Therapy Options for Teenage Depression
and What to Expect

Seeking support and therapy for teenage depression can be daunting. When we don’t know what to expect, we often feel we can’t protect ourselves from harm. There’s a quote from an unknown source that says “The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.”

Therapy for teen depression doesn’t have to be a source of fear. Knowledge is power, and when you know what to expect you can arm yourself with the information to make the right choice for yourself or a loved one.

You also don’t have to make the choice about the right type of therapy alone. Trained mental health professionals can talk you through the most popularly used forms of therapy for teen depression and which ones might best suit your circumstances and needs.

This page can help by discussing:

How therapy helps teens with depression
Therapy options for depressed teens
Types of therapy for adolescent depression
What happens in teen depression counseling
Advice for therapy options for depressed teens

How Therapy Helps Teens With Depression

Psychotherapy, often called “talk therapy,” is a form of treatment that helps teenagers cope with their depression by talking about it. Different forms of therapy can be helpful for teen depression and can be chosen depending on the teen’s age, type of depression, and severity of symptoms. Psychotherapy for teenage depression can also be done individually, in a group, or with family.¹

Therapy can help a teen with depression by:²

Helping them understand the source of their depression
Pinpointing unhelpful thoughts and how these lead to certain behaviors
Processing past trauma
Exploring relationship patterns and how these could contribute to symptoms
Helping them learn coping strategies for difficult emotions and daily challenges
Easing the symptoms of depression such as sadness and hopelessness
Setting realistic, achievable goals
Instilling a sense of hopefulness for the future

If we were to put it simply, how a therapist acts for someone with depression is similar to the role of a swimming instructor to a young child learning to swim. As the instructor teaches the child the skills to float and eventually move through the water, a therapist can help a teen cope with their overwhelming emotions. And, in time, the therapist enables a teen to move through life on their own – feeling capable and optimistic about the future.

Key Takeaways

Therapy for teen depression can reduce sadness/hopelessness and build coping skills by helping teens understand triggers, thoughts, trauma, and relationship patterns.
Common depression treatment for teens combines psychotherapy and, when needed, antidepressants—often with best outcomes when used together and monitored for side effects.
Evidence-based options for teenage depression counseling include CBT (skills for thoughts/behaviors), group therapy (peer support), family therapy (communication/boundaries), and EMDR when trauma is involved.
What happens in teen depression counseling? It usually starts with an assessment for symptoms/goals and “fit,” with confidentiality that’s only broken for safety/legal reasons.

Therapy Options for Depressed Teens

Mental health conditions such as depression may be on the rise in teenagers, with some evidence suggesting that the COVID-19 pandemic played a role in this increase. Depression can greatly impact a teenager’s ability to lead a happy, full life as it affects their relationships, school performance, self-esteem, and outlook for the future. This impact has left many teenagers and families wondering what the best treatment options for mental health are.^3,4

The two most common forms of treatment for teenagers with depression are psychotherapy and medication, with some studies suggesting that both used in combination produce the best outcomes for teen mental health.

While medications such as antidepressants often play an important role in the treatment of moderate to severe teen depression, medication might not be useful for everyone – such as for those with mild depression. What’s more, antidepressants need to be monitored regularly as they can have negative side effects which may cause discomfort for a teen. For this reason, if a teen and their parents decide to go down the medication route, it’s important to discuss antidepressants’ pros and cons with their doctor.⁵

In contrast, psychological treatment, such as therapy, may be more beneficial for depression and tends to have fewer risks than medication. Therefore, therapy is often the “go-to” option for treating teen depression. This information isn’t to suggest that therapy is completely risk-free: it requires time, effort, and careful selection of the right therapist.⁶

With the right information, guidance, and support, you can choose the right form of therapy for you or a loved one with depression. To make sure you make the right decision for you, it may be a good idea to seek advice from a trained mental health professional.

Types of Therapy for Adolescent Depression

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Teenagers

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most commonly used therapies for teen depression as it pays attention to the “thinking” and “acting” aspects of care. CBT is evidence-based, meaning that research proves that it works for improving the signs of depression in teenagers. It does so by understanding that how we feel in the “here and now” affects how we act.⁷

Therefore, the goal of a cognitive behavioral therapist is to help a teenager shift their negative thought patterns, which lead to depression, into more positive ways of thinking. As a result, more positive thoughts can lead to more positive behaviors, reinforcing healthy ways of thinking and feeling.

