Teen Depression

Teen DepressionAn estimated 4.4% of children and teens in the United States experience depression according to the CDC. The support of a mental health professional can be very beneficial for teens experiencing depression and their families. At Garrett Counseling, we have therapists trained to treat teen depression at our locations throughout Alabama, including Albertville, Huntsville, Jacksonville, and Jasper.

What Does Depression Look Like In Teens?

Every teen will likely experience occasional, temporary changes in mood. However, when those changes persist for 2 or more weeks, it is a good idea to seek input from a healthcare professional.

Common symptoms of teen depression include:

  • Increased Crying Spells
  • Sleeping/Eating More or Less
  • Weight Gain or Loss
  • Irritability / Anger
  • Isolation
  • Decrease in Communication
  • Avoidance

Our team wrote an article about how depression affects teens. You can find that article here.

Treating Depression In Teens

The support of a therapist can help teens learn coping skills and healthy thought patterns. Exact treatment methods are personalized to each client, but common methods include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy benefits teens by helping them develop more productive thoughts.
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: DBT is a blend of therapeutic methods that helps teens regulate their emotions and build healthy coping skills.
  • Motivational Interviewing: It is not uncommon for teens who are experiencing depression to lack the motivation to complete tasks or make changes, this is where motivational interviewing can be especially helpful.
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR): EMDR is a unique therapeutic method that can be beneficial especially for teens who have a difficult time talking in detail about their experiences.
  • Play Therapy: Play Therapy encourages communication from teens by allowing them to utilize creativity.
  • Client Centered Play Therapy: Client Centered Play Therapy works to create a safe space for teens to express what they are experiencing.
  • Sandplay Therapy (All counselors at Garrett Counseling are trained at Level Two Sandtray for working with children): Sandplay Therapy allows teens to communicate primarily through the use of a sandtray and toy figures.

autplay logoAs an AutPlay Certified provider, our team is specially equipped to treat depression in neurodivergent teens. Our team also has extensive ongoing education in the area of ADHD. This speciality has allowed our team to provide extensive assessments of ADHD in children and adults.

Get Started Today

If you are looking for support for your teen experiencing depression, our team has online and in-person options throughout Alabama. Contact us today at (256) 239-5662 for more information.

Additional Resources From Our Team