Which Counseling Services Support The Most Teens? A Truly Objective Perspective for Parents

I work for Ardent Counseling Center and meet often with parents of teenagers. Daily, I answer the same question:

"What is the best type of counseling for my teenager?" There is no single answer. Each teenager has their own personality. Some may be receptive to therapy right away, while others may require some time to warm up to the process. Some may feel more comfortable communicating with their counselor over the internet, while others will prefer to meet in person. The positive aspect of the expanding number of counseling opportunities for teenagers is to be able to find the right form of support based on their specific needs.

Let me share the most commonly available counseling services for teenagers, what works well, what may not work, and how you can determine which type of counseling will work best for your child.

1. In-Person Counseling: Still the Gold Standard for Many Teens

One of the best ways for most teenagers to get counseling is to seek help from a qualified counselor in person.

A counselor who meets with their client face-to-face builds trust more quickly than other forms of counseling. The client can see and hear what the counselor is doing as well as feel how they feel when they talk about their problems, which helps the client develop a closer relationship with their counselor and trust them with sensitive personal information.

Young people can become very anxious, depressed, suffer from trauma, have low self-esteem, or experience significant life changes. For these same young people, in-person counseling provides them with a greater opportunity to build a connection with a counselor than any other method of counseling.

Our center has seen many young people who initially were unsure about meeting with a counselor in-person, only to have them become more comfortable talking about themselves once they felt safe in a room with a counselor. Many teenagers make significant progress and have made important changes in their lives as a result of beginning with in-person counseling.

The following are characteristics of the types of teenagers for whom in-person counseling is most effective:

• Teenagers with anxiety, depression, or mood swings
• Teenagers who require continuous emotional support
• Teenagers who function best with structure and routine
• Teenagers who find difficulty expressing themselves online

2. Online Counseling Platforms: Helpful for the Right Teen

Teens who use the Internet will find many online therapy options available to them. Many of these platforms include chat and messaging as well as video sessions. Many of these online therapy platforms are not as intimidating as going into an office, allowing users to feel at ease when seeking help. Teens who may be shy or busy with school can benefit from using online counseling platforms, as these options allow them to access services without having to travel to their location. The travel aspect can create stress for many teens. Ultimately, online counseling can also create an environment where teens may feel more open and willing to discuss their problems with a therapist, allowing them to connect more easily to a provider. On the other hand, online counseling may not be a viable solution for everyone due to various factors, including the potential for distractions in the home, limited internet connectivity, and the likelihood of encountering privacy concerns. Ultimately, teens who will benefit from online counseling options are:

• Teens who are comfortable discussing their problems online.
• Teens who have mild to moderate issues.
• Teens who require flexibility in their schedules.
• Teens who live in rural areas where there are few local resources available.

3. School Counseling Services Are an Excellent First Step

School counseling services are available at many schools, making it easy for some families to have their child begin to work with a school counselor. Counselors in the schools help address academic pressure/stress, social issues, issues related to bullying, and emotional problems. Since school counselors usually have many students they work with, their time is limited and does not always allow for in-depth and continuous therapy for students. Although school counseling is beneficial to students, it should typically be accompanied by outside support services for those who may require more intensive treatment. School counseling services are the best option for teens who:

• Need brief (short-term) student guidance.
• Experience stress due to their academic responsibilities and/or school environment.
• Require immediate access to school counseling during school hours.
• Experience stress due to their academic responsibilities and/or school environment.
• Require immediate access to school counseling during school hours.

4. Specialized Counseling Centers: When Deeper Support Is Needed

A counseling centre may be a more appropriate option for your teenager if they require specialized support than a traditional counselling service. If your teenager has an ongoing daily struggle with anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma or has trouble regulating their emotions, a centre specializing in young people may provide them with the necessary resources to be successful. Young people are placed on individual care plans based on their unique needs by behavioural health specialists who are experienced with the adolescent age group and know how to connect with young people at their level. Young people can be incredibly resilient and often possess an uncanny ability to bounce back from even the most traumatic life experiences, so long as they have supportive adults in their lives who take time to listen to their pain. Best suited for teenagers that require:

• Long-term support from a professional
• Treatment for complex mental and emotional health concerns
• Have not shown signs of improvement with general counseling services

5. Choosing the Right Platform for Your Teen

If you are unsure, that's completely natural. Here are some typical questions I recommend that parents consider:

• Does my teenager like to speak with others face-to-face or through an online medium
• Are the difficulties they are experiencing mild, or are they impacting their everyday activities?
• Do they prefer to have access to a private therapist, plants for support, or the opportunity to be spontaneous?
• Are their needs being adequately met by the counsellor? And lastly,
• The most essential thing is to listen to your teenager and be aware of their preferences.

Key Takeaways from a Professional Working With Adolescents

Adolescents are faced with immense pressure stemming from their peer group, academic challenges in the classroom, family expectations, and social media. Getting help takes courage, and it doesn't demonstrate weakness. While there is no such thing as the "perfect" platform for counselling adolescents (e.g., in-person vs. virtual), the key point in selecting a platform should be helping your adolescent feel safe, supported, and heard. If you’re not sure what direction to take, talking to someone who works with teens can be an excellent way to start. You do not need to navigate this process by yourself or leave your adolescent with that responsibility alone.