Teens face a lot of pressure in today’s world. The struggle to fit in, and feel ‘normal’ combined with juggling school, sports, relationships, and family can take its toll.
At the core of it all, they want to feel comfortable and happy in their own skin.
As teens try to find their independence and sense of self, it can be hard for them to figure out how their families work. Fights over limits, expectations, and how to talk to each other can make family members feel alone or cause misunderstandings.
As teens change and grow, so do the friends they have. The ups and downs of these relationships can make them feel lonely, confused, or betrayed, especially if they are having trouble with trust, loyalty, or peer pressure.
In today’s digital age, the pressures of social media can amplify feelings of inadequacy, FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), and cyberbullying. The constant comparison and pursuit of validation can erode a teen’s self-esteem and sense of reality.
There are a lot of academic and social pressures at school, like getting good grades and fitting in with different groups. As teens try to meet both outside and self-made expectations, this kind of environment can lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout.
Traumatic events, whether physical, emotional, or psychological, can leave lasting imprints on a teen’s well-being. These experiences can lead to a myriad of emotional responses, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and trust issues, affecting their daily life and future relationships.
At Creative Arts Therapy Source, we believe creative expression goes beyond words and gives teens a place to tell us how they feel, even if they don’t fully understand it.
While art therapy stands as a powerful tool due to its ability to allow teens to express their emotions in creative expression, our approach to teen therapy is multi-faceted. Sessions may include methods such as talk therapy, mindfulness techniques, and psycho-education to help them gain a deeper understanding of what’s going on inside.
This flexible approach makes therapy a personalized path to self-understanding rather than a formula. When teens feel comfortable in a space that matches their pace and preferences, they are more likely to open up, engage, and find well-being and confidence.
In our teen therapy sessions, we take a comprehensive approach, adapting it to best fit your teen’s personality and individual needs. We may incorporate a variety of expressive techniques such as:
Art therapy gives teens a way to express themselves when they can’t find the right words. Teens can explore their complicated feelings and experiences safely by making pictures of how they feel. This medium gives them insights into their mental state, which helps them heal, understand, and communicate better, while also letting them tap into their natural creativity. When we use art therapy in sessions it can include things like:
Sometimes talking through things in a neutral environment is just what your teen needs! Talk therapy gives teens a chance to talk about their thoughts, fears, and goals without fear of judgment or disappointment. In therapy, we help teens work through their problems, teaching them ways to deal with problems and giving them a healthier outlook on life so they can deal with their feelings, get stronger, and learn more about themselves and their relationships by talking about what happened to them.
Mindfulness training gives teens the tools they need to stay in the moment, stay focused, and stay centered in the chaos of life. By using grounding techniques, they learn how to deal with stress, anxiety, and emotional ups and downs. This skill not only helps them control their emotions and understand themselves better, but it also improves their overall health, resilience, and school performance.
Psycho-education gives teens the tools they need to understand their emotional and mental experiences. Once they understand who they are as a person and how their mind, reactions, and emotions operate, it can make it easier for them to make good decisions about their mental health. This proactive approach makes mental health less mysterious, which encourages teens to find healthier ways to deal with problems and notice when they might need more help.
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FOUNDER & ART THERAPIST
LCAT, LPAT, ATR-BC
WE BELIEVE EVERYONE HAS A UNIQUE STORY AND SOMETIMES, WORDS JUST AREN'T ENOUGH TO TELL IT.
At Creative Arts Therapy Source, art isn’t just an activity; it’s a language that allows you to express your deepest emotions, fears, dreams, and hopes. Your artwork becomes a window that offers a comprehensive view into your pain, experiences, and the hopes you have for the future.
We want therapy to be a joyful, enlightening, and playful exploration where you are free to express yourself in a way that feels right to you. Talk therapy, with the support of art therapy, can help you uncover a new perspective.
We want to help you tell your story
Our first step is to meet with your teen so we can truly understand your teen’s struggles, strengths, and personal story.
Together, we’ll tailor a plan with the approach that best resonates with your teen. This is not a one-size-fits-all approach, but a personalized roadmap towards their well-being.
With regular sessions, we use art therapy and other psychotherapy modalities to continuously improve your teen’s well-being, supporting their journey towards lasting change.
Every teen is unique and comes to therapy with different needs. While we can’t guarantee specific results or a set timeline, we do know that with consistency, you may start to see improvements in your teen’s life, such as:
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Our administrative assistant can answer your questions and match you with the best therapist for your needs.
If you have any billing, scheduling or log-in questions or any other inquiry, contact us here.
Helping your teen redraw the boundaries of their world.
Offering in-person therapy on Long Island and online therapy across New York and New Jersey.
