Teen Therapy

Becoming a teenager can come with all sorts of different thoughts and feelings; both positive and negative. On the one hand, you’ve slowly gotten more and more independence from your parents (which is great) but on the other, you still need to listen to all of their rules (not always so great).

On top of the ever-changing relationship you have with your parents, you also have to keep up with school (which is no joke; like New Trier, Deerfield, GBN, GBS, HP and Stevenson) start to figure out who you are in this world, and make major life decisions like what do you do after you are done with high school, etc. All of these things can come at a cost to your mental health. Nowadays teens have more responsibilities and less time to be themselves, not to mention sleep! No wonder you may start to feel overwhelmed, stressed, and/or anxious. If you feel this way or are just feeling plain old out of sorts, you’re not alone; contact us for teen counseling in Chicago, IL today.

Are you feeling…?

Photo of a teen next to a high rise building in Chicago. Photo is kind of dark representing the mental health challenges teenagers can face.

  • Disconnected from your parents;

  • Not confident in yourself;

  • Worried and anxious when going to school;

  • Sad and not like yourself;

  • Overwhelmed by friend drama;

  • Like there is too much pressure on you;

  • Overloaded with activities and school;

  • Lonely and like you don’t fit in;

  • Like you are questioning your gender or sexual identity?

If any of these statements speak to you or your teen, then teen therapy in Northbrook, Il may be a good option to help you figure out how to feel more like yourself.

Let’s be honest: It’s difficult to be a teenager.

Recent research shows that teens are more depressed than ever before. Rightfully so, things are constantly changing in your life. Your parents or other adults may still treat you like a ten-year-old or think of you the way you were a few years ago. But you’re not a child anymore. You have your thoughts, feelings, values, and needs. And you’re navigating all of this change with things constantly going wrong at school, home, with your friends, and within the world around you.

Teen Therapy in Northbrook, IL Can Help

The good news is that counseling can help. It may be hard to believe right now, but things CAN get better. Whether you’re dealing with normal teen stress or struggling with anxiety, depression, feeling stuck in the past, or the pressure of growing up: our teen therapists get it and are here to help. And we offer this support in an LGBTQIA+ affirming way.

Our therapists work with teenagers every single day. We know you and your struggles are unique. But we have also heard enough stories that very little you say will surprise us. That makes the therapy room a safe space. And you need a safe space to talk to an adult who “gets” it. Through therapy, you’ll have a space to process your stress, gain insight into your own mental health, explore who you are as an individual, and learn coping skills to help with anxiety/depression/stress.

Let’s talk. Click on the button below to schedule an appointment.

What does Teen counseling look like?

You will meet with your therapist one-on-one. You will talk about whatever is on your mind. You’re welcome to share anything, everything, or very little; our counselors won’t judge you or be shocked. Everything you say is 100% confidential (with some minor exceptions-your therapist for teens will let you know on the first day). You can expect to be asked what you want to work on, or if you have an idea of what has been bothering you. Once you and your therapist have a plan you will meet regularly to work towards your goal. You may start to feel less anxious, more in control of your thoughts, and notice improvements in your relationships.

A section for parents: What to expect When Your Teen Comes to therapy

Photo of a teenager taking a test representing the pressure that is put on teens. Our teen therapists help with anxiety, depression & more in the Chicago area.

You want your child to be successful and happy. But you’re concerned about their mental health right now. At Obsidian Counseling & Wellness, our teen therapists understand having a teen struggle with their mental health impacts everyone in the family. Maybe your teen’s grades are dropping, they seem withdrawn or they’ve started cutting. Whatever the issue, your teen’s mental health certainly impacts you as a parent. And, it is no small feat to find a counselor for your teen.

You are looking for a Therapist for teens you can trust.

And, you want counseling to be a place for your teen to be able to speak their mind and work on themselves. Our teen therapists understand and want to help. Furthermore, our teen therapists understand it can feel like a big leap of faith to send your teen to a counselor when you don’t know what they are talking about during their sessions. But we seek to make the teen counseling experience as comfortable as possible both for your teenager and for you as a parent.

Tips for Parents of Teens Starting Therapy

It’s also challenging when you know your teen would benefit from therapy but they aren’t 100% onboard yet. Here are some suggestions from mental health professionals about things you can do as a parent to help ease your and your teen’s transition:

  • Counseling is much more effective when the teen wants to go and feels comfortable with the clinician

  • Show your teen different providers so they can feel they are in charge of who they speak to

  • Allow your teen privacy in counseling so they feel comfortable sharing whatever they need to with the therapist

  • Go to counseling yourself for parenting to help process how you feel and how to best help your teen

Once you have transitioned your teen to counseling, you can expect the teen to make changes in their lives. Those changes may be small, or very large; they can also be soon after starting counseling or it may take a while for you to see meaningful change.

The beauty of counseling teens in Chicago, IL is it is at their pace and they get to decide what they want to work on. So, sit back and watch your teen grow!

A group of teenagers walking toward the light outside representing well adjusted teenagers who have worked with teen therapists to improve their mental health.

Begin teen therapy in Northbrook, IL today

If you are ready to begin feeling better then therapists at our therapy practice based in Chicago, IL will help you move towards your goal. Because we offer in person and online teen counseling, we’re able to work with teens from all over the Chicago area including Winnetka, Wilmette, Northbrook, Glencoe & sometimes even in other parts of the state. Our teen therapists will do everything in our power to help your teen get as much as possible from counseling and to make the process of starting teen counseling as easy on both of you as possible.

So, what’s holding you back? Fill out the form below to get started.

Other Services at Obsidian Counseling and Wellness

When you work with a therapist at our counseling practice in the Northbrook, IL area, you will be met with compassion and authenticity. The therapists at Obsidian Counseling & Wellness feels honored to help guide folks along their healing process. Specifically, our therapists help both teens and adults who are struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, and work stress. Additionally, we value the unique experiences of highly sensitive people and are happy to help them find balance in their lives. Our therapists are also proud to offer LGBTQIA+ therapy for folx navigating their identities and the implications of those. We hope that you take the leap to begin your healing journey with our team of specialized therapists.