Stress management Therapy for Teens & Young Adults in Denver

Stress. We can't avoid it. From the morning grogginess we feel when we wake up, to the balancing act of careers, relationships, and health. The fact is, we feel stress each day. What matters most is how we approach stress.

As a teenager or young adult, you probably feel like you have a lot on your plate (and frankly, you do!) You face unique stressors; the demands of school, college or career choices, personal relationships, identity struggles, and that whole scary "adulting" thing (plus so much more.) This time in your life is so crucial to your overall development, that to effectively manage your stress, you have to develop a lot of specialized skills, skills that may or may not come easily to you.

That's where Interfaith Bridge Counseling comes in. We're here to help you learn those time management skills to juggle multiple responsibilities, figure out those values that help you set goals that make you feel fulfilled, and find other Colorado teens and young adults you can lean on and grow with.

[Image] Black tween with bag pack holding a book overhead and screaming. Denver Teen Stress Management..
[Image] COVID conscious teen girl with glasses and long faded pink hair looking forward. Denver Young Adult Therapy for Stress.
[Image] Hispanic young adult with crossed arms in blue shirt and green hat, seeming stressed and upset. Denver Teen Stress Managment Therapy.

What is Stress Management for Teens & Young Adults?

Stress management for teens or young adults looks similar to stress management for adults. Interfaith Bridge Counseling empowers teens and young adults through our 4-step support program, we help teens identify their stressors and the emotional, cognitive, and somatic responses to those stressors. We focus on helping teens and young adults develop healthy coping mechanisms that are unique to their life’s challenges and stress responses. For some teens, this means more physical skills like abdominal breathing and guided meditation, and for others, this may be learning how to voice their opinions and values in a way that helps them get heard.

Why is Stress Manage for Teens & Young Adults Important?

Life for young people is incredibly fast-paced and demanding. While having a stressful life may be considered normal (or maybe even expected) in today's society, it's becoming overwhelming for many teens and young adults. When stress gets the best of us, it can cause lasting physical, emotional, and psychological damage. Studies show that chronic stress, left unmanaged, is particularly harmful to young adults, and can lead to even more difficulty adapting to and managing stress in the future.

Teens and young adults who do not manage their stress levels are more susceptible to:

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Self-Harm and/or Substance Use

  • Chronic Illness

  • And Other Physical and Psychological Conditions

Participating in therapy to learn how to manage stress is something we feel all adolescents should do, but unfortunately, we don't write the rules (nor do we believe forcing anything on anyone is helpful). What we can do, though, is show you what you can look forward to by learning different tools and techniques to manage your stress.

Benefits of Beginning Teen & Young Adult Stress Management Therapy

  • [Image] Teal scribble above words "Resilience to Future Challenges."

    Resilience to Future Challenges

  • [Image] Teal scribble above words "Self-Advocacy."

    Self-Advocacy

  • [Image] Teal scribble above words "Stronger, More Authentic Relationships."

    Stronger, More Authentic Relationships

  • [Image] Teal scribble above words "Better Physical, Mental, and Emotional Wellbeing."

    Better Physical, Mental, and Emotional Wellbeing

[Image] Caucasian young adult with prosthetic arm holding chin and blue and pink hair. Denver Young Adult Therapy for Stress.
[Image] Young adult black male with glasses in yellow shirt, rubbing eyes out of frustration. Denver Teen Therapy for Stress..
[Image] Indigenous young adult with long black hair, looking forward and seeming disappointed. Denver Young Adult Stress Management.

Self-Harm as a Symptom of Stress in Teens & Young Adults

Stress knows how to worm its way into us physically, emotionally, mentally, and behaviorally, but one of the most common ways it rears its ugly head is through self-harm. 

Self-harm are behaviors and/or actions we perform when we are overwhelmed by our pain and stress. And it isn't just about physical self-harm; it can look like compulsive lying, locking yourself in your room, or denying yourself any downtime. Self-harm is a common way teens and young adults (and yes, even adults) combat stress.

Our job as therapists is to help you acknowledge this survival behavior, understand your underlying emotions and triggers, and build more sustainable coping skills for stress.

Other Symptoms of Stress in Teens & Young Adults

We know stress is a common experience among teens and young adults, but we also acknowledge that its effects can manifest in a variety of ways. These are just a few examples of how stress can show in us, so remember that if you don't see a symptom you're experiencing, it may still very well be stress:

Physical Symptoms of Stress:

  • Changes in appetite

  • Stomachaches, headaches, or other bodily discomforts

  • Fatigue/Changes in sleep patterns

  • Restlessness or hyperactivity

Emotional Symptoms of Stress:

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Irritability or mood swings

  • Feeling easily overwhelmed or frustrated

  • Loss of self-esteem or self-worth

Cognitive Symptoms of Stress

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Difficulty making decisions or poor judgment

  • Memory issues

  • Disorganization

Behavioral Symptoms of Stress

Withdrawal from friends or family

  • Increased risk-taking behavior (self-harm, substance abuse, sexual activity, and more)

  • Self-criticism or negative self-talk

  • Physical tics (nail-biting, hair-pulling, foot tapping, pacing, etc.)

Common Things Teens & Young Adults Stress About

  • [Image] Teal scribble above words "Academics."

    Academics

    The expectation of excelling in school, participating in extracurriculars, and preparing for future careers can be incredibly stressful (hello perfectionism!) Balancing schoolwork with other responsibilities can be challenging, leading to feelings of stress and burnout.

  • [Image] Teal scribble above words "Social (Media) Pressures."

    Social (Media) Pressures

    In this age of social media, we're constantly bombarded with curated images of success, beauty, and happiness. Comparing ourselves to others online and in person can lead to feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, and self-doubt. The fear of rejection, judgment, or FOMO is real and can cause our self-confidence to plummet and our stress levels to rocket.

  • [Image] Teal scribble above words "Relationships."

    Relationships

    Whether it's navigating romantic relationships, friendships, or family dynamics, interpersonal relationships can be a significant source of stress for young adults. Conflicts, misunderstandings, and changes in dynamics can leave us feeling emotionally drained and overwhelmed. This makes it even harder to maintain authentic relationships.

  • [Image] Teal scribble above words "Finances & Careers."

    Finances & Careers

    Balancing a budget, paying off student loans, and covering living expenses can weigh heavily on us. Pair that with the pressure to choose a career path and establish yourself in the workforce… and you have the perfect stress sandwich.

  • [Image] Teal scribble above words "Identity Exploration."

    Identity Exploration

    Being a young adult can be an incredibly exciting time, a time of self-discovery and exploration. However, that process of exploring our values, beliefs, and identity can be accompanied by feelings of confusion, insecurity, and self-doubt, leading us to feel unmoored and, frankly, stressed out.

Find a Colorado Stress Management Therapist

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ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Shannon Browning

She/Her

Professional Counseling Intern

[Image] Asian young adult poking her head out in front of a graffiti art wall smiling, offering therapy for tweens, teens, and young adults in Denver, Colorado.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Jillene Chio

She/Her

Professional Counseling Intern

Rani Ellison

They/Them/She/Her

Professional Counseling Intern

[Image] Scribble picture of Caucasian woman with hands on her head in front of a graffiti painted wall. Denver Teen Therapist

Lena McCain MA, LPC

Founder & Clinical Director

She/Her/Hers

Pricing: We operate on a pay-what-you-can scale between $60 - $140 per session for individual counseling services at Interfaith Bridge Counseling, PLLC. We also accept Health First Colorado Medicaid with CO Access and Rocky Mountain Health Plan.

Outside our age range but still want to work with us? Don’t worry! Just reach out and let us know.