Starting teen therapy can feel awkward, especially if the appointment was someone else’s idea. It’s okay to come with questions, to need time to get comfortable, or to have a different idea of what you want to work on than your parents do.
What happens during a first appointment?
The therapist may ask what life has been like lately, who you trust, and what you’d like to be different. You might talk about school pressure, friendships, family changes, grief, or feeling overwhelmed. You can ask how sessions work and tell the therapist what would make it easier to talk.
What will my parents know?
Ask the therapist to explain confidentiality, its limits, and how parent or caregiver updates work before you share something private. If you’re a caregiver, it can help to ask how you’ll participate and how the therapist will make room for your teen’s own goals.
For more questions to ask, see AACAP’s guide to child and adolescent psychotherapy.
Explore Bailey’s teen therapy services or ask about in-person or Colorado virtual appointments.