Helping Your Teen Through Anxiety

Anxiety in teens can look like anger, avoidance, or shutting down — not just worry. Here’s how to support your teen without making it bigger.

Validate first, fix later

“That sounds really hard” goes further than “you’ll be fine.” Teens open up when they feel understood, not managed. Curiosity beats lectures.

When to consider therapy

If anxiety is affecting sleep, school, friendships, or lasting more than a few weeks, a therapist who specializes in teens can help — sometimes with the family, sometimes one-on-one.