Teens With Social Anxiety
Social anxiety typically starts between the ages of 13-17. At this stage of life, nothing matters more than the perception of our peers. Add on top of that the increasing use of social media, and it is no wonder why their has been a significant increase in social anxiety over the past decade or so.
If your teen is struggling, you may have noticed it. They may have become withdrawn, avoid seemingly fun social events and are constantly seeking reassurance and approval. You might have tried talking to them, encouraging them, or giving advice, but nothing seems to stick. Social anxiety can feel very embarrassing for teens and they are unlikely to talk about it openly, so trust me you are not doing anything wrong.
What It Looks Like
Anxiety in teens doesn’t always look obvious however, and you may miss some things. Here are some other signs and symptoms you teen may be dealing with:
Cancelling plans last minute
Not wanting to do things that seem fun
Seeking reassurance/validation
Anger/irritability
Easily embarrassed
Frequently sick especially stomach, especially with stomach issues
Skipping school/poor participation
Grades dropping
Not involved in any after school activities
Frequent isolation
Seeming “spaced out” due to constant rumination and worry
Your teen may have some of these or show other signs entirely because everyone manages their social anxiety uniquely. It’s important to keep in mind that because of how overwhelming social anxiety can be, it will often impact their school work. This is not due to laziness or a lack of trying, they may be so overwhelmed that they cannot focus on anything else.
There’s nothing “wrong” with your teen. Anxiety makes sense. Teens today are navigating constant social comparison, pressure to perform socially and academically, and fear of judgment in a hyper-visible world. The goal isn’t to “fix” your teen. It’s to help them understand what’s happening and learn how to respond to it in a healthier way so they can find the true version of themselves underneath the anxiety.
How I Work
My first goal is to figure out where you teen is at. Everyone is at a different starting point, and I make sure to tailor my treatment to what your teen is ready for. There is no “throwing them into the fire.” I take a slow, gradual approach to learning about their fears and how we can begin to confront them.
At this age teens are easily influence by peers and often lose a sense of self because of this. I will work with your teen to help them discover what they actually gravitate towards, so they can build inner confidence that will help them connect with peers who share similar interests and values. Please check out more about my approach in the My Philosophy Page.
I believe it is equally important to work with you, the parents, to help support and guide your teen during this challenging phase in life. While most sessions will be individual with only your child, we will have semi-frequent checkins to ensure needs are being met your concerns are addressed. I think it is just as important that the expectations we set in therapy are followed through at home so your teen can feel supported across the board. That being said, their confidentiality is of upmost importance to me, and I will not divulge any information that is not absolutely necessary.
Free Consultation
If you are interested in learning more about what I offer, you can schedule your free 15 minute consultation below:
