Individual counseling is when a teen meets with a counselor one on one. This can be face-to-face or virtually and usually lasts 45-50 minutes. A counselor will ask the teen questions about his or her friendships, daily schedule, goals, and hobbies.
Next, that counselor may explore topics that relate to why the teenager is pursuing counseling. It could be that the family has recently moved, the parents have gone through a divorce, or the teen struggles with social anxiety or some other mental health condition. It’s the counselor’s job to ask questions in a way that invites teens to share.
All information shared in counseling sessions is kept confidential unless a counselor sees a serious risk of the teen harming himself or another person.
Group counseling is where teens attend a counseling-style session among a group of other teens. In this type of teen counseling, the group takes turns listening as peers share how they are coping with different problems. It benefits teens who need additional practice in conflict management and social settings. Another form of group therapy for teens is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
CBT is a form of therapy where people learn how to reframe their thoughts and see problems from a different perspective. Group therapy can be particularly helpful to teens who need to practice and talk through how to view their problems healthily. Learning from their peers and the counselor can bring a great deal of hope and encouragement to a teen who is suffering.
Family counseling is counseling for teens whose problems are also impacting the family. In this type of counseling, the family—both parents—will often attend with the teenager. At some point in the family counseling journey, siblings may also join for a few sessions.
The benefit of family counseling is that a teen can view his or her challenges within the framework of an entire family network. Where teens may have missed that they are cared about and loved, family therapy can open dialogue and healthy communication so that it’s easier for the teen to feel supported.
