Psychotherapy Program

Watching your child suffer from mental health and behavioral issues is a painful, frightening, and frustrating process. Sometimes it can be challenging to know what is part of normal teenage behavior and when treatment is needed. If you believe your teen needs professional treatment, trust your instincts and reach out for help. Teen treatment programs provide the treatment and support necessary to help your child overcome their symptoms and learn to manage their mental health for the long term. Further, family therapy helps improve the overall functioning of each family member and the family unit as a whole. 

At Imagine Spokane, we specialize in adolescent mental health treatment for 12-17 year-olds. We offer full-day programs through our partial hospitalization program (PHP) and intensive outpatient program (IOP). We provide substance use disorder (SUD) treatment on a case-by-case basis. To arrange for a comprehensive assessment of your teens’ needs, reach out to our team by calling 888.384.3143. 

The Need for Psychotherapy for Teens

The teen years are a critical time for healthy development. Being a teenager has always been difficult, but today’s teens face many newer challenges and report higher rates of mental health issues than in the past. The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply impacted everyone’s mental health but has been particularly difficult for children and teens. Research indicates that nearly half of all mental health issues begin to develop by age 14. One in three high school students reports symptoms of depression, including sadness and hopelessness

Adolescents experience emotions more intensely than adults and often have more difficulty managing them. Therapy helps teens understand the underlying causes of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and provides the tools needed to help them feel and function better. Through counseling, teens can learn:

• Emotional regulation
• Effective communication skills
• Empathy
• Assertiveness
• Self-awareness
• Self-confidence
• Coping skills

Because their brains are still developing, teenagers are vulnerable to extreme emotions, poor impulse control, and experimentation with drugs and alcohol. Individual and group therapy helps teens live emotionally balanced lives, make better decisions, and recognize that they are not alone. Positive peer support is critical for teenagers. 

Which Teens Can Benefit from Psychotherapy?

Many teens show emotional pain by acting out without fully understanding their thoughts and feelings. Therapy can help teens develop insight and self-awareness. Counseling is not just for teens with diagnosed mental health concerns. All teens can benefit from treatment to navigate these challenging years. Following are some of the typical challenges faced by teenagers:

• Anxiety and depression
• Sexuality and gender identity issues
• Peer pressure and social anxiety
• Bullying and the stress of social media
• Pressure from academics and sports
• Difficulties with homelife
• Significant life changes, including divorce, changing schools, or the death of a friend or loved one

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), early diagnosis and intervention for teenagers with mental health concerns are critical to well-being. 

What Are Mental Health Treatments for Teenagers?

Numerous types of therapy can treat teens with mental health or behavioral issues. At Imagine Spokane, we work with you and your child to perform a comprehensive evaluation that will guide their course of treatment and help determine which approaches are best suited to their unique needs. 

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is regarded as one of the best treatment options for teens with mental health concerns because it is so adaptable and its effectiveness is clinically proven. CBT helps individuals identify their dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors and challenges them to change these. CBT focuses on the present moment rather than the past or future. CBT can help with the treatment of a number of mental health issues, including:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Phobias
• Panic disorders
• Substance use disorders

CBT often involves homework assignments. Its effectiveness relies on your teens’ willingness to participate. Getting parents involved in supporting their teen’s efforts to complete assignments is another critical component in the success of CBT. 

Discover the Benefits of Psychotherapy for Teens in Washington at Imagine Spokane

Imagine Spokane provides quality, consistent care to teens in need in a safe, therapeutic, and non-judgemental environment. A multidisciplinary team of NCQA-credentialed providers leads our day treatment programs for ages 12-17. Day treatment programming includes group therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, school, psychiatric care, nursing care, and case management services. Call us at 888.384.3143 to discover the benefits of psychotherapy for teens.