Throughout CBT sessions, a teen with depression can learn skills like:

How to identify and challenge inaccurate ways of thinking
Pinpointing their values and how these affect their actions and thinking
Relaxation techniques to reduce symptoms of depression
How to expose themselves to things that trigger fear or anxiety

What’s more, CBT has been shown to help a teen with depression regardless of what type of depression they have.⁸

Group Therapy for Teenage Depression

Therapy support groups for teenage depression have shown to be helpful in reducing symptoms. Teens with depression may find it difficult to open up to an adult about what they’re going through emotionally. However, group therapy can provide a safe, supportive space in which teens can share with people their own age who have been going through the same experiences.⁹

As isolation and withdrawal are common symptoms of depression, this sense of shared experience and community can help teens realize that they’re not alone or to blame for what they’re going through. Other benefits of group therapy for teen depression include learning social skills and seeing different perspectives on their situation.

In group therapy for teen depression, a trained therapist can help teens:¹⁰

Express their challenges and hopes for therapy
Self-reflect on the reasons behind their depression
Develop coping skills
Learn from and with each other

Group therapy for teenage depression can be used as a primary approach or in combination with individual therapy. A mental health professional will be able to guide you on the best approach for you and your needs.

Additionally, therapies such as CBT can also be delivered in a group setting, with studies showing that they’re helping in reducing personality traits associated with depression, such as perfectionism.¹¹

Family Therapy for Teen Depression

Family therapy for teen depression is a form of talk therapy that focuses on improving the relationship between close family members. It has been found to be useful for teens with depression, and may especially be useful for those with more severe symptoms, such as for teens who self-harm or have thoughts about death.¹²

The benefits of family therapy for teen depression might stem from how much the family unit impacts a teen’s mental health. Families can either be a positive influence on well-being, or they can negatively affect it. Thus, focusing on improving communication, dynamics, and boundaries within families could improve the symptoms of depression.¹³

There are a variety of different options for family therapy for teen depression, including:

Attachment-based family therapy
Systemic family therapy
Strategic family therapy
Family-based interpersonal therapy
Structural family therapy

Each type of family therapy is designed to address different challenges and needs. Talking with a mental health professional about your family dynamics and symptoms of depression could help you decide which type of family therapy would be most suited to your needs.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy for Teen Depression

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy has been found to be helpful in reducing the symptoms of depression in teens who have experienced trauma. While EMDR focuses on easing distressing emotions caused by previous trauma, it doesn’t do so by requiring a teen to talk about these memories.¹⁴

EMDR works by tapping into the mind-body connection and facilitating natural healing – but this can be difficult to both explain and understand. Instead, EMDR professionals often explain how the therapy works by comparing trauma to a wound or cut. If we cut ourselves, scratching at the wound when it’s trying to heal can cause more pain and injury. However, once we remove blockages to healing, we can recover.¹⁵

In other words, triggers that remind a teen of past trauma can feel like repeating emotional injuries – preventing them from healing. EMDR provides a safe space for teens to process their trauma and change how it’s stored in the brain, allowing them to develop positive beliefs about themselves, others, and the world around them.

What Happens in Teen Depression Counseling?

The specifics of what happens in teen depression counseling may depend on the type of therapy you choose. However, the first step in therapy for teenage depression is an initial assessment to discuss your symptoms, talk about the goals you have for recovery, and see how well you “fit” with your therapist.

The relationship a teen forms with their therapist is key to the therapy’s outcomes. The therapist and teen need to be able to collaborate to work towards goals, share information, and develop trust. A strong bond with a therapist allows a teen to feel safe, listened to, and validated – allowing them a voice in their own care. In fact, the bond between a teen and their therapist could potentially affect the outcomes of therapy even more than the type of therapy chosen.¹⁶

Another element you can expect from teen depression counseling is confidentiality. Confidentiality is the backbone of the therapeutic relationship as it allows a teen to feel safe expressing themselves. The only times a therapist would ever break confidentiality is if they feel someone is at risk of harm, there’s a threat to life, or when required by law.

Advice for Therapy Options for Depressed Teens

Choosing an appropriate form of therapy for teen depression can be overwhelming; with so many options to choose from, you might fear making the wrong choice for yourself or a loved one. A mental health professional can guide you on the right “fit” for you and your needs.

Mission Prep can help. Often, the most difficult step in recovery from depression is reaching out, but we aim to make it as smooth as possible for you. Our team of trained professionals is available online and in various locations to answer your questions 24/7, regardless of whether you determine we’re the right fit for your healthcare needs or not.

We are committed to providing each of our clients with the right therapy and depression treatment program for them, including the options of:

Residential mental health treatment: Inpatient treatment for teen depression can address the complex needs of teenagers with emotional, behavioral, and mental challenges. Our treatment program provides a structured and therapeutic environment in which teens can receive the support to heal and recover.
Outpatient mental health treatment: Our outpatient programs for teen depression are flexible and suitable for teens who don’t require full-time supervision. In this program, teens can access therapy, counseling, and specialized treatment while still going about their daily lives.

