Adolescent Therapy
Supporting Teens Through Life’s Most Transformative Years
Interested in Working with Adolescents at Pillars?
We’re always looking for passionate, skilled clinicians who are dedicated to supporting children, teens, and their families through life’s challenges. If you find meaning in working with younger populations and want to be part of a team that values collaboration, growth, and impact—we’d love to connect with you.
As a clinician in our child and adolescent therapy program, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Focus on developmentally informed care for children, teens, and families
- Work alongside other clinicians who share your passion for youth mental health
- Access mentorship, supervision, and continuing education support
- Contribute to program development and creative interventions
- Grow your clinical skills while making a meaningful difference
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your expertise in working with youth, Pillars is a place where your work is valued and your growth is supported.
✨ [Apply here!]
Adolescence Is Hard. Support Doesn’t Have to Be.
The teenage years are full of rapid changes—physically, emotionally, socially, and neurologically. It’s a time of identity formation, independence, and sometimes, instability. Teens today face more pressure than ever before: academic demands, social media influence, peer comparison, family stress, and global uncertainty.
It’s normal for teens to feel overwhelmed at times. But when those challenges start to affect their mood, behavior, relationships, or functioning, therapy can help. At Pillars of Wellness, we provide specialized individual therapy for adolescents to build emotional resilience, regulate emotions, and develop tools for long-term well-being.
Why Teens Need Support
Talking with a teen isn’t always easy. They may shut down, lash out, or seem impossible to reach—especially when they’re struggling. But the truth is, they often want support; they just may not know how to ask for it. Having access to a trained, neutral, and caring professional can be the difference between barely getting through and truly growing through this life stage.
Therapy offers a judgment-free space where teens can:
- Explore thoughts and emotions safely
- Learn to manage anxiety, stress, or anger
- Improve communication and self-expression
- Build coping skills for school, family, or peer issues
- Strengthen identity and self-worth
- Navigate loss, trauma, or major changes
Parents and caregivers don’t have to carry it all. We’re here to help you and your teen through it—together.
Common Mental Health Concerns in Adolescents
Mental health challenges during adolescence are more common than many realize. Research shows that:
- Anxiety affects about 1 in 3 teens (ages 13–18)
- Depression impacts roughly 13% of teens (ages 12–17)
- ADHD is present in nearly 9% of adolescents
- Eating Disorders affect around 3% of teens
- Sleep deprivation is reported by 70–80% of middle and high schoolers
Other common issues include:
- Identity concerns and self-esteem struggles
- Social isolation and peer conflict
- Risk-taking behaviors or impulsivity
- Emotional dysregulation or mood swings
- Academic stress or school refusal
- Family conflict or divorce-related adjustment
Signs Your Teen May Need Help
If your teen’s behavior has shifted, or you’re noticing any of the following signs, it may be time to connect with a therapist:
- Frequent anger, sadness, or worry
- Withdrawal from family or friends
- Sleep disturbances or appetite changes
- Loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy
- Difficulty concentrating or dropping grades
- Self-harm or talk of self-harm
- Risky behavior (e.g., substance use, aggression)
- Obsessive dieting, bingeing, or overexercising
- Intense grief or prolonged sadness after a loss
- Feeling out of control or hearing voices
Therapy Approaches We Use
Our clinicians are trained in evidence-based interventions tailored for adolescents, including:
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Helps teens build emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal skills.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Teaches teens how to challenge unhelpful thought patterns and build healthier behaviors.
- Trauma-Informed Approaches: For teens impacted by adverse experiences or PTSD symptoms.
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT): Helps teens process trauma by building safety, skills, and connection.
- Trauma Affect Regulation Guide for Education and Therapy (TARGET): Helps teens develop skills for managing reactions to stress more effectively.
- Family Support (if appropriate): With consent, we offer guidance to caregivers on how to best support their teen outside of sessions.
All sessions are one-on-one, private, and paced to meet the needs of the adolescent.
What to Expect
After an initial intake session, we’ll match your teen with a therapist who is a good fit based on their needs and personality. Sessions may be held in-person at one of our Northwest Indiana locations or through secure telehealth.
We respect teens’ confidentiality while keeping parents in the loop on progress and safety—balancing autonomy and family involvement when appropriate.
Therapy Can Be a Turning Point
Seeking therapy is not a sign of failure. It’s a powerful step toward helping your teen gain confidence, stability, and a deeper understanding of themselves—setting the foundation for a healthy future.
Ready to Get Started?
Our team is here to answer your questions and walk you through the intake process. We’re ready when you are.
What kind of counseling is available for adolescents?
– Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
– Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)