Supporting Your Teen: When and How to Seek Professional Mental Health Help 

Written by the CultivaTeen Roots Team

9 minute read 

Parenting teenagers can be a confusing and challenging time. Navigating the challenges of raising teens while supporting their emotional growth can feel like solving the world's most complicated Rubik’s cube. As teens grow, they experience emotional highs and lows while navigating academic pressures, peer relationships, and identity formation. While mood swings and periods of stress are normal, sometimes a teen’s behavior signals deeper issues that might require professional support. As teen mental health providers, we often have confused parents reach out and ask for support on how to even begin the process of finding a therapist for their teen. Knowing when and how to seek professional help can feel overwhelming, but understanding the signs and what to look for in a therapist can make a significant difference in your teen’s mental health journey.

At CultivaTeen Roots, we’re dedicated to equipping parents and caregivers with the tools and information they need to support their teens. Here’s a guide to help you determine if your teen needs professional mental health support, what types of therapists are available, and how to find the right one.

Signs Your Teen Might Need Professional Mental Health Support

Teens often go through emotional changes, but some signs may indicate the need for professional intervention. Here are key behaviors and symptoms to watch for:

1. Your teen directly expresses a desire to meet with a therapist: Some teens are amazing self-advocates. If your teen shares they need someone to talk to, help connect them with a mental health professional.  
2. Persistent Sadness or Hopelessness: If your teen seems down for weeks or months and can’t seem to shake off negative feelings, it may signal depression.
3. Changes in Sleep Patterns: Insomnia, sleeping too much, or frequent nightmares can point to underlying mental health issues.
4. Significant Changes in Eating Habits: Noticeable weight loss, weight gain, or disordered eating behaviors may indicate anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions.
5. Withdrawal from Friends and Family: Teens may seek more independence, but complete withdrawal from loved ones is concerning.
6. Decline in Academic Performance: A sudden drop in grades or lack of interest in schoolwork may suggest your teen is struggling emotionally.
7. Self-Harm or Risky Behavior: Cutting, burning, or engaging in dangerous activities like substance abuse should not be ignored.
8. Excessive Worry or Fear: If your teen experiences ongoing anxiety that interferes with daily life, professional support may help.
9. Sudden Mood Swings or Explosive Anger: Intense mood changes that disrupt family life could be a sign of an underlying mental health condition.

If you observe any of these signs, it may be time to consult a mental health professional.

Types of Therapists for Teenagers

There are many different types of mental health professionals and it can be confusing to navigate which license type provides what kind of service. Understanding the different types of mental health professionals can help you choose the right fit for your teen’s needs:

1. Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs): Masters-level therapists who work with individuals (children, teens, and adults) and families, addressing relational, communication, and mental health challenges. MFTs are most common on the West Coast. Caitlin- one of the CultivaTeen Roots founders- is an MFT! 
2. Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs): Masters-level counselors who specialize in addressing emotional and behavioral challenges through talk therapy. 
3. Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs): Masters-level counselors who focus on mental health challenges and can connect families to additional resources. LCSW are more common on the East Coast.
4. Psychologists (Ph.D. or Psy.D.): Doctorate-level professionals who provide therapy and psychological testing for more complex mental health concerns.
5. Psychiatrists (M.D. or D.O.): Medical doctors who can diagnose and prescribe medication for mental health conditions. They often work in tandem with therapists.

When searching for a therapist, consider what type of support your teen needs and whether the professional has experience working with teenagers. All of these professionals are board-certified and have extensive education in supporting teenagers. What is most important is finding the right fit and less about the license title. MFTs, LPCs, and LCSWs can have very similar training and backgrounds. 

How to Find the Right Therapist

Start with Your Insurance Provider:

• In-Network: Contact your insurance company for a list of mental health providers covered under your plan. This ensures that therapy sessions are partially or fully covered based on your insurance policy. You can always provide this list to your child’s school counselor to see if they are familiar with any of the providers in your network. It can be very time-consuming going through the list and making calls. Be persistent though. Helping connect your kid to a solid therapist is important work. 
• Out-of-Network: If a therapist isn’t in your network, you may have to pay out-of-pocket. However, some insurance plans offer partial reimbursement for out-of-network providers.

Tip: Ask your insurance company if they reimburse for out-of-network mental health services. If they do, inquire about the percentage covered and any limitations, as well as what you will need to have the therapist provide on a super-bill (discussed later in this article).

Online Directories and Resources:

• Psychology Today (psychologytoday.com): Offers a comprehensive directory where you can filter by location, specialty, and insurance.
• Therapy for Black Girls (therapyforblackgirls.com): A resource for finding culturally competent therapists.
• SAMHSA’s Treatment Locator (findtreatment.samhsa.gov): A government resource for finding mental health services.

Recommendations from Trusted Sources:

• Ask your child’s pediatrician, school counselor, or friends for referrals.

Initial Consultation:

• Many therapists offer a free consultation to see if they’re a good fit for your teen. Take advantage of this to gauge comfort and compatibility.

Understanding Payment and Reimbursement

Out-of-Network Reimbursement

If you choose an out-of-network therapist, here’s how to handle reimbursement:

1. Obtain a Superbill (Monthly Receipt): This is a detailed receipt that outlines the services provided, the therapist’s credentials, and billing codes. Make sure to connect with your insurance to ask them what they will need on the superbill and provide that information to the therapist.
2. Submit the Superbill: Send this receipt to your insurance company to request reimbursement. Be sure to check with your insurer on specific submission guidelines.
3. Follow-Up: Insurance claims can take time, so stay proactive and follow up on the status of your reimbursement.

Tip: Some therapists provide monthly receipts for multiple sessions, which can simplify the submission process.

Supporting Your Teen Through the Process

Seeking therapy can feel intimidating for teens. Here are ways to support them:

1. Normalize Mental Health: Emphasize the importance of teen mental health and that mental health care is just as important as physical health care. Providing mental health support for teenagers helps them build resilience and thrive.
2. Involve Them in the Decision: Let your teen have a say in choosing their therapist to ensure they feel comfortable. Teens can also benefit from having trial sessions with different therapists to see which one they feel most comfortable with. Finding a good fit can make all the difference in the success of the therapy. 
3. Encourage Open Communication: Reassure your teen that therapy is a safe space to express their thoughts and feelings.
4. Be Patient: Progress can take time. Celebrate small victories and remain supportive.
5. Respect their confidentiality: Therapy is not the space to “fix” your teenager. Therapy is a space for your teen to receive support on their own goals related to their mental health and well-being. 

Conclusion

Recognizing when your teen needs professional mental health help is one of the most important steps you can take as a caregiver. By understanding the signs, knowing the types of therapists available, and navigating insurance options, you can provide the support your teen needs to thrive.

At CultivaTeen Roots, we’re here to help you on this journey. Remember, you’re not alone—there are resources, professionals, and communities ready to support you and your teen every step of the way.