by Lauren Goodman | Aug 22, 2026 | Therapy for Chronically Ill Teens
Therapy for Chronic Illness in Teens
Therapy for chronic illness can help with one important layer of living with chronic sickness or chronic pain. Think of chronic illness as having several layers. At the bottom is the underlying medical condition causing the illness, such as POTS or cancer. The second layer is the physical symptoms, which may include dizziness, joint pain, exhaustion, and more. The top layer is where therapy can be especially helpful. This includes the stress, fear, isolation, and emotional struggles that can come from living with a chronic illness.
Your teenager may feel isolated or depressed because their illness has changed what they can do and how they live. They may also become afraid of causing a flare-up or making their symptoms worse by being more active. These emotional parts of chronic illness and chronic pain can take a toll on your teen’s relationships and overall quality of life.
Counseling can be very helpful with this top layer. So, why should you consider therapy if your teen has a chronic illness or pain? Therapy can help reduce isolation, work through fears about relapse or flare-ups, and help your teen stay as active as they safely can. It can also help them find purpose and joy, even when life doesn’t look the way they hoped it would. In other words, some form of counseling or support for chronically ill teens can make a meaningful difference.
An Example Case: Therapy for a Teen with POTS
When someone has a condition like POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), they may spend a lot of time feeling dizzy. Some people also experience fainting. This can happen when they get too hot, go from lying down to standing, or sometimes without much warning at all. Knowing that you could faint unexpectedly or suddenly feel very dizzy can create a lot of fear.
Several years ago, I saw my first client with POTS. I’m honestly surprised she came to me because at the time I had no experience with chronic illness. In fact, I hadn’t received my own lupus diagnosis (an autoimmune disorder) yet, although I was already not feeling well on a regular basis.
This sweet, gentle, and kind teenager was living with constant anxiety. As we worked together, it became clear that she was extremely afraid of getting dizzy. When she had been at her sickest, the room spun so badly that she didn’t even want to open her eyes. She spent days, and eventually months, in bed.
So, how did therapy for chronic illness help her? She was originally referred to me because I had experience using cognitive behavioral therapy with teenagers. As we worked together, it became clear that she had already done much of the medical work necessary to manage her POTS. What remained was another layer of suffering caused by the fear and anxiety surrounding her symptoms.
Layering for the Teen with POTS
At the root of this particular teen’s struggles was POTS. The second layer was her physical symptoms. She experienced significant brain fog, dizziness, nausea, and occasional fainting. The top layer was her fear of fainting unexpectedly. Over time, that fear grew into a fear of dizziness because, to her, dizziness meant that fainting