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

Understanding

The Brain & Body Through a Developmental Lens

Typically around age 8 or 9, the onset of puberty occurs when the body secretes more growth hormones, thyroid hormones, cortisol, and several sex hormones. These hormonal shifts lead to physical changes, including weight and muscle gain, skeletal maturity, growth spurts, increased body hair, and sexual capacity. Most people assume that puberty (and its felt awkwardness) is the only thing teens stress over. They often ignore the biggest influencer of mental health and mood which is — the brain.

As a teens body grows, so does their brain. This development occurs in new, and oftentimes confusing ways. In early adolescence, teens see things in a polarized black-or-white way, with their primary focus being on things that are directly before them. In later years, as their brain develops, they can make connections that they were previously unable to. They start to think about the future, and who they wish to become, friends, start to hold more weight in their lives, they start to create their own values, and oftentimes these values are quite different from those of their teachers and parents.

Our brain develops at different rates

Additionally, some parts of the brain often develop faster than others, thus, you may notice that although they begin to think about long-term consequences, they are oftentimes seen making impulsive and conflicting decisions. For eg., your child may place a lot of value in getting a good grade, but at the same time chooses to binge-watch a new Netflix show instead of studying. The variability of this development leads to more future-oriented thinkers such as parents and teachers experiencing frustration with their children, and vice versa.

During a time of such fluctuation, and lack of control, teens may resort to exercising control in aspects of their life in which they are able to do so, such as their eating behaviors. While people with eating disorders focus on food, weight, and shape, there are nearly always underlying issues being masked by the eating disorder that needs to be addressed. Common Eating Disorders in teen years are Anorexia Nervosa (restrictive intake of food), and Bulimia Nervosa (binge-eating and purging).

How To Tell Your Parents That You Want To Go To Therapy

Firstly, know that considering this next step is a valid and brave decision. You are not alone. 20% of teens experience mental health issues that they need support around.

• If you think the topic of teen therapy is completely out of the blue for your parents, begin to lay the groundwork beforehand. Share blogs, and articles, and engage in discussions.

• Write down and read back what you’d like to say to them beforehand.

• Be prepared to hear them say “no”. This in no way is indicative of the validity of your problems, your pain is still real and deserves to be heard.

• Try to find a moment with them that is free of distractions. Let the focus be on this.

• Be honest and open about your feelings.

Our Approach

Meet Our therapists

Central to providing good therapy

Is recognizing the challenges that arise in engagement. Young adults–even when possessing the awareness of their need for help– may want to flee from the idea of therapy if they sense that their teen therapist is attempting to dictate their choices, are easy to judge them, or if they assess that there is no semblance of relatability in the therapeutic relationship. Repose works from a versatile, fresh, and up-to-date approach. We work creatively to explore the best ways to foster a deep relationship with young adults and teens through online therapy that is based on trust, mutual respect, and invites feedback and criticism.

Repose Therapy is committed to

Meeting the unique needs of adolescents, emerging adults, college, graduate, and doctoral students in the USA and abroad. We work directly with colleges and universities throughout the five boroughs of New York and are preferred providers for New York University, Sarah Lawrence College, School of Visual Arts, and the Fashion Institute of Technology.

If you see the benefit of therapy in Connecticut, New Jersey, or New York

Then schedule an exploratory 15-minute consultation with our client concierge here at Repose to see if online therapy for teens is right for you. You will be speaking with our client concierge who can assess your unique situation, give you clarity on what the therapeutic process looks like, and advise on the next steps.

A Note To Children & Parents: Privacy

• 2 key components to seeing therapeutic progress are the therapeutic relationship and feeling safe in the therapeutic space. In order for change to come, and progress to be made, we need to ensure that we allow for a space to be created where your child feels comfortable sharing what is going on with them.

• Our teen therapists will maintain openness with you based on their clinical judgment. In order for you as a parent to see your child grow and heal, it is important for us to create safety in both the aspects of parenting and therapy. Allow your child the space to grow, make mistakes, be vulnerable, and change.

Under 18?

Special Information for Parents of Children Under 18 Years of Age

Timothy’s Law was enacted on January 1 2007 and provides greater mental health parity in insurance coverage for everyone, but especially for kids. Children under 18 years of age in New York State with significant emotional or behavioral issues (eg. ADHD, Oppositional Defiant, Anxiety, or Depressive Disorders) are eligible for the same exact coverage their insurance provides them for their medical benefits. Thus, your fee for seeing a child psychologist should be the same as it is for seeing a dermatologist or any other medical specialty, generally the amount of your co-pay.

Meet Our Team

Trusted & Skilled Therapists

Our team of experts has licensed psychotherapists, trauma therapists, and somatic educators focused on empowering you through mind-body literacy.

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Learn an evidenced-based technique used in EMDR trauma therapy called, “Safe Place”. While being gently led through a simple visualization exercise, we invite you to create an internal emotional sanctuary. This safe, calm place is where you may go to rest, recover from stress, or manage overwhelming emotions.

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