CBT FOR TEEN ANXIETY

Why Is My Teen So Anxious?

Teen anxiety is most often caused by heightened stress sensitivity combined with avoidance and overthinking patterns that keep the nervous system in a constant state of alert. Academic pressure, social stress, and fear of failure can intensify these patterns during adolescence.

Parents may notice school avoidance, irritability, panic symptoms, perfectionism, or withdrawal from friends and activities. Teens often understand their anxiety logically but still feel unable to stop it.

At Abridged Psychology, we provide Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for teen anxiety, an evidence-based approach that helps teens build practical coping skills while guiding parents on how to respond in ways that support independence and confidence

How Anxiety Shows Up in Teens

Anxiety in teens often presents as:

• Avoidance of school, social situations, or responsibilities
  
  
• Panic symptoms or intense physical reactions
  
  
• Overthinking, rumination, or fear of making mistakes
  
  
• Perfectionism or excessive self-criticism
  
  
• Difficulty sleeping, concentrating, or managing stress
  
  
• Irritability, emotional outbursts, or emotional withdrawal
  
  

CBT helps teens understand how these patterns work and teaches them skills to respond differently so anxiety does not limit their choices or growth.

Anxiety Concerns We Commonly Treat in Teens

Our clinicians use CBT to treat a range of anxiety-related concerns in adolescents, including:

• Generalized anxiety
  
  
• Social anxiety
  
  
• Panic attacks and panic disorder
  
  
• School avoidance
  
  
• Performance anxiety
  
  
• Health anxiety
  
  

Treatment is always individualized and developmentally appropriate.

What Teen Anxiety Therapy Looks Like at Abridged Psychology

While treatment is tailored to each teen, CBT for teen anxiety typically includes:

Assessment and goal setting

We work with teens (and parents when appropriate) to understand symptoms, stressors, and how anxiety affects school, relationships, and daily life.

Understanding the anxiety cycle

Teens learn how anxiety is maintained through thoughts, behaviors, and physical reactions.

Skill development

Sessions focus on practical tools, such as cognitive strategies, emotional regulation skills, behavioral experiments, and exposure planning when appropriate.

Gradual exposure and practice

Teens practice facing avoided situations in manageable steps, building confidence over time.

Parent check-ins and support

Parents receive guidance on how to support progress without increasing anxiety or power struggles.

Progress monitoring

We regularly review progress and adjust treatment to keep therapy focused and effective.

Should Parents Be Involved in Teen Anxiety Therapy?

Parent involvement is often helpful, but it typically looks different for teens than it does for younger children

CBT helps parents learn how to:

• Reduce unintentional accommodations
  
  
• Support independence without pushing too hard
  
  
• Improve communication around anxiety
  
  
• Encourage skill use outside of sessions
  
  

Our goal is to support teens’ growing autonomy while keeping parents appropriately informed and involved.

Is CBT a Good Fit for My Teen?

CBT may be a good fit if your teen:

• Avoids school, social situations, or responsibilities due to anxiety
  
  
• Experiences panic symptoms or constant stress
  
  
• Overthinks, worries excessively, or fears making mistakes
  
  
• Feels anxious in ways that interfere with daily functioning
  
  

CBT may not be the best fit if you are looking for an unstructured or purely exploratory therapy approach.

Our Clinical Approach

At Abridged Psychology, teen anxiety treatment is provided by clinicians trained in evidence-based CBT, with experience working with adolescents and families.

We emphasize:

• Thoughtful assessment
  
  
• Developmentally appropriate interventions
  
  
• Collaboration with parents
  
  
• Measurement-informed care
  
  
• A balance of compassion and accountability
  
  

Our goal is not to eliminate anxiety completely, but to help teens function confidently even when anxiety shows up.

Getting Started

If anxiety is interfering with your teen’s school performance, relationships, or confidence, CBT may help.

We offer teen anxiety therapy in person, via telehealth, or through a hybrid model, depending on clinical fit and availability.

The first step is a consultation, where we’ll discuss concerns, answer questions, and determine whether CBT is the right approach for your teen.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How long does therapy take for teen anxiety?

CBT is typically more time-limited than other therapy approaches. Many teens see meaningful improvement within several months, depending on the severity and consistency of practice.

Does CBT work for teenagers?

Yes. CBT is considered a first-line treatment for adolescent anxiety and has strong research support.

Will my teen always have anxiety?

Most teens learn how to manage anxiety effectively. The goal is not to eliminate anxiety completely, but to prevent it from limiting development and independence.

Will my teen be seen alone?

Teens typically meet individually with the therapist. Parent involvement is incorporated thoughtfully and collaboratively, based on the teen’s age, needs, and treatment goals, so parents can support progress without undermining independence.