Thoughtful articles from I Choose Me Counseling to support emotional well-being, self-understanding, and growth for individuals, families, and communities.
According to CDC data on adolescent mental health in 2023, 40% of U.S. high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Twenty percent seriously considered attempting suicide, and 9% attempted suicide. At home, the problem is harder to recognize. Parents see a teenager sleeping through the alarm, skipping
Teen mental health therapy costs vary widely depending on the type of care, the provider, insurance coverage, and fees outside the regular session rate. This guide breaks down common price ranges, lower-cost options, and the questions parents should ask before choosing care.
Teenagers don’t need to be in crisis before therapy becomes worth considering. This guide helps parents assess lasting changes in mood, behavior, school, sleep, relationships, and safety, then explains how to bring up counseling and what to expect once sessions begin.
Group therapy gives teenagers a place to practice communication, handle disagreement, and hear from peers dealing with similar concerns. This guide explains what happens in a session, how the group is structured, and what parents should ask before deciding whether it fits their teen.
When therapy feels repetitive, unclear, or disconnected from daily life, the problem may be the therapist match, the goals, the treatment approach, or the level of support. This guide explains how to identify what’s getting stuck, what to say in session, and when to stay, switch therapists, or change the
Self-care for mental health refers to the conscious practices and activities that help you feel steadier, less overwhelmed, and more able to get through the day. That includes rest, movement, decent meals, quiet time, support from other people, and simple habits that lower stress instead of adding to it. It
Mental health and emotional health are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different aspects of the mind. Mental health focuses on thinking and psychological functioning, while emotional health centers on how emotions are recognized, managed, and expressed. Because thoughts and emotions constantly influence each other,
Instead of trying to decide what type of therapy you need, a better starting point is understanding yourself. Reflect on your needs, the difficulties you are experiencing, and what changes you want in your life. From there, the type of therapy that may work best usually becomes easier to identify,
