Our counselors offer counseling for teens in Colorado Springs, CO

My go-to approach for teen counseling is to go at the client's pace. There is always room for growth and progress toward goals, and first I prioritize the therapeutic relationship. Therapy is a place an adolescent does not have to function under their role as student, daughter or son, athlete, significant other, etc., but can simply come as they are with what they have. I largely utilize CBT, DBT, and narrative therapy in my work with adolescents. The focus of these modalities is to learn the connection between thoughts/feelings/behaviors, interpersonal effectiveness and mindfulness tools, and to rewrite narratives about the life the client may be telling themselves to life into something more helpful.

Although this list is not exhaustive, some tools I teach in teen counseling include:

• Relationship safety - Recognizing red and green flags in various relationships
• Harm reduction - Education on ways to reduce harm or safely engage in behaviors that would otherwise have unwanted consequences
• Academic and career counseling - Guidance on steps toward adulthood
• Emotional regulation
• Self-esteem building

I know a client is making meaningful progress in teen counseling when they are able to report improved outcomes in various areas of life (home, school, friends, etc), and when their support systems affirm these improvements. Sometimes teen therapy is about “planting seeds” of growth — some of which will bloom during therapy, and others that may take more time to sprout.

In their personal time, clients can supplement their time in teen counseling by engaging in resources, relationships, and environments that more closely match the positive changes they would like to make. Parents and caregivers can support their teens by helping them get involved in activities of interest, opening dialogue for communication, and maintaining a commitment to staying curious about their teen and their potential.

To prepare for their first teen counseling session, a teen can rest assured knowing that there is nothing they need to do besides show up. If they would like, they can make a mental note of two things that they would like to see change or be different in their life.