Why Teens with Mental Health Concerns Need Peer Therapy

Many schools across the country are establishing therapy groups led by counselors or school psychologists that allow teens to connect with others who may share similar issues. In addition, peer counseling services offered in school settings can benefit students’ well-being and increase confidence. Programs like these can benefit adolescents by showing them they are not alone in their struggles, which can reduce feelings of isolation and develop students’ communication and social skills.

We spoke to two clinicians who have experience working with adolescents in school settings about why these types of therapy benefit teens, in particular. Byron McClure, EdD, NCSP, director of innovation for 7 Mindsets, speaker, and author, and Danielle Weitzer, DO, attending psychiatrist at the Therapy Center of New York, shared their thoughts on group therapy and peer counseling services for adolescents.

Group therapy for adolescents, led by school counselors or school psychologists, offers teens opportunities to connect with peers, discuss similar academic or emotional frustrations and issues, offer support for each other, and build community. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) called group counseling “a vital direct service to students and is an effective part of a school counseling program” in a position statement.

For teens, group therapy can decrease social isolation and negative emotions when they realize that they are not alone in their feelings and struggles, according to both Dr. McClure and Dr. Weitzer. In addition, the support that teens receive from each other during the group sessions can improve peer relationships and foster a sense of belonging. Dr. McClure noted that this can be “particularly beneficial for teens who may be struggling with issues related to identity and self-esteem.”

“Group therapy for adolescents can be incredibly empowering – it offers a unique sense of social support and validation that teens may not get anywhere else,” he explained.

Group therapy may have advantages over one-on-one therapy for teenagers because the setting can help them develop coping skills, build resilience, and allow them to receive feedback and support from multiple people, said Dr. McClure. “[Group therapy] allows for the exploration of interpersonal dynamics and the practice of social skills. Group members can observe and learn from each other, which can provide them with a valuable perspective on their own issues,” he added.

Dr. Weitzer noted that a very common trigger for mental health problems in children and adolescents is bullying with fellow peers. “This can be directly addressed in group counseling as both parties may be involved and gather a better understanding of each other in a more controlled setting,” she said. This shared understanding can be lost in individual therapy, she explained, in particular, when the person who is bullying is not able to hear directly from the student who is bullied.

Like group therapy, peer counseling enables teenagers to hear from others in their age group and have the opportunity to both offer and receive support. It may be easier for adolescents to open up to peers than to seek help from adults, as the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) notes in its position statement. ASCA also points out that peer support programs can improve students’ academic performance and build a sense of community.

The National Education Association (NEA) reported that the implementation of peer support and mentoring programs has increased in recent years due to the raising rates of suicide, anxiety, and trauma among adolescents coupled with the lack of trained mental health professionals and resources in schools. Students who are considered to be good candidates to be peer mentors are trained to listen and offer support, and to contact a supervising adult, such as a school counselor or psychologist, when necessary. In their role as peer mentors, teens are able to develop their leadership skills.

Growth and Development

Dr. McClure and Dr. Weitzer emphasized several benefits that peer counseling services offer teenagers as they work together to overcome common issues, such as:

• Providing a sense of understanding and empathy

• Gaining better communication skills

• Improving academic performance

• Increasing attendance in school

• Providing an overall more positive outlook

• Building self-esteem and confidence

A further benefit of peer counselors is that they “can help to reduce the stigma around mental health and make it more socially acceptable for teens to seek help for their struggles,” noted Dr. McClure.

Family Issues

Adolescents often think that they are struggling alone or do not feel comfortable communicating with their family, Dr. Weitzer noted. At other times, teenagers may not feel understood by their families, which can lead to further isolation.

“Peer counseling eliminates these scenarios by giving teens the space to communicate and be understood by others,” she said. “In some cases, the leader can serve as a mentor to the student, which can be highly beneficial toward helping them stay on the right track.”

See also, how parents can get in the way of teen therapy

Overall, communicating with peers, whether through group therapy or peer counseling, can be an effective way to manage stress, build resilience and coping skills, and help with a wide range of issues that adolescents may face, including anxiety, depression, substance use, and more, according to Dr. McClure. “However, it’s important to note that not all teens will benefit from these types of therapy and in some cases, individual therapy or other forms of treatment may be more appropriate,” he clarified.