1 in 5 teens struggles with depression. At Clearfork Academy, we are dedicated to helping youth find joy, purpose, and renewed hope as they recover from depression.
Comprehensive Treatment for Teen Depression in Fort Worth, TX
At Clearfork, we offer tailored treatment plans to address the underlying causes of depression in youth. Talk therapy, such as CBT, medication management, or a combination of the two, can greatly support teens recovering from depression and anxiety. The focus of our unique treatment programs is to help teens who are suffering from depression symptoms learn the skills and mechanisms that can help them lead a happy and hopeful life with a bright future.
We offer several evidence-based therapies for treating depression in teens:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps teens reframe negative thoughts, develop positive coping skills, and set goals.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Focuses on helping teens develop mindfulness, strengthen relationships, regulate their emotions, and increase distress tolerance.
- Trauma Therapies: Trauma-informed therapies, such as EMDR, aid in emotional processing and reduce associated emotional distress.
- Interpersonal Therapy: This focuses on attachment theory and psychotherapy. It helps relieve depression symptoms by working on the teens’ interpersonal relationships and self-esteem.
- Psychiatric Medication: Antidepressants, such as SSRIs, may be used as they are proven to be helpful in suicide prevention and other behavioral risks associated with depression.
Our treatment programs are guided by a clinical team that prioritizes the health and safety of your teen. We track progress and measure outcomes to adjust treatment plans as necessary.
Inpatient and Outpatient Depression Treatment for Teens
We offer different levels of care to suit a range of depression severity. These will be discussed with you and your teen so you can make a choice that is right for your family.
Residential Care
Our residential care is an inpatient program designed to care for teens suffering from major depression or bipolar depression. With healthcare professionals on-site at all times, you can be sure your teen will be safe during their treatment, and we can intervene immediately with suicide prevention if necessary.
Intensive Outpatient Program
This is best suited to those who have mild to moderate depression and do not pose a harm to themselves or others. The intensive outpatient program (IOP) offers access to the same therapies and medication treatment options as residential care, but allows for flexibility so teens can stay in school and sleep at home if they would benefit from it.
Youth Mental Health Center
If you’re a parent in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, you know this region isn’t just a growing metroplex — it’s our community. And it’s our mission to keep it safe for local Texas youth. When it comes to mental health, connecting with your teen can make all the difference. Our network of behavioral health centers for teens provides:
- Evidence-based mental health therapies
- Trauma-informed care
- Medication Management
- Group Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Creative Arts Therapies
- Integrated wellness activities
- Physical fitness and outdoor recreation
- Faith-based track (optional)
Talk to your teen about depression and validate how they are feeling. Encourage them to seek treatment to improve their health, wellness, and future success.
Treating Depression in Teenagers at Clearfork Academy
Clearfork Academy takes pride in helping teenagers grow into happy, healthy adolescents with a hopeful future.
As part of our therapeutic care, we offer individual therapy and group therapy, allowing patients to learn from and grow with one another and build support groups with other children and adolescents.
We also provide family therapy, as we believe that having a strong support system of family members who understand our patients’ needs during recovery is the best way to continue the recovery process and ensure it’s long-lasting.
We also offer holistic healing activities such as music, art, and adventure therapy, which can encourage depressed teens to pick up a creative skillset and redirect their negative thoughts and behaviors into something more positive.
Benefits of Clearfork Depression Treatment
As with all psychiatric disorders, depression treatment can provide many benefits both in the short and long term.
Children and teens may feel the positive effects of treatment very quickly, and be more attentive, have more energy, develop problem-solving skills, be more enthusiastic for social and family events, and show a significant decrease in thoughts of self-harm and suicide.
In the longer term, they will be able to build strong, long-lasting, and trusting relationships with those around them. They will find a sense of purpose, which will encourage them to increase engagement in school or work, develop life-long coping skills, and have higher self-esteem. They will have a more hopeful and brighter future. Contact our admissions team today and begin the recovery journey for your teen.
FAQ about Teen Depression Treatment
Below are some commonly-asked questions about Clearfork Academy and the typical teen experience during treatment. If you don’t see your question below, please click here to see all FAQs or reach out to us directly for more information.
Depressed children and adolescents feel isolated, so if you notice warning signs that your teen may be depressed, treat them with care and understanding. Importantly, let them know they can trust you and that there is no stigma around seeking help from a treatment center such as Clearfork Academy. Reassure them that we are dedicated to adolescent psychiatry and our goal is to help them succeed in their recovery journey for a happier future.
We encourage every family member to get involved with the treatment process through family therapy sessions and emotional support. We have dedicated family-centered treatment, and with your support, we can help your teen recover from depression for good.
Adolescent depression can include symptoms of apathy, difficulty concentrating, decision-making, poor timekeeping, or attending school. It also causes changes in sleep and appetite, such as insomnia. It’s also common to experience persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, substance abuse, and withdrawal from friends and family.
A mental health professional will conduct a psychological evaluation to assess your teen and ensure they match the diagnostic and statistical manual rubric by discussing the teen’s life, the parent-child relationship, the teen’s mood, family history, and other behaviors surrounding their mental health.
Support can come in many different forms, but a key aspect is to ensure that they feel validated in their struggle and that you are someone who can support them and get the help they need. If they are worried about speaking to us, we have a number of testimonials available to them that they may find encouraging.
Bullying, academic pressure, peer pressure, and changing hormone levels can all contribute to a major depressive episode, but there is not always an environmental reason. It could be that there is a family history of clinical depression or depressive disorders. There could also be co-occurring conditions such as substance abuse.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly used medication for depression treatment, and they must only be prescribed by a mental health specialist as some SSRIs come with a black box warning.
It is possible to treat some teens’ depression without depression medicines, especially in younger patients and pediatric patients.
However, antidepressant medications should not be dismissed. They can deter suicidal thinking and self-harm and reduce the severity of symptoms of adolescent depression. This may be particularly necessary with manic depressive illness.
Teen Depression Treatment in Fort Worth, Texas
We are dedicated to supporting youth and families in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and across Texas. Please call us if you are worried about your teen or have questions about depression treatment. If they are exhibiting suicidal behavior, seek help immediately.
