Mental Health Treatment Centers That Offer Teen Therapy in Philadelphia, PA

Welcome to Elium Health, your trusted partner in teen mental health therapy. With four locations in the greater Philadelphia area, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive mental health services tailored specifically for teenagers. We understand that adolescence can be a challenging time filled with unique pressures and changes. Our team of experienced therapists is here to help navigate these complexities, offering a safe space for exploration, growth, and healing. At Elium Health, we believe in empowering teens to overcome their mental health challenges and build resilience for a healthier future. Discover more about our offerings and start the journey towards improved mental health today.

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Schedule an appointment, ask questions, or talk about something else we haven’t quite covered. Our qualified experts are here to create an tailored treatment plan for your teenager centered around our therapy options!

What is Mental Health Therapy?

Mental health therapy, also known as psychotherapy, talk therapy, or counseling, is a process designed to help individuals manage their emotional well-being, mental health, and life challenges. It involves communication between a person and a licensed therapist with the aim to diagnose and treat mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, and more. This therapeutic process can help individuals understand and navigate their feelings, improve their thought patterns, learn coping mechanisms, and enhance their overall quality of life. Therapy can be conducted in various formats including individual, group, couple, or family sessions, and can incorporate different therapeutic approaches based on the individual’s unique needs and goals. Mental health therapy is a powerful tool for anyone seeking to overcome obstacles, gain insight into themselves, and foster

Young lady in a therapy session

Can Mental Health Therapy help teens?

Yes, mental health therapy can indeed be extremely beneficial for teens. Adolescence is a time of significant physical, emotional, and social changes, and these transitions can often bring about stress, confusion, and other emotional challenges. Mental health therapy can provide a safe and supportive environment for teens to express their feelings, understand their emotions, and learn effective coping strategies.

In therapy, teens can explore issues such as academic pressures, body image concerns, social anxiety, family conflicts, feelings of loneliness or isolation, and more. Therapists who specialize in adolescent mental health are trained to communicate with teens in a language they understand, helping them navigate through their unique struggles. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), for instance, can help teens challenge negative thought patterns and replace them with healthier, more positive perspectives.

Moreover, therapy can equip teens with vital life skills such as problem-solving, stress management, and emotional regulation. It can also boost their self-esteem and resilience, promoting overall mental well-being. Early intervention through therapy can prevent the escalation of mental health issues, reducing the risk of such problems persisting into adulthood.

How is Teen Therapy different from Adult Therapy?

Teen therapy and adult therapy, while sharing the common goal of improving mental health and emotional well-being, have some distinct differences due to the unique developmental stages and challenges faced by teenagers compared to adults.


Teen therapy often focuses on the specific issues and struggles related to adolescence such as peer pressure, academic stressors, identity exploration, and family dynamics. Teens are in a transitional phase, moving from childhood to adulthood, and this can create unique challenges that require specialized therapeutic approaches. Therapists working with teens often use more interactive and engaging methods, such as art or play therapy, to help them express their feelings and thoughts in ways that may be easier for them than traditional talk therapy.


Furthermore, while confidentiality is a key component of both teen and adult therapy, there are some differences in how it’s handled. In adult therapy, what’s shared in sessions is strictly confidential (with a few exceptions related to safety). However, with teen therapy, therapists often have to balance the teen’s need for privacy with parents’ desire (and legal right) to know about their child’s wellbeing. This can make navigating confidentiality a bit more complex in teen therapy.


Lastly, involvement of the family is often more prevalent in teen therapy. While adults typically attend therapy independently, teen therapy may involve family sessions or parent consultations alongside individual sessions. This is because teens usually live within family systems and these systems can play a significant role in their mental health.

What common mental health disorders found in teenagers can therapy treat?

Mental health therapy can be a powerful tool for teenagers, helping them navigate the complexities of adolescence and manage any mental health disorders they may be experiencing. This period of life is often filled with emotional turmoil, social pressures, academic stress, and self-discovery, all of which can contribute to the development or exacerbation of certain mental health conditions. Therapy can provide the necessary support, coping strategies, and treatment to help teens overcome these challenges.

Below are some common mental health disorders found in teenagers that therapy can treat. Each of these disorders presents unique challenges, but with the right therapeutic approach, teens can learn to manage their symptoms, improve their mental health, and enhance their overall quality of life. 

  • Depression: This is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. It can affect a teen’s thoughts, feelings, behavior, and overall health, making it difficult for them to function at home, school, or work.

  • Anxiety Disorders: These encompass a range of conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. They involve excessive and persistent worry, fear, or nervousness that is difficult to control and interferes with daily activities.

  • Eating Disorders: Conditions like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder fall under this category. Eating disorders involve serious disturbances in eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions, causing significant distress and health problems.
  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): This is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with functioning or development. It can impact a teen’s academic performance, behavior, and social relationships.

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD can develop after a traumatic event, causing severe anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event. It can lead to avoidance behaviors, emotional numbness, and increased arousal symptoms such as difficulty sleeping and irritability.
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): OCD is characterized by recurring, unwanted thoughts, ideas or sensations (obsessions) that drive someone to do something repetitively (compulsions). These repetitive behaviors can significantly interfere with a teen’s daily activities and social interactions. Some common obsessions include fear of germs or contamination, while common compulsions include excessive cleaning, handwashing, or checking on things. With therapy, teens can learn to manage their obsessions and compulsions and reduce the impact of OCD on their lives.

Where to get teen therapy near me in Philadelphia?

