While group therapy can be an incredible tool for forming interpersonal connections to overcome struggles, we understand that it has its limitations. For instance, teens may not feel comfortable opening up to their peers about certain topics. A body of peers may not have the life experience or professional advice a licensed therapist does. Each shortcoming of group therapy can be resolved by supplementing an individual therapy program—one which allows for deeper introspection and a more controlled environment. 
At Imagine Spokane, we use individual therapy to effectively treat and address the underlying causes of trauma and stress. The objective of our treatment programs for teens, above all else, is to build relationships and form trust. Only in a program built on mutual understanding can teens effectively communicate their struggles. Don’t wait another day; call 888.384.3143 today to learn how combining individual and group therapy programs can lead to a healthier mental state.
In What Ways Does the Individual Therapy Program for Teens Excel?
Individual therapy uses a combination of different therapy techniques to achieve personal growth, but which techniques are selected comes down to how our patients and therapists adapt to each situation. Some strategies will work better for different patients depending on a number of reasons, whether that’s down to personal learning strengths or situational effectiveness.
At the core of the program, however, we employ cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as a cornerstone technique for almost all branches of individual therapy. CBT addresses problems by identifying the cause-and-effect relationship between outward behavior and inner processes, such as:
- Trauma, which can be responsible for aversions to certain people, places, or things in ways that aren’t obvious
- Environmental factors, such as where a patient lives, works, or attends school, can contribute negatively to mental health or stability
- Self-destructive thoughts or behavior, which often disrupt or undo the progress that a patient might make during therapy
- Low self-awareness, which might make introspective analysis unintuitive or impossible without redress
- Low self-esteem, which reduces the value an individual puts on their own life, can be extremely detrimental to personal health
Individual therapy can be highly beneficial to teens in crisis or struggling with mental health disorders and addiction.
How to Determine if Individual Therapy Services Are Right For Your Teen
It’s possible that teens will have trouble opening up to a therapist during the first batch of sessions. It takes time for many adolescents, who may feel for any number of reasons that conceding their weaknesses or fears may come back to bite, to confide in a therapist. A skilled adolescent specialist will remain elastic, receptive, and patient. Time isn’t the only factor, either—a deal of effort on the teenager is required for therapy to meaningfully progress.
To prepare your teen for therapy, you may want to brief them in a way that demonstrates the options available rather than pressuring them with the stakes, dire as they may be. Ultimately, forcing a teen to go to therapy won’t be good for much past getting them in the door.
Find Teen Individual Therapy at Imagine Spokane
Therapy is, across the board, beneficial for those with behavioral, psychological, or substance abuse problems. That said, not all therapies are the same, nor are the patients. Choosing the correct one is subject to a great deal of variability. At Imagine Spokane, we believe the combination of group and individual therapy works to create a program that’s greater than the sum of its parts. When adolescents are paired with a professional who truly understands the kind of work they do, it can be the foundation for a life of growth and upward trajectory. To find out how our individual therapy program can help your teen’s situational needs, contact us online or by calling 888.384.3143 today.