Therapy Options for Teen Depression: A Parents Guide

Teen depression is a widespread public health concern, with rates of major depressive disorder nearly doubling among youth over the past decade. A once lively and passionate child, may now struggle to get out of bed, keep up with daily tasks, participate in school, and maintain relationships. Untreated depression also increases the risk of reckless or unsafe behaviors such as substance abuse and self-harm [1]. 

For parents of youth diagnosed with depression, it can feel distressing not knowing how to help their teens. Fortunately, research around youth mental health continues to grow and there are more evidence-based therapies than ever to treat teens with depression. 

These therapies differ in their approaches but share a similar goal of helping teens reframe negative thoughts, process emotional distress, and develop positive coping strategies. 

Understanding Teen Depression 

According to a 2024 report by the World Health Organization, over 5 million youth have experienced an episode of depression. It is one of the most common mental health challenges diagnosed in teens [2]. 

There is no single cause of teenage depression, rather it’s influenced by a combination of biological, environmental, and social factors. Some teens are more genetically vulnerable to developing depression, especially if it runs in their family. Other teens develop depression from environmental influences—such as being bullied in school or growing up in a home that lacks stability. 

Social media, fears of climate change, increased community violence such as school shootings, and political instability are also factors affecting the rise in depression among the current generations of teens [2]. 

The Role of Therapy in Teen Mental Health 

Mental health is just as important as physical health—it influences how we think, feel, behave, make decisions, and respond to stress. If daily stress or challenges, traumatic events, or underlying health conditions begin to impact mental well-being, this is where therapy can come in. 

Therapy, also referred to as psychotherapy or counseling, is a process that helps teens heal their mental health and develop healthier ways to manage stress. Several forms of therapy are considered evidence-based medical treatments for diagnosed mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, or trauma. 

However, teens without a diagnosed mental health problem can also benefit from therapy. It can act as a positive support for teens going through difficult situations or transitions, such as moving schools, experiencing bullying, or struggling with grief.   

Effective Types of Therapy for Teen Depression 

Therapy teaches teens strategies to help them better cope with negative thoughts or situations. Attending therapy regularly can also provide valuable insights into understanding what is causing their depression.  

Therapy for depression is most often given in an outpatient setting, one to two times a week. However, in severe cases, such as where symptoms of self-harm or suicidal ideation are present, teens may receive therapy in a hospital or inpatient program at a residential treatment facility.  

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a structured, short-term therapy approach. It is the most common mental health therapy for treating depression in teens and has a success rate of about 60%. It helps teens recognize thoughts that are influencing their depression and change these thinking patterns [3]. 

CBT therapists also help teens build coping skills they can use during times of stress or episodes of depression. Some of these include: 

• Cognitive Restructuring: Teach teens to look for evidence that supports their beliefs 
• Behavioral Activation: Encourages teens to participate in activities they find pleasurable that are also positive for their mental health
• Self-Monitoring: Journaling or mood tracking
• Mindfulness Techniques: Deep breathing, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation

CBT is also goal-oriented. Throughout therapy, teens set treatment goals with the therapist. These goals might be related to their recovery (e.g., journal 3x a week) or general goals that can improve their mental health (e.g., participating more in class or trying a new sport). 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)  

DBT, initially designed for Borderline Personality Disorder and complex trauma, has promising results in treating teen depression with a success rate of 50% to 60%. Unlike CBT, which focuses more on cognition, DBT focuses more on emotional health. It teaches teens how to reduce the influence that negative emotions have on their well-being [3]. 

The four primary skills teens learn in DBT include: 

• Distress Tolerance: Helps teens build resilience and teaches them to react less intensely to stress or negativity
• Mindfulness: Encourages teens to stay in the present and focus on what they can control, such as their reactions to situations 
• Emotional Regulation: Teaches teens how to accept their emotions instead of letting them control their moods or behaviors
• Interpersonal Effectiveness: Focuses on concepts like trust and communication to help teens develop and manage relationships 

Group Therapy and Peer Support

Guided by the supervision of a licensed therapist, group therapy is helpful for teens with depression who experience feelings of loneliness or isolation. They are a key part of inpatient treatment programs for depression, providing them with a valuable peer network for mental health recovery. 

Teens can also attend group therapy sessions on an outpatient basis, either in-person or virtually. Now more than ever, teens can connect with therapy groups online. 

Family Therapy

Family therapy sessions involve parents, caregivers, and other loved ones and puts the focus on skills to improve communication and family dynamics in the home. The goal of family therapy for treating teen depression is to help them build a support network and healthy home environment that supports their recovery.

Some skills taught in family therapy include:  

• Conflict resolution 
• Problem-solving 
• Active listening 
• Open communication 

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is particularly helpful for teens who have suffered from traumatic experiences such as abuse or neglect and are experiencing depression as an outcome of trauma. It is a structured, 8-step approach that helps teens process traumatic memories and reduce emotional distress. 

A trained EMDR therapist uses guided eye movements and rhythmic stimulation, such as tapping sounds or vibrations, to stimulate regions of the brain that store traumatic memories. During this time, the therapist helps teens reprocess how the brain reacts to the trauma, reducing the impact and associated emotional distress [4]. 

Dance and Movement Therapy 

Dance and movement therapy is growing in popularity as a powerful approach to healing mental health. It uses guided body movements or free movements (improv) to help teens express their emotions, boost feel-good chemicals in the brain known as endorphins, and improve their self-esteem.  

Trained and accredited dance therapists observe body language, help teens physically explore and express their inner world, and use CBT techniques to help teens connect their physical and cognitive experiences. 

Research shows that aerobic exercises like dance, swimming, running, and walking are one and a half times more effective in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety than SSRI antidepressant medications. One 2024 study from Sports Medicine found that dance, in particular, is one of the most effective forms of exercise for healing depression and improving mental health [5] [6].    

Medication

Although not technically considered a therapy, medication plays a key role in supporting youth in overcoming depression. It is especially effective when paired with one of the above therapies. 

Medication targets chemical imbalances in the brain that can lead to mental health problems and is helpful for improving symptoms of depression, such as changes in mood, sleep or appetite.     

Mental Health Residential Treatment for Teens in Texas 

Clearfork Academy residential facility is a licensed treatment program with 24/7 supervision, helping teens recover from depression and other mental health or substance abuse disorders. 

We provide around-the-clock care and support to teens on their journey toward sobriety and wellness. We offer evidence-based treatments such as CBT, DBT, and EMDR and strive to educate parents about mental health.

Contact our admissions team today to see how we can support your family. 

Sources 

[1] Teen Depression On The Rise. 2016. Live Science. 

[2] Mental Health of Adolescents. 2024. World Health Organization. 

[3] Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression Annual Reports. 2023. NHS.  

[4] The Role of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy in Medicine. 2014. National Library of Medicine. 

[5] Effect of exercise for depression: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. 2024. The BMJ. 

[6] The Effectiveness of Dance Interventions on Psychological and Cognitive Health Outcomes Compared with Other Forms of Physical Activity. 2024. Sports Medicine.