Teen Therapy: A Circle of Care Approach

Adolescence is a time of rapid change—physically, emotionally, socially, and neurologically. It's a stage filled with growth and exploration, but also uncertainty, pressure, and emotional intensity. When a teen is struggling, therapy can be a vital support. But for therapy to truly be effective, it’s important to approach care from a circle of care perspective—one that includes the teen, their family, and the therapist as collaborative partners (Walsh & McGoldrick, 2019).

What Is the Circle of Care Approach?

The circle of care model views mental health support as a shared responsibility. While therapy is centered on the teen’s individual experience and autonomy, parents and caregivers are also considered essential allies. When teens are supported by both a skilled therapist and engaged caregivers, they are more likely to feel safe, seen, and empowered (Ginsburg et al., 2020).

This approach acknowledges the unique developmental needs of adolescents: the growing desire for independence, identity formation, and the need for privacy—while also recognizing that teens don’t thrive in isolation. They need connection, scaffolding, and trusted adults in their corner.

Balancing Privacy and Parental Involvement

One of the most common questions from parents is: “Will I be included in my teen’s therapy?” The answer is yes—but with care.

Therapy for teens is a delicate balance. For it to be effective, teens must feel a sense of trust and confidentiality in the therapy space. This means they need to know that their therapist won’t automatically share every detail of what they say in session. At the same time, involving parents is crucial—especially when it comes to understanding their teen’s needs, reinforcing skills at home, or navigating safety concerns (Hinshaw & Stier, 2022).

A circle of care approach may include:

• Regular parent check-ins (with the teen’s knowledge and consent)
• Joint sessions to support family communication or problem-solving
• Skill-building support for parents to better understand what their teen needs
• Transparency about confidentiality boundaries, especially around safety

Teens are often more open and responsive when they feel that their autonomy is respected, and that their therapist isn't “reporting back” to parents, but rather working in everyone’s best interest.

The Role of the Parent

Parents play a pivotal role in supporting their teen’s mental health, even when they’re not in the therapy room. You can help by:

• Encouraging your teen’s participation in therapy without pressuring them
• Showing openness and curiosity, not judgment
• Asking how you can support them—rather than assuming you already know
• Being willing to reflect on your own patterns and the family environment
• Staying engaged in the process, even if you’re not always directly involved

Therapy is most effective when parents remain consistent, emotionally available, and willing to grow alongside their teen.

Common Reasons Teens Seek Therapy

Teens may benefit from therapy for a wide range of concerns, including:

• Anxiety, depression, or low self-worth
• School or peer challenges
• Identity development (including neurodivergence, gender, or sexuality)
• Family conflict
• Grief or loss
• Trauma or adverse experiences
• Social media and screen-related stress

Each teen's story is unique, and therapy offers a space where they can be understood on their own terms.

Fial Thoughts

Teen therapy is not just about helping a young person manage symptoms—it’s about building a stronger foundation of self-awareness, resilience, and connection. When parents and therapists work with the teen, rather than around or over them, we foster a system of care that is respectful, empowering, and healing.

A circle of care means that no one is left out—and no one has to carry it alone.

References

Ginsburg, G. S., Becker-Haimes, E. M., Keeton, C. P., Kendall, P. C., Iyengar, S., Sakolsky, D., & Albano, A. M. (2020). Results from the Child/Adolescent Anxiety Multimodal Extended Long-term Study (CAMELS): Primary anxiety outcomes. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 59(4), 548–561.e2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2019.02.015

Walsh, F., & McGoldrick, M. (2019). The expanded family life cycle: Individual, family, and social perspectives (5th ed.). Pearson.

Hinshaw, S. P., & Stier, A. (2022). Mental illness stigma: Theory, developmental issues, and prevention strategies. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 18, 133–158. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-072021-040024