Unlocking Hope: 6 Effective Therapies for Teens with High Anxiety

As a Personal Development Coach and Trauma Specialist who works with teens, it is important to understand the intricate challenges that they face, particularly those who experience high anxiety. Anxiety can significantly impact anyone, but it can be especially debilitating to a teen's emotional and social state because they have not yet learned coping strategies to manage stress, and many don't feel comfortable sharing their concerns. Because of this it is vital to explore effective therapies and tools that can provide hope and healing for these adolescents. Here a few proven therapies and techniques I’ve used to assist teens living with high anxiety.

1. Attachment-Based Therapy

Teens, like anyone, experience high anxiety when they have experienced neglect, abuse, or feelings of abandonment (being separated from a primary caregiver). The result is It is detachment and often shows up in the form of anxious-avoidant attachments. Because these anxiety triggers are based in attachment related wounds, one great approach with teens is attachment-based therapy.

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on mending and rebuilding healthy attachment patterns between the teen and their primary caregiver(s), bonus parents, aunts, uncles, and other family members, and other supportive adults. By facilitating secure emotional bonds, teens can learn to trust not only the world around them, but others around them and engage in healthy relationships. Through a combination of talk therapy, play therapy, music therapy, art therapy, and family interventions, attachment-based therapy goals are designed to enhance emotional regulation and social skills.

2. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

TF-CBT is designed to address the impact of trauma, which is often at the core of high anxiety. This evidence-based therapy helps teens process traumatic experiences, manage their fears and mindsets that keep them stuck in fear patterns and feeling distressing emotions. TF-CBT helps teens develop coping strategies. By integrating cognitive and behavioral techniques, TF-CBT empowers teens to challenge their fears, negative beliefs, look for alternative positive outcomes, and help them to regulate emotions. When these techniques are used, it builds reassurance and resilience in the face of real or perceived challenges.

3. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is another extremely valuable therapeutic approach for teens with high anxiety, especially those struggling with emotional dysregulation and impulsivity. DBT emphasizes mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. By teaching teens effective coping mechanisms and interpersonal skills, DBT empowers them with the tools needed to navigate complex emotions and maintain stable relationships. It is empowering and gives them the foundation for conflict resolution, the ability to respect other's viewpoints, and the ability to express their own needs.

4. Equine-Assisted Therapy

Equine-Assisted Therapy harnesses the healing power of interactions with horses to promote emotional growth and self-awareness. Teens with high anxiety can benefit significantly from this experiential therapy. It enables them to develop trust, empathy, and communication skills by working with horses. The nonverbal nature of equine therapy can help teens process emotions, feel in control, and develop a sense of connection and responsibility.

5. Art Therapy

Art Therapy is both a fun and creative outlet for teens to express their emotions and experiences in a nonverbal manner. It helps slow down the anxiety train because it uses another part of the brain. It helps increase focus and awareness on the present, increases awareness of how the teen is experiencing distress both emotionally and, in their body, while de-escalating their pain. There are countless ways to express emotion and experiences through various art modalities, such as drawing, painting, and sculpting. It is also a beautiful way to facilitate self-discovery, where teens can explore their thoughts and feelings and fosters self-expression. Art therapy is especially beneficial for teens with high anxiety whose voices have been silenced during trauma, or in general and who find it challenging to verbalize their emotions or past experiences. 6. EFT Tapping Therapy

EFT Tapping Therapy combines traditional Chinese medicine with modern psychological acupressure techniques. By tapping on 9 emotional acupressure points of the body, anyone can experience both soothing and grounding effects. EFT Tapping also provides an emotional attachment to the body. This is excellent for emotion regulation and is a valuable tool to reprogram intrusive thoughts, can be used as a catalyst for creativity and conflict resolution, and is a way to work through alternative solutions in both a verbal and a nonverbal manner. This therapy combines the benefits of both TF-DBT and Attachment Based Therapy.

Conclusion: Embracing a Path to Healing

In the journey towards healing from and managing high anxiety, these six effective therapies bring physical and emotional peace, address attachment issues, heal trauma, help stabilize emotional dysregulation, and provide avenues for self-expression. These tools will radically reduce and eliminate anxiety where teens can experience healing, hope, excitement, and peace.

Remember, every teen's journey is unique, and the key lies in providing personalized, compassionate care that honors their individual needs and experiences. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of teens with high anxiety and empower them to embrace a future filled with promise and possibility.

As a professional dedicated to supporting teens who experience high anxiety, I am so excited to announce our online 2025 Resilient Teen Summer Program. This program will be a fun and interactive online retreat for teens Monday thru Friday, June 16th - June 20th, from 10am - Noon CST and includes Reviewing & Discussing the "7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens" by Sean Covey, Daily Meditations, Breathing Techniques for Stress Management, Art Therapy, Music Therapy, EFT Tapping Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT),

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Attachment Based Therapy. Registration is now open. Seats are limited. If you'd like to discuss your teen and some of the challenges they are facing, please schedule a complimentary consultation at your convenience.