Is Therapy Cool Now?

Twenty years ago, I looked over the desk at the school receptionist as my mother explained my lateness: "She had a doctor's appointment."

"Actually, I had counseling!" I chimed in.

"We call that 'a doctor's appointment,' Sweetie."

It wasn't too long before I learned that therapy might not be something to talk about out loud. My Monday night group therapy sessions were "meetings"; a teacher encouraged me not to disclose to others the special services I received at school (because I was bullied and didn't seem to follow or recognize social norms quickly). Yet, in the same breath, I was told that this was nothing to be ashamed of.

Today, psychotherapy is becoming an institution for adolescents. Teens are encouraging each other to reach out when needed. Mental health jargon is becoming commonplace, and we are rejecting stigma. A recent study of adolescents released from psychiatric hospitalization found that these adolescents generally held positive attitudes toward people living with a mental health diagnosis (Preyde, et al., 2023). This is critical as an inpatient mental health stay often represents a time of low hope, and having an upbeat view on living with a mental health diagnosis is likely to encourage recovery.

Beyond mental health diagnosis, we are recognizing the role that psychotherapy can play in general growth. Psychotherapy is not always meant to treat an illness; rather, many seek therapy to explore identity, determine direction on topics such as career choice, work through grief and family circumstances, and better themselves. Adolescents seem to recognize this.

In addition, psychotherapists are eager to recognize and meet the unique needs of adolescents and young adults. Contrary to the old-school image of a psychotherapist leaning back in a forbidding chair as the patient shares their deepest secrets, psychotherapy is becoming more casual. As a youth therapist, it seems that just about every other week a teen teaches me a new slang word that I integrate into my vocabulary.

My Office

Source: Courtesy of Jennifer Gerlach

Seating choices, including a swing and bean bags along with traditional chairs, set a tone that this space is open and adaptable. We draw, paint, play chess, create cartoons, and talk as we practice new skills, work toward identity development, and process trauma.

Like most everyone, youth want and need to be seen and heard. Psychotherapy offers one space for that. In our society, the voices of young people have often been dismissed. Sometimes even well meaning adults trying to reassure youth will minimize their problems. Yet, these things are not small to the person going through it. As a culture, we need to be there more for teens and listen to them. Therapy can't be the only place for that, but it can definitely help. Sometimes teens are not up to talking to the adults around them or are dealing with challenges that need treatment like depression, anxiety, eating disorders and PTSD.

To try to reach youth, therapists have been creative. Some are using music and playlists to help teens share what might be difficult to put into words. Others integrate virtual play to engage youth in online sessions. In addition, following the technological trends, therapists are seeking to meet youth where they are by integrating technology into their practice. Mobile apps are developing to support youth mental health (Litke et al., 2023). For perhaps the first time, efforts are genuinely being made to include youth voices in mental health research and the development of mental health policy (Yamaguchi et al., 2023).

This is all very exciting. Youth are our future, and I believe that this generation's openness to self-reflection and growth will spark positive changes for all of us. I look forward to seeing what comes of all this.