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Adolescent/Teen Counseling

Today’s teenagers are under a great deal of stress and are often silenced by their many social and family pressures. Providing teens with the opportunity to take part in their own counseling allows them to further develop skills which promote independence. Therapy for adolescents and teens can help teens improve their overall functioning at home, school, within the family, and with peers/social environment.

Sentier therapists specialize in working with teens and adolescents on the unique challenges that they face, including but not limited to academic stress, life transitions, gender and sexuality exploration, substance use, and struggles with friendships and relationships. 

We recognize that teenagers are under a lot of stress and that factors such as learning about oneself and social and family pressure can often make it hard to talk about the stressors. At Sentier, we affirm and validate the experiences of teens and adolescents and acknowledge the bravery that it takes to come to therapy. 

Providing teens with the opportunity to take part in their own counseling allows them to further develop skills which promote independence. Having the support of a trained mental health professional for adolescents and teens can help them improve their overall functioning at home, school, within the family, and with peers/social environment. 

Engaging in therapy also helps challenge the stigma around asking for help when it comes to mental health needs. In seeing the value of prioritizing their mental well-being, teens and adolescents can more confidently and successfully navigate their surroundings and the exciting challenges and transitions that come with this phase of life. 

Common reasons adolescents/teens go to counseling:

  • Parents experience teen as being increasingly oppositional and defiant
  • Chemical dependency
  • School failure – drop in grades
  • Isolation
  • Struggles with peer relationships
  • Anxiety
  • Perfectionism
  • Depression
  • Gender role and sexual identity questioning
  • Self-harm behaviors
  • Increased sadness
  • Stress management
  • Social skills
  • Lack of meaningful relationships
  • Trauma
  • Addiction
  • Teen pregnancy
  • Medical/physical illness
  • Parent separation & divorce

Teen Questions

  • To talk about things (friends, LGBTQIA+ stuff, relationships, parents, school, etc.) that are bothering you.
  • To get a (non-related) adult’s perspective on your situation.
  • To work through a problem that you don’t want to talk with parents or friends about.
  • To work through a problem that seems to never go away.
  • To better understand yourself.
  • Your therapist will answer questions you might have about the therapist’s background, education, views as a therapist, etc.
  • Your therapist will ask you a few questions about what brings you to therapy.
  • Your therapist will give you feedback about the few things you shared.
  • You will go home.
  • You (and your parents) will complete the intake paperwork before the session. You will bring this to your intake session.
  • Your therapist will read through what you wrote and will ask a few more questions. The questions will be about your history, your reason for coming to therapy, your development as a child (maybe) and your goals for therapy.
  • After the intake session, you will begin meeting with your therapist for individual sessions.

Whatever you want to talk about!

No. Your therapist will only talk with your parents if you are in danger. Your therapist will discuss the rules about this during your intake session. In therapy, you really do have a private place to discuss whatever is on your mind.

  • It’s really not bad! Therapy can be fun. You will not be forced to talk about things you don’t want to talk about. 
  • You can be in charge of what is discussed in therapy.
  • Your therapist can help you to work better with your parents (if this is one of your goals). Sometimes having a trusted adult work with you and your parents can help you improve your relationship with your parents.  
  • Your therapist will not bite.

Take a look at our therapists on our Meet the Therapists page. You/your teen might be able to get a sense who your teen should see, just by reading about us! If you’re not sure, give us a call, and we’ll help you figure it out.

If you are considering scheduling your teen for therapy at Sentier Psychotherapy, Please email our Client Care Coordinator, Ellie, in order to get your teen started with a therapist: [email protected]

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Sentier Psychotherapy
670 Cleveland Ave S
St Paul, MN 55116
763.913.8261

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