Therapy for Teens

At TN Mental Wellness, we see teens ages 5–18. Several of our therapists specialize in older teens ages 15–18, and at our Gallatin, TN office we have therapists who work with younger kids in the 5–14 range as well.

Our team is built to support a wide range of developmental stages, so whether you're looking for help for a younger child or an older teenager navigating high school, we likely have someone who's a good fit.

It depends on what your teen is dealing with. For most concerns, finding a therapist who enjoys working with teenagers and who your teen can connect with matters most. But for issues like trauma, eating disorders, OCD, or substance use, specialized training is especially important — don't hesitate to ask any therapist directly about their experience.

Some mental health concerns are more straightforward to treat than others. Anxiety, life stress, and general depression can be addressed well by any skilled teen therapist. But if your teen has experienced trauma, look specifically for someone trained in an evidence-based approach like EMDR or Brainspotting. For eating disorders, OCD, and substance use, specialized training isn't just a bonus — it's something worth prioritizing in your search.

At Tennessee Mental Wellness, sessions range from $100 to $150. Provisionally licensed clinicians working under close supervision are available at the lower end of that range, while more experienced therapists with specialized training are at the higher end. We're out of network with insurance, but you can submit a Superbill to use your out-of-network benefits.

The rate reflects the therapist's licensure level, years of experience, and areas of specialization. If cost is a consideration, a newer clinician under supervision can be an excellent option — they bring current training and work closely with senior staff. If your teen has more complex needs, a more experienced therapist may be worth the additional investment. Either way, we're happy to help you find the right fit for your family's needs and budget.

Yes — for most teenagers facing emotional or mental health challenges, counseling is absolutely worth it. It gives teens a dedicated space to work through what they're experiencing, build coping skills, and better understand themselves. The right therapist can make a meaningful difference, and those benefits often carry well into adulthood.

Adolescence is one of the most formative periods in a person's life, and the tools a teen builds in therapy — how to manage anxiety, process difficult emotions, navigate relationships — tend to stick. At Tennessee Mental Wellness, our therapists focus on building a genuine connection with each teen while using evidence-based approaches tailored to their individual needs.

About 1 in 3 teenagers will experience an anxiety disorder by age 18, making it one of the most common mental health challenges in adolescents. Some anxiety is a normal part of growing up, but when it starts interfering with daily life — school, friendships, sleep, or family relationships — professional support can make a real difference.

It's worth knowing that anxiety in teens doesn't always look the way parents expect. It can show up as irritability, avoidance, physical complaints, or difficulty concentrating — not just worry or nervousness. A therapist experienced in working with teens can help identify what's driving the anxiety and develop a plan to address it.

In most cases, once a month isn't enough — especially early in treatment. Weekly sessions give the therapist and teen time to build a strong working relationship and make consistent progress. Monthly sessions may work as a maintenance schedule later on, but they're rarely sufficient for initiating meaningful change.

The right frequency depends on your teen's individual needs. Some teens benefit from more than one session per week, particularly if they're also doing family therapy or working through a more intensive treatment approach. At Tennessee Mental Wellness, we work with each teen and their family to determine what schedule will be most effective — and that can shift over time as progress is made.

Counseling can be beneficial at any age, as long as the approach fits the individual. At Tennessee Mental Wellness, we work with children as young as 5, have therapists who specialize in the 11–14 range, and have therapists experienced in supporting older teens ages 15–18. There's no minimum age — what matters most is finding the right fit.

The earlier a child or teen gets support, the more tools they have going forward. That said, it's never too late to start. Whether your child is navigating early childhood transitions or a teenager in the middle of a mental health crisis, the right therapist can meet them where they are.

Yes — therapy is one of the most effective treatments for teen depression. At Tennessee Mental Wellness, we use evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), both of which have strong research support for treating depression in teenagers. With the right therapist and consistent sessions, real improvement is absolutely possible.

Every teen's experience with depression is different, and treatment is personalized accordingly. We also offer online counseling for teens who find it difficult to attend in person. One of the biggest factors in outcomes is the therapeutic relationship — when a teen feels genuinely comfortable with their therapist, the work tends to go deeper and progress happens more naturally.

Not necessarily — the age of the therapist matters less than the quality of the relationship and the fit with your teen. Newer therapists bring fresh energy and current training, while experienced therapists bring depth and a wide range of clinical experience. Both can be excellent for teenagers, depending on the individual match.

At Tennessee Mental Wellness, our provisionally licensed clinicians work under close supervision from experienced senior staff — including case reviews and sometimes session video reviews — so there's real oversight built in. What we'd encourage you to focus on is finding someone your teen feels comfortable with and who understands the specific challenges they're navigating. That connection is what makes therapy work.

No — we're a therapy practice and don't have a prescriber on staff. Therapy, particularly the approaches we use at Tennessee Mental Wellness, is an effective first-line treatment for most anxiety and many people do very well without medication.

That said, for some people a combination of therapy and medication is the most effective approach. If that seems like it might be relevant for you, we're happy to refer you to a trusted psychiatrist or coordinate with your existing prescriber so your care is well-rounded and consistent.