Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

7,163 people sought teen counseling help in Massachusetts in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a teen counseling can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 36 therapists in Massachusetts available for an online or in-person session.
Heather Sousa

Hear from Heather Sousa, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

View Heather Sousa's profile

What is your go-to approach for teen counseling?

My go-to approach for helping people in teen counseling is talk therapy using cognitive behavioral therapy-based strategies and interventions. I often find the best benefit in CBT because it is a simple way to encourage teens to learn how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected, as well as how these things affect them and others in the teen's life.

What tools do you teach in teen counseling?

I teach the following tools in teen counseling:

  • Mindfulness tools: To learn effective ways to relax the mind and body and relieve stress/anxiety.
  • Cognitive strategies such as reframing and/or restructuring: To manage rumination, anxious thoughts, hyperfixation, and/or intrusive thoughts.
  • Emotional communication: Using “I” statements that allow the teen to appropriately and effectively express their feelings in a way that allows others to better understand what kind of support the teen may need at a given time.

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in teen counseling?

I know a client is making meaningful progress in teen counseling by looking at a few different things:

  • Nonverbal communication: Changes in intonation, eye contact, or other nonverbal communication between sessions.
  • Self-report scales: Use of evidence-based assessments, self-harm assessments, and suicide rating scales during treatment reviews.
  • Thinking: Changes in thinking, such as more positive, constructive thoughts, fewer negative thoughts, and more realistic thinking.
  • Mood: A noticeable increase in mood or decrease in depressive symptoms.
  • Reactions to stress: Improvements in how the teen reacts to stress.
  • Problem-solving: Signs that the teen is able to independently problem solve.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement teen counseling?

Clients can supplement their time in teen counseling by completing tasks assigned outside of sessions for skills practice. Mood and behavior-tracking and/or journaling are also excellent supplements to therapy, as these activities encourage the teen to monitor their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and gain insight into their own self as an individual as well as as a member of a family/group.

What should someone do to prepare for starting teen counseling?

To prepare for their first teen counseling session, a teen can think about what they want to gain from therapy and jot it down! They can also jot down any questions they may have about the therapeutic process.

Starting Teen counseling

What is teen counseling?

Teen counseling helps young individuals better understand and manage the challenges that affect their mental health. Common challenges amongst teens include anxiety, depression, ADHD, and problematic relationships with food.

How does teen counseling work?

Teen counseling works by using multiple techniques, tailored to fit the teen’s unique needs — based on their age group, their challenges, and the severity of their challenges. It might involve cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, art therapy, and others for varying ages. In any case, Thriveworks teen therapists in Westborough have the expertise and experience to help young individuals at their level.

Does my teen need therapy?

Signs that teens might need Teen counseling can be very subjective, as they are experiencing many changes and can have intense reactions to them. As parents, you know your child best and are best equipped to judge whether certain reactions are standard behaviors for your teen or whether they might be hinting at a larger problem. Even so, there are a few common signs and events that often point to a need for therapy, such as experiencing divorce or loss, grief, consistent low moods, teens distancing themselves and becoming isolated, losing interest in hobbies, excessive anger or irritability, substance use issues, and suicidal ideation, among others.

Is teen counseling conducted in person or online?

Teen counseling providers at Thriveworks in Westborough, MA offer both in person and online therapy by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does teen counseling last?

The length of teen counseling depends on your teen’s needs as well as the goals that you and their therapist might have for them. Generally, teen counseling sessions will last for several months.

Need more help deciding?

Teen Counseling – Counselors, Coaches and Therapists in Westborough

There are lots of things to worry about for our children. As they grow up, the saying goes, “Bigger kids, bigger problems.” We worry about their health, their friends, their future, and their emotional well-being. If any of these are not going well, all we want is to fix it as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, some things take work and time to improve. We also need some help as parents. Thriveworks Counseling in Westborough teen counselors can be that helping hand. Reach out for support.

Common Challenges for Teens

Teenagers face many potential problems as they progress towards adulthood. Peer pressure, body image issues, addictions, uncertainties about the future; the list goes on and on. Even if your teen is not facing a serious problem like drugs or alcohol, it can be helpful to have a trusted person to talk to and discuss the issues of adolescence.

Scheduling Teen Counseling at Thriveworks Westborough

At Thriveworks in Westborough, we have counselors that are trained in many different areas. Some of our therapists have been published in leading news outlets and academic journals. Look no further. Thriveworks in Westborough is the right choice. We offer evening and weekend sessions, and we often have appointments available the same week as scheduling for new clients.

Call us today, let’s get to work.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Westborough therapists and counselors accept 29 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Colorado | GHI BMP

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Compsych

  • Fallon Health

  • First Health Network

  • Harvard Pilgrim

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Self-pay costs at Westborough
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.8 Thriveworks Westborough reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Hello all, I just want to tell everyone at thriveworks in Westboro mass office and future customers that I have had the pleasure of a 5 star counselor in donna hayes. Donna helped me when I was at the lowest point in my life. A law enforcement life, with lots of issues. She has helped me immensely. God bless you donna. Hopefully I will see you in fall when I return home. Thanks for your help and sorry for quitting exit today on my last appointment. Best regards always. Brian
Read more Hello all, I just want to tell everyone at thriveworks in Westboro mass office and future customers that I have had the pleasure of a 5 star counselor in donna hayes. Donna helped me when I was at the lowest point in my life. A law enforcement life, with lots of issues. She has helped me immensely. God bless you donna. Hopefully I will see you in fall when I return home. Thanks for your help and sorry for quitting exit today on my last appointment. Best regards always. Brian
Westborough Apr 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I’ve had a wonderful experience. The staff is punctual and kind.
Westborough Jan 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Thriveworks has been wonderful so far. My therapist is very supportive and communicative. The appointment reminders are very helpful, too.
Read more Thriveworks has been wonderful so far. My therapist is very supportive and communicative. The appointment reminders are very helpful, too.
Westborough Jan 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I love my therapist and feel better about my life knowing that I have guidance and direction in my life
Read more I love my therapist and feel better about my life knowing that I have guidance and direction in my life
Westborough Jan 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
My therapist is thoughtful, compassionate, incisive in a good way, understands complex trauma, and is full of good humor.
Read more My therapist is thoughtful, compassionate, incisive in a good way, understands complex trauma, and is full of good humor.
Westborough Aug 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
For a first visit, this place set a very good example for what is ahead. Attentive, note-taking, observant I am pleased with the initial visit.
Read more For a first visit, this place set a very good example for what is ahead. Attentive, note-taking, observant I am pleased with the initial visit.
Westborough Jun 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Just met Greg today so far everything went well.
Westborough Apr 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Good chat with Stephanie
Westborough Apr 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Westborough is located at 5 E Main St Suite 3, Westborough, MA 01581, in the same building as Berkshire Bank.

Phone number

(774) 252-7733

Languages spoken by MA providers

  • English
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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