Teen Therapy
Helping teens navigate growing challenges, better understand themselves, and build the skills they need to feel more confident and supported.
SERVING FAMILIES IN CHICAGO AND SURROUNDING AREAS
What is Teen Therapy?
Teen therapy provides a supportive, confidential space for adolescents to explore their emotions, work through challenges, and develop healthy coping skills. Whether they’re navigating anxiety, school stress, friendships, or changes in their sense of identity, therapy can help teens better understand themselves, build confidence, and feel more equipped to manage the ups and downs of growing up.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY TEEN NEEDS THERAPY?
Recognizing the Signs
Watching your teen struggle is one of the hardest parts of parenting. You want to help, but it isn’t always clear whether what you’re seeing is a normal part of growing up or a sign of something more. If any of these feel familiar, it may be time to reach out for support.
Pulling away from family or friends
Some independence is a healthy part of adolescence. But if your teen is spending most of their time alone, skipping activities they used to enjoy with friends, or shutting down whenever you try to connect, they may be carrying something they don’t know how to talk about.
Ongoing sadness or low mood
Everyone has hard days. When sadness, tearfulness, or a flat, “nothing matters” attitude lasts for two weeks or more, it can be a sign of depression. Therapy gives teens a safe place to put words to those feelings and learn ways to feel better.
Constant worry or panic
You might notice frequent stomachaches or headaches, trouble falling asleep, reassurance-seeking, or avoiding situations like tests, social events, or driving. When worry starts making decisions for your teen, therapy can help them build tools to calm their body and mind.
Irritability or angry outbursts
In teens, depression and anxiety often show up as irritability rather than sadness. Snapping over small things, slamming doors, or frequent conflict at home can be a sign your teen is overwhelmed and doesn’t yet have healthier ways to cope.
Changes in sleep or appetite
Sleeping far more or far less than usual, staying up all night, or noticeable changes in eating habits can reflect stress, depression, or anxiety. Shifts like these are worth paying attention to, especially when they come alongside changes in mood.
Slipping grades or avoiding school
A sudden drop in grades, missed assignments, frequent requests to stay home, or trouble concentrating can point to something deeper than motivation. Emotional struggles often surface first at school, where the pressure is highest.
Losing interest in things they loved
When a teen quits a sport, stops making art, or no longer cares about hobbies that used to light them up, it’s worth a closer look. Losing joy in favorite activities is one of the most common early signs of depression.
Harsh self-talk or low self-worth
Comments like “I’m so stupid,” “Nobody likes me,” or “I can’t do anything right” can reveal how your teen sees themselves. Therapy can help them challenge those thoughts and build a kinder, steadier sense of who they are.
Risky behavior or substance use
Experimenting with alcohol or drugs, sneaking out, reckless driving, or unsafe choices online are sometimes a way to escape or numb difficult feelings. A therapist can help your teen understand what’s driving the behavior and find safer ways to cope.
Struggling after a big change
Divorce, a move, a new school, a breakup, or the loss of someone close can shake a teen’s sense of stability. If your teen seems stuck or unlike themselves weeks after a big change, support can help them process it and find their footing again.
Self-harm or talk of hopelessness
Cutting or other self-injury, talking about feeling like a burden, or saying things like “What’s the point?” are signs your teen needs support right away. Stay calm, listen without judgment, and reach out to a mental health professional.
If your teen is in crisis or talking about suicide, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room.
HOW CAN THERAPY HELP TEENAGERS?
Helping Teens Feel Strong Again
At Lake Shore Therapy Group, teen therapy is more than helping adolescents manage emotions—it’s about understanding the whole person and supporting their growth through one of life’s most pivotal stages. Our concierge-style approach makes getting started simple: we handle insurance, scheduling, and billing in-house so you can focus on your teen’s well-being. With highly trained therapists who combine expertise with genuine warmth, sessions are designed to help teens feel safe, understood, and empowered to make positive changes. From the very first appointment, you’ll know your family isn’t navigating this alone—you’ll have a trusted partner helping your teen build confidence, resilience, and emotional balance.
