We go through many changes in our lives. Our parents might divorce or remarry. We might move homes, welcome a new child into the family, or lose a job or someone important to us. Some changes are planned and positive, while others happen suddenly.
For teens, even when change is good, it can take them time and support to adjust. As a parent, it can be difficult to know how to support your teen as the whole family adjusts. To help, this page will explore:
Adolescence is already a period of significant development. Teens are becoming more independent from their parents while still relying on their family for stability, emotional support, and guidance. At the same time, their brains are also developing.
The prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for regulating and managing emotions, is one of the last parts to mature, often not fully developed until the mid-to-late 20s.[1] Without this part of the brain being fully developed, it can make it more difficult to handle the stress that comes from major life changes as teenagers.
For instance, when something changes at home, a teen’s sense of stability can temporarily shift. Research shows a link between difficult childhood and adolescent experiences, including parental separation, parental loss, and frequently changing homes, with an increased risk of mental health concerns.[2] However, experiencing a family transition doesn’t mean all teens will develop a mental health condition.
The relationship between family changes and teen mental health depends on many factors. For example, your teen’s response may be influenced by:
In other words, family dynamics and mental health concerns aren’t only about what changed. How you and your family respond to the change can also make a difference.
It’s likely your teen won’t always tell you when something is bothering them. They might not know how to explain what they’re feeling, or they might worry that talking about it will upset you. Instead, teens’ adjustment to family changes may show up as changes in mood, behavior, or daily routine.
Signs of the impact of family changes on teen mental health might look like the teen:
Adjustment takes time, so one bad day or week after a major transition doesn’t necessarily mean you should worry about the presence of a mental health problem. With family changes and teen mental health, it can be more helpful to look at:
Changes and transitions are inevitable in life. So, as a parent, you can’t always prevent change. But what you can do is help create a sense of stability while your teen adjusts. When helping teens with family changes, consider:
When there are major life changes, teenagers usually know something is happening, even if adults avoid talking about it. Whenever possible, explain family changes clearly and honestly in a way your teen can understand. If you don’t know exactly what will happen yet, it’s okay to say that.
At the same time, teens don’t need every detail of adult conflicts, financial concerns, or legal disagreements. Try to give them the information they need without placing them in the middle of problems they cannot control.
Changes often disrupt routine. During periods of family instability, teen mental health can be supported by maintaining some familiar parts of daily life. When possible, try to keep similar routines around:
That doesn’t mean everything has to stay exactly the same. Rather, familiar routines can give your teen something predictable to rely on when other parts of life feel uncertain.
When there’s family disruption, adolescents may have mixed emotions. They might not see a family change as completely good or bad. They might feel relieved their parents are no longer arguing while also feeling deeply sad about a divorce. Or they might enjoy a new home while missing their old neighborhood.
Try not to rush them into looking at the positive side. Giving your teen permission to have complicated feelings may make it easier for them to talk about them. It also helps normalize for them that it’s okay to have more than just one feeling.
When there are family changes and teen mental health starts to decline, it’s normal to want to immediately try to fix it. But research has found that the quality of parent-child communication is an important factor, especially for teens with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and psychosis.[3]
So, instead of immediately trying to fix or offer solutions, try asking questions that build connection, such as:
Your teen may not always want to talk. Letting them know the conversation is available when they are ready can still matter.
Whenever possible, avoid using your teenager to carry messages between parents, asking them to choose sides, or discussing another caregiver negatively with them. Your teen should be able to maintain their own relationships without feeling that showing love or loyalty toward one person will hurt someone else.
Reducing that pressure can be an important part of protecting family changes and teen mental health during difficult transitions.
Mission Prep is here to help you or your loved one take the next steps towards an improved mental well-being.
When there are changing family dynamics for teens, therapy can give them a place to talk about those changes without worrying about upsetting a parent or other family member. Therapy for family changes and teen mental health might include:
Individual therapy can give your teen space to identify emotions, understand their reactions, and learn healthier ways to manage stress. Sometimes simply having a neutral person to talk to can make it easier for teens to discuss anger, sadness, guilt, or fears they don’t feel comfortable sharing at home.
During therapy, the therapist may use approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help your teen recognize connections between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. For example, after family disruptions, adolescents might think that:
CBT helps them notice these negative thoughts and how they might contribute to their distress. Then it supports them in finding ways of challenging those thoughts and developing more adaptive ones, leading to more balanced ways of understanding what’s happened.
To address family changes and teen mental health, sometimes it’s helpful to include parents or other caregivers. Family therapy can help families improve communication, address conflict, and adjust to new roles or relationships.
Research suggests that family-based approaches can be useful components of adolescent mental health treatment and help improve depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts.[4] This can be particularly relevant when family dynamics and mental health concerns are closely connected.
Changing family dynamics for teens can cause a mix of emotions, and not all teens know how to explain what they’re feeling or even want to talk about it. Art therapy can give them other ways to explore and process how they’re feeling without needing to talk or explain.
Approaches like mindfulness and somatic therapy can also provide them with the tools to notice how their experiences are showing up in their bodies. They can become able to recognize what the distress feels like physically and then learn how to release the stress, anxiety, or trauma that’s keeping their nervous system activated.[5]
Mission Prep provides treatment for teens experiencing various mental health conditions. Mental Health support is a phone call away – call 866-901-4047 to learn about your treatment options.
See our residences in Southern California’s Los Angeles & San Diego areas.
Take a look at our Minneapolis-St. Paul area homes in Hennepin County.
View our facilities in Loudoun County, VA within the DC metro area.
Watching your teen find it hard to cope while you’re also trying to manage a family transition can feel overwhelming. At Mission Prep Teen Treatment, we look at the whole picture behind family changes and teen mental health concerns. This means understanding your teen’s symptoms alongside their relationships, circumstances, strengths, and goals.
We offer tailored treatment programs to best suit your teen’s concerns, needs, goals, and strengths. That treatment may include combining evidence-based therapies, such as CBT, with other methods, such as mindfulness, art, and somatic therapy. When appropriate, we may also involve families in treatment so parents and caregivers can better understand how best to support their teen’s adjustment to family changes.
Whether your teen could benefit from residential treatment at one of our locations or something more flexible, like an outpatient mental health program delivered virtually, our team can help. Mission Prep Teen Treatment accepts insurance and is in-network with most major providers. We are happy to help you check your insurance coverage for mental health care.
Start the admissions process online or call 866-901-4047 to speak with a caring member of our team who can answer any questions you might have. Our team can help you understand what your child is experiencing and determine the appropriate level of support.
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Because it’s natural for parents to get concerned about family changes and teen mental health, below we answer some questions parents often have about supporting their teen through transitions.
During family transitions, teenagers may experience confusing emotions and changes in relationships, routines, and their sense of security. Some teens may become sad or anxious, while others might become irritable, withdrawn, or distracted. Their response depends on the type of change, their relationships, and the support available to them.
The major life changes teenagers experience can understandably cause temporary sadness, anger, or stress. Consider seeking additional help when symptoms are intense, continue getting worse, or interfere with school, sleep, relationships, or everyday activities. Any self-harm or suicidal thoughts should also be taken seriously.
Yes, at Mission Prep, we provide mental health treatment for teens dealing with a variety of concerns from anxiety and depression to trauma, psychosis, academic struggles, and suicidal thoughts.
If your teen is struggling with adolescent family stress, we can help them recognize what they’re experiencing and develop stronger coping tools. Our goal is to help them build confidence and feel connected to what matters to them.
Are You Covered for Mental Health Treatment?
We’re in-network with many providers. Call us at 866-901-4047 to verify your benefits and find out how much your plan will cover
Find out if Mission Prep is right for you by reaching out to us and speaking with one of our admissions representatives.
