Teenagers face a number of problems – peer pressure, the pressure to succeed and meet the expectations of parents and others, the need to be part of the ‘in’ crowd – the list goes on and on. In many cases, these problems will need to be dealt with through a therapeutic setting with the help of a clinical psychologist or therapist. However, teen therapy can be a delicate matter that should be approached with the utmost care and caution.

If your teenager needs to be in therapy and you raise this issue, chances are you will face opposition and maybe even some level of hostility. Nevertheless, if your teen needs to undergo therapy for some reason, you need to do your best to encourage them to attend therapy sessions. Understandably, teen therapy is not always a welcome idea for teenagers. After all, in a young teenager’s mind, therapy is a source of shame.

Thus, you need to find a way to encourage your teen to come with you to a psychiatrist and undergo a screening. If it is determined that therapy would benefit your child, you should know about the many options available when it comes to therapy strategies, including the following:

Individual therapy – this is best for teens that may not want to talk with their parents or peers but are more comfortable sharing and discussing the problem with one person. For individual therapy, it is very important that the teen is comfortable with the therapist. If your teen is uncomfortable, it is better to find another one.

Group therapy – sociable teens respond well to this type of therapy. This is a great choice for teens that are more comfortable discussing their thoughts and feelings with peers. In a group therapy session, the participants share and discuss their problems, listen and learn from each other and offer advice based on their own personal experiences. A therapist facilitates a group teen therapy session.

Family therapy – for teens dealing with family issues, this method may be the best option. Family therapy can help foster a deeper relationship and better communication among family members. Your teenager may feel safer sharing their problems with you and fellow family members. In a family therapy session, the therapist becomes a neutral third party.

Art and Music Therapies – the arts can be an effective avenue for adolescents to express their thoughts and feelings. This type of therapy is best suited for teens that have difficulty talking about their problems openly. Art therapy can be used to identify and explore issues with the help of a therapist. Music therapy can also be effective in reducing stress.

Sand Tray and Play Therapy

Sandtray is an expressive and dynamic play process that is used by children, adolescents, individual adults, couples, families and groups in the presence of a trained sandtray therapist