What we’ll work on in therapy:
- Managing anxiety and stress from school, friendships, or family pressure
- Building confidence and self-esteem during times of change
- Improving communication with parents, teachers, and peers
- Navigating identity, relationships, and boundaries with support
- Developing healthy coping skills for emotions and daily challenges
DOES THERAPY REALLY WORK FOR TEENS?
Research shows that therapy can make a meaningful difference.
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36% vs. 9%
A meta-analysis found that 36% of adolescents receiving psychological therapy for anxiety achieved remission of their primary anxiety disorder, compared with 9% in control groups.
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54% vs. 32%
A review of 40 randomized trials found that 54% of children and adolescents receiving psychotherapy for depression experienced clinically significant improvement, compared with 32% in control groups.
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49.4% vs. 17.8%
A Cochrane review found that 49.4% of children and adolescents receiving CBT for anxiety no longer met diagnostic criteria for their primary anxiety disorder after treatment, compared with 17.8% receiving no treatment or placed on a waiting list.
HOW DOES TEEN THERAPY WORK?
We Make it Simple
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Reach Out
Contact us through our contact form, e-mail, or phone number.
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Get Matched
We’ll pair you with the therapist who best meets your needs.
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Feel Better Again
You’ll feel seen, supported, and guided every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
At Lake Shore Therapy Group, we serve teenagers 12 years and older.
Our team of therapists has expertise in anxiety, depression, life transitions, perinatal mental health, eating disorders, sports performance, and more. Learn more about our services here.
Rather than trying to convince your teen, invite them into the decision. Share what you’ve noticed with care, frame therapy as support rather than a punishment or a sign that something is “wrong” with them, and listen to their concerns without judgment.
Giving your teen some control can make a big difference. Let them help choose their therapist, ask questions before the first session, or agree to try a few sessions before deciding. Many teens feel more open once they realize therapy is a space that’s just for them.
Yes. Confidentiality is a key part of helping teens feel safe enough to open up. There are a few important exceptions: if your teen is at risk of harming themselves or someone else, if there is suspected abuse, or if records are required by law.
Your teen’s therapist will review confidentiality with both of you at the start, so everyone knows what stays private and what may be shared.
We can provide you with detailed information about our fees during an initial consultation. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, United, and Aetna plans. If we’re not in-network with your plan, we can provide a superbill for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Our current out-of-pocket price is $175.
Choose a calm, private moment, not the middle of an argument. Let your teen know what you’ve noticed and that you care, using “I” statements like “I’ve noticed you seem stressed lately, and I want to help.”
Explain that therapy is a place to talk with someone outside the family who is trained to help, and that lots of teens go. Leave room for their questions and feelings, and remind them they’ll have a say in the process.
In general, the details of your teen’s sessions stay between them and their therapist. That privacy is what helps teens build trust and speak openly. Their therapist may share general updates about progress and goals, and will always let you know if there is a safety concern.
Therapists can also help your teen share important things with you in their own words, which often strengthens communication at home.
It depends on what your teen and family are facing. Individual therapy gives your teen a private space to work on personal challenges like anxiety, depression, or self-esteem. Family therapy can help when conflict, communication, or a big change is affecting everyone at home.
Sometimes a combination works best. We’ll talk through your concerns during your initial consultation and help you decide on the right fit.
Yes! We know life can be busy, so we offer flexible scheduling, including evening and some weekend appointments. Availability varies by therapist—our intake coordinator can help you find a time that works best.
Let Us Be the Lighthouse in Your Storm.
Visit:
Northbrook Office: 899 Skokie Blvd, Suite 240, Northbrook, IL 60062
Chicago Office: 307 N Michigan Ave, Suite 412 Chicago, IL, 60601
Reach Out:
Phone: (815)-496-0620
Email: intake@lakeshoretherapygroup.com