If you are looking to get your teenager into a mental health treatment program and are local to the Philly area, we are accepting new patients. Our collection of clinics are strategically located throughout the Delaware Valley to ensure access for anyone living in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Philadelphia counties:

All of our facilities are staffed by a team of professional and friendly mental health workers ready start your on teen on a journey to address any mental health challenges.

What are specific types of teen therapy?

Teen therapy comes in many forms, each designed to address different issues and suit different personalities. The type of therapy used can significantly impact the effectiveness of the treatment. It’s important to match the therapy type to the specific needs of the teenager to ensure they receive the most benefit. Each therapy type offers unique benefits and may be used alone or in combination depending on a teen’s individual needs and circumstances.  Here are some common types of teen therapy:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a common type of talk therapy that helps teens identify and change negative thought patterns that lead to harmful behaviors or feelings. The therapist works with the teen to develop coping strategies and problem-solving skills.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that emphasizes the psychosocial aspects of treatment. It teaches skills for mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. It’s particularly effective for teens with self-harming behaviors or borderline personality disorder.

Play Therapy

Play Therapy

Play therapy uses games, drawings, and other expressive tools to help younger adolescents or those who struggle with verbal communication express their feelings and work through their issues. It provides a safe, comfortable environment for them to express their thoughts and emotions.

Family Therapy

Family Therapy

In family therapy, the entire family unit is involved in the therapeutic process. This approach recognizes that family dynamics and communication patterns can contribute to a teen’s mental health issues. The goal is to improve these dynamics to promote healing and harmony within the family.

Group Therapy

Group Therapy

Group therapy involves one or more therapists working with several individuals at the same time. This format allows teens to learn from others’ experiences, practice social skills, and realize they’re not alone in their struggles.

Psychoeducation

Psychoeducation

This therapy type focuses on educating teens about their mental health conditions. Understanding the nature of their disorders and how they affect their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can empower teens to manage their symptoms effectively.

Elium Health

Speak To An Expert Near Me

The highly trained and welcoming mental health professionals at Elium Health are here to help answer any teen therapy questions you may have. Book an appointment with us or call us on: 866-552-3758

What role will therapy play in my teenager’s mental health treatment plan?

Therapy plays a crucial role in a teenager’s mental health treatment plan. It provides the necessary tools and strategies to manage symptoms, improve overall well-being, and enhance quality of life. A comprehensive treatment plan takes into account the unique needs and circumstances of each teen, and therapy is often a central component of this plan. Here are common steps that make up a teenager’s mental health treatment plan:

  • Psychological Evaluation: The first step in any treatment plan is a thorough assessment. This involves evaluating the teen’s mental, emotional, and physical health to identify any mental health disorders. The assessment may include interviews, questionnaires, and consultations with other healthcare providers.

  • Diagnosis: Based on the assessment, a mental health professional will diagnose the teen’s condition. This diagnosis guides the treatment plan, determining what types of therapy and other interventions will be most beneficial.

  • Therapeutic Intervention: This is where therapy comes into play. Depending on the diagnosis, different therapeutic approaches might be used, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), family therapy, group therapy, or others. The goal is to help the teen learn how to manage their symptoms, develop coping strategies, and improve their mental health.

  • Medication Management: In some cases, medication may be prescribed as part of the treatment plan. If this is the case, regular follow-ups will be necessary to monitor the teen’s response to the medication, manage any side effects, and adjust dosages if needed.
  • Follow-Up and Adjustment: Treatment plans are not set in stone. Regular follow-up appointments allow the therapist to monitor the teen’s progress and make adjustments to the treatment plan as necessary. This could involve changing the type of therapy, adjusting the frequency of sessions, or modifying other aspects of the plan.

Additional information about mental heath treatment, teen therapy, and Philadelphia

Continue reading for additional useful information about teen mental health therapy, mental health and Philadelphia.

Additional Stats and info about child therapy

Additional statistics and info about mental health and teen therapy

  • According to the CDC, over 10% of adolescents are affected by Anxiety and 6% affected by depression

  • Almost 17% of adolescents received mental health treatment in 2019 (NIH)
  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death of the 10-24 age group with rates increasing over 50% (CDC)

  • The 2022 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report states that “suicidal behaviors among high school students increased more than 40% in the decade before 2019”
  • The American Psychological Association says that “from March 2020 to October 2020, mental health–related emergency department visits increased 24% for children ages 5 to 11 and 31% for those aged 12 to 17”

What is Philadelphia known for?

What is Philadelphia known for?

Philadelphia, often referred to as “Philly,” is known for many things, from its rich history to its unique culinary scene. As one of the oldest cities in the United States, it played a significant role in the nation’s independence and is known as the birthplace of the U.S. The city is home to many iconic American historic moments and landmarks, such as the Liberty Bell, an enduring symbol of American freedom.

In addition to its historical significance, Philadelphia is also famous for its food. The city boasts a wide array of fine dining restaurants influenced by the diverse cultures of its immigrant population. One cannot talk about Philadelphia’s food scene without mentioning the Philly cheesesteak, a must-try culinary delight that has gained fame far beyond the city’s borders.

Sports also play a big part in Philadelphia’s identity, with passionate fans supporting their local teams across various sports, including the Eagles in football, the Phillies in baseball, the 76ers in basketball, and the Flyers in hockey. Furthermore, the city is recognized for its lush gardens, earning it the nickname “America’s Garden Capital”.

Lastly, Philadelphia’s reputation extends to the world of entertainment. It is the setting for the popular TV show “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and houses attractions like the Philadelphia Zoo. 

In essence, Philadelphia is a city of diversity and contrasts, seamlessly blending its historical heritage with modern culture, making it a fascinating place to explore.

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