Teens
The teenage years are full of changes. Between friendships, shifting relationships, school pressures, big emotions, and the growing desire for independence, it’s normal for teens to experience challenges as they navigate who they are, what’s important to them, and where they fit in.
At Relational Creatures, we offer a supportive, judgment-free space where pre-teens aged 9-12 can express themselves, build confidence, and develop healthy ways to navigate life’s ups and downs. We specialize in helping teenage clients experiencing anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, loneliness, low self-esteem, self-harm, and more.
When should you consider therapy for your teen?
Some teens may be open to the idea of (or even start the conversation around) therapy, while others may feel hesitant or unsure about getting started. As a parent, it can be difficult to know when your teen may benefit from additional support. Recognizing signs that your teen may be struggling can help you determine when therapy might be helpful. Some signs to look for include:
They seem to be depressed: Depression can emerge during adolescence and may present as persistent sadness, irritability, or withdrawal from friends and family. It can also affect self-esteem, school performance, and motivation. In more serious cases, depression may involve self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
They are experiencing anxiety or excessive stress: Adolescence can bring increased pressure related to school, friendships, and family expectations. When anxiety becomes overwhelming, it may interfere with daily activities, sleep, or social relationships.
They are struggling with friendships or bullying: Peer relationships play an important role in a teenager’s emotional well-being. Bullying, social exclusion, and ongoing friendship conflicts can contribute to low self-esteem, anxiety, and feelings of isolation.
They have problems with anger or emotional regulation: Difficulty managing strong emotions can lead to frequent arguments, impulsive decisions, or conflict at home and school. Some teens may direct their frustration toward others, while others may turn their distress inward.
They are acting much differently than usual: Significant changes in your teen’s mood, behavior, sleep, or social habits may indicate that they are struggling with their mental health or coping with a difficult experience. Some teens may openly express their feelings, while others become withdrawn or reluctant to talk.
Changes in school performance or motivation: A noticeable drop in grades, difficulty concentrating, or a loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed may indicate that your teen is experiencing emotional or mental health challenges.
Teenagers typically participate in a more traditional therapy format, where they can build coping skills, manage stress, and strengthen self-esteem. Sessions will be tailored to your teen’s individual needs, with a focus on understanding and managing their symptoms. If immediate concerns or crisis situations arise, these will be prioritized to help ensure your teen’s safety and well-being.
Sessions are adapted to the client’s age, personality, interests, and comfort level. Depending on their needs, sessions may include conversation, creative activities, practical exercises, and opportunities to explore real-world situations.
We welcome parents to join the first session to ask questions, share any concerns, and collaborate on goals for therapy. After the initial session, therapy will primarily focus on individual sessions with your teen, with opportunities for family members to join when the client feels comfortable and would find it helpful.
Parental consent is an important part of treatment. Your child has a right to confidentiality, and teenagers may naturally be more protective over their privacy. That said, you, your teen, and their therapist will collaborate to decide what kind of information will be shared, ensuring you remain informed and involved in your child’s progress while respecting their need for privacy.
Benefits of Therapy for Teens
At Relational Creatures, we offer a supportive and non-judgmental environment for teens to receive guidance and coping skills to navigate these challenging years. Together, we can help your teen to:
Build confidence and self-esteem: Therapy can help teens recognize their strengths, challenge negative self-talk, and develop a healthier sense of self. As they become more confident, they may feel better equipped to handle challenges and advocate for their needs.
Understand and manage emotions: Adolescence can bring intense emotions that may feel difficult to understand or control. Therapy provides a space for teens to explore their feelings, recognize emotional triggers, and develop healthy ways to cope with distress.
Navigate friendships, relationships, and social challenges: Peer relationships can have a significant impact on a teen’s emotional well-being. Therapy can help teens navigate friendship conflicts, establish healthy boundaries, and build stronger, more supportive relationships.
Explore identity, independence, and self-discovery: Adolescence is a time of exploring personal values, identity, and growing independence. Therapy offers a supportive space for teens to better understand themselves, work through uncertainty, and develop confidence in who they are.
What to expect from your teen’s therapy sessions
Teen therapy at Relational Creatures
Beginning therapy with Relational Creatures Psychotherapy is easy and requires no referral. You can book a complimentary consultation call for your teenager here.
Your teen’s initial session will be 75-90 minutes long. During this first appointment, the therapist will meet with you and your teen for a quick introduction. After this, the therapist will meet with your teen one-on-one (if they want you to stay, that works too). During their first appointment, their therapist will ask questions to better understand them and their areas of struggle. This is known as an initial assessment. The assessment phase of our work can last anywhere from 1-3 appointments. The assessment is critical, as it helps the therapist understand the client’s goals and develop a treatment plan to support them in achieving their goals.
After the assessment is complete, treatment begins!
In the treatment phase, the client will be introduced to a variety of skills to practice and implement to better manage their symptoms. Most people will have a therapy session every 1-2 weeks, and we recommend this cadence for optimal treatment.
Effective therapy typically takes somewhere between six to twelve appointments (for some more, others less).
Many choose to continue therapy once formal treatment is complete. This is referred to as maintenance. People who do this typically have an appointment once every 6-8 weeks. This is not a requirement and is a matter of personal choice.
Your pre-teen’s first appointment will be 75-90 minutes long. Subsequent appointments are generally 1 hour or 45 minutes.
Teen Therapy in Marlton, NJ and Online
We offer therapy for teens, both in-person and online.
In-person sessions available at our offices located in Marlton, NJ. Our offices are easily accessible to many towns in Burlington County and Camden County, including: Marlton, Evesham, Mount Laurel, Medford, Moorestown, Voorhees, Cherry Hill, and Haddonfield.
Our offices are easily accessible with free parking. There are several steps to enter the office - if you require wheelchair accessibility, please let us know prior to your first session, and we will work with you to accommodate.
Online/virtual counseling sessions are scheduled and held through SimplePractice, our secured, HIPAA compliant EHR software. Many of our clients prefer online/virtual therapy for the privacy and flexibility it affords. You can join sessions from the privacy of your home or office, at a convenient time in your day. However, virtual sessions may not be appropriate for everyone. You can discuss this with us during a consultation call.
Online counseling sessions are not recorded and no replay will be available.
The price for a session is the same whether you book your counseling session in-person or online.