Mission Prep can help teenagers with depression cope with the causes of depression as well as their challenging emotions in empathetic ways. A teenager’s voice is always listened to and included in their treatment, helping them feel a sense of control and positivity about the future. Contact us today for advice and support.

References

Salk, R. H., Hyde, J. S., & Abramson, L. Y. (2017). Gender Differences in Depression in Representative National Samples: Meta-Analyses of Diagnoses and Symptoms. Psychological Bulletin, 143(8), 783. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000102
Zhao, L., Han, G., Zhao, Y., Jin, Y., Ge, T., Yang, W., Cui, R., Xu, S., & Li, B. (2020). Gender Differences in Depression: Evidence From Genetics. Frontiers in Genetics, 11, 562316. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2020.562316
Angold, A., & Worthman, C. W. (1993). Puberty onset of gender differences in rates of depression: A developmental, epidemiologic, and neuroendocrine perspective. Journal of Affective Disorders, 29(2-3), 145–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(93)90029-j
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. (n.d.). Menstrually related mood disorders. UNC Center for Women’s Mood Disorders. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://www.med.unc.edu/psych/wmd/resources/mood-disorders/menstrually-related/
Mohammadi, S., Seyedmirzaei, H., Salehi, M. A., Jahanshahi, A., Zakavi, S. S., Firouzabadi, F. D., & Yousem, D. M. (2023). Brain-based Sex Differences in Depression: A Systematic Review of Neuroimaging Studies. Brain Imaging and Behavior, 1. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11682-023-00772-8
Van de Velde, S., Bracke, P., & Levecque, K. (2010). Gender differences in depression in 23 European countries: Cross-national variation in the gender gap in depression. Social Science & Medicine, 71(2), 305–313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.03.035
Khesht-Masjedi, M. F., Shokrgozar, S., Abdollahi, E., Golshahi, M., & Sharif-Ghaziani, Z. (2017). Comparing depressive symptoms in teenage boys and girls. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 6(4), 775. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_129_17
Cyranowski, J. M., Frank, E., Young, E., & Shear, M. K. (2000). Adolescent onset of the gender difference in lifetime rates of major depression: A theoretical model. Archives of General Psychiatry, 57(1), 21–27. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.57.1.21
Gutman, L. M., & McMaster, N. C. (2020). Gendered Pathways of Internalizing Problems from Early Childhood to Adolescence and Associated Adolescent Outcomes. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 48(5), 703. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-020-00623-w
Chaplin, T. M., Gillham, J. E., & P Seligman, M. E. (2009). Gender, Anxiety, and Depressive Symptoms: A Longitudinal Study of Early Adolescents. The Journal of Early Adolescence, 29(2), 307. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431608320125
Staiger, T., Stiawa, M., Mueller-Stierlin, A. S., Kilian, R., Beschoner, P., Gündel, H., Becker, T., Frasch, K., Panzirsch, M., Schmauß, M., & Krumm, S. (2020). Masculinity and Help-Seeking Among Men With Depression: A Qualitative Study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 599039. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.599039
Hawton, K. (2000). Sex and suicide: Gender differences in suicidal behaviour. British Journal of Psychiatry, 177(6), 484-485. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.177.6.484
Kornstein, S. G. (1997). Gender differences in depression: Implications for treatment. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 58(Suppl 15), 12–18. PMID: 9427872.
Kornstein, S. G., Schatzberg, A. F., Thase, M. E., Yonkers, K. A., McCullough, J. P., Keitner, G. I., Gelenberg, A. J., Davis, S. M., Harrison, W. M., & Keller, M. B. (2000). Gender differences in treatment response to sertraline versus imipramine in chronic depression. American Journal of Psychiatry, 157(9), 1445–1452. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.157.9.1445

Therapy for Teen Depression FAQs

How can therapy help a teenager with depression?

Therapy can help teens understand what’s driving depression, notice unhelpful thought patterns, process trauma when relevant, improve relationship dynamics, learn coping strategies, set realistic goals, and feel more hopeful about the future.

What types of therapy are commonly used for teenage depression?

Common options include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), group therapy, family therapy, and EMDR for teens whose depression is linked to trauma.

What is CBT for teen depression?

CBT helps teens identify and challenge inaccurate thinking, practice coping and relaxation skills, clarify values, and make behavior changes that support healthier mood and routines.

What should a teen expect in their first counseling sessions?

An initial assessment usually covers symptoms, treatment goals, and whether the therapist feels like a good fit. Building trust with the therapist matters and can strongly influence progress.

Is teen therapy confidential?

Confidentiality is a key part of treatment so teens can speak openly; it’s typically only broken if someone is at risk of harm, there’s a threat to life, or disclosure is required by law.