Does My Child Need Counseling?
Counseling for adolescents and teens is designed to support youth ages 13–18 who are struggling to manage the emotional, social, academic, and behavioral pressures of adolescence.
At Clear Mind Counseling San Diego, we work collaboratively with teens and their families to identify the underlying causes of distress and create a clear, developmentally appropriate plan that helps adolescents regain confidence, stability, and forward momentum.
Our approach is structured, evidence-based, and focused on helping your child reach their full potential.
Experienced Teen Therapists in San Diego
Our therapists have extensive experience working with adolescents, teens, and families. When appropriate, we collaborate with:
School counselors
Pediatricians
Psychiatrists
This coordinated approach allows us to develop a comprehensive plan that supports your child across environments—home, school, and social settings.
We proudly serve families throughout San Diego, including UTC / La Jolla and Mission Valley.
Signs Your Teen May Benefit From Counseling
Adolescent counseling can be helpful when parents notice changes such as:
Increased family or sibling conflict
Communication difficulties
Noticeable shifts in mood or behavior
Changes in hygiene or appearance
Declining school performance or school avoidance
Withdrawal from friends or activities
Loss of interest or motivation
Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
New peer groups that raise concern
Alcohol or substance use
Secretive or avoidant behaviors
Excessive worry or anxiety
Social anxiety or isolation
These signs do not mean something is “wrong” with your child—but they may indicate your teen needs additional support.
Our Areas of Specialization in Teen Therapy
We specialize in helping adolescents and teens with:
Anxiety disorders (including panic attacks, social anxiety, academic anxiety, OCD, and perfectionism)
Eating disorders and body image concerns
Social media and gaming addiction
Substance use issues
School refusal
Gender identity and sexuality exploration
Bullying
Family conflict
This breadth allows us to tailor therapy to your teen’s specific challenges rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Evidence-Based Methods We Use
We use proven therapeutic approaches that are adapted for adolescent development:
Motivational Interviewing
A collaborative, non-confrontational approach that helps teens articulate their thoughts and feelings while reducing defensiveness and resistance to change.
Authentic Rapport and Trust-Building
Establishing trust is essential. Teens are more open and honest when they feel understood and respected.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
We teach age-appropriate skills that help teens understand the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors—leading to improved mood and healthier choices.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
We introduce practical skills for mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Taking the First Step
Deciding to seek counseling for your adolescent or teen is an important and proactive step.
We offer all new families a complimentary 10-minute phone consultation to better understand your child’s needs and determine whether our services are the right fit.
Schedule a free consultation today to get started.
Teen counseling helps adolescents manage emotional, behavioral, and social challenges during critical developmental years. At Clear Mind Counseling San Diego, our therapists work with teens ages 13–18 to address concerns such as anxiety, depression, school stress, family conflict, and emotional regulation using evidence-based, developmentally appropriate therapy. The questions below address common concerns parents have when considering counseling for their teen.
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Teen counseling may be helpful when you notice ongoing changes in your child’s mood, behavior, sleep, appetite, school performance, social engagement, or family relationships. Common concerns include anxiety, depression, withdrawal, irritability, school refusal, substance use, or stress that interferes with daily functioning.
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Our adolescent and teen counseling services are typically for youth ages 13 to 18. If you are unsure whether your child is a fit for this service, a brief consultation can help determine the best next step.
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Teen therapy can support concerns such as anxiety (including social or academic anxiety), depression, OCD and perfectionism, trauma, eating and body image concerns, bullying, school refusal, family conflict, and challenges related to identity development.
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We use evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, and Motivational Interviewing. Treatment is tailored to your teen’s developmental stage and specific goals.
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Parent involvement varies based on your teen’s age and needs. Many families benefit from periodic parent check-ins or family sessions to support communication and progress at home.
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Teen therapy is generally confidential to help adolescents feel safe and open during sessions. Therapists clearly explain confidentiality boundaries to both parents and teens, including situations involving safety concerns.
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The length of counseling depends on your teen’s goals, the severity and duration of concerns, and consistency of attendance. Some issues improve with short-term, skills-focused therapy, while others benefit from longer-term support.
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Item descriptionWhen appropriate and with consent, we may collaborate with school counselors, pediatricians, or psychiatrists to support a coordinated treatment plan across environments.
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Yes. We offer a complimentary 10-minute phone consultation to better understand your concerns and determine the best next steps for teen or adolescent therapy.
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The first session focuses on understanding your teen’s concerns, gathering relevant background, and beginning to establish therapy goals. The therapist will also explain how sessions are structured and how parents may be involved.
Last Updated: December 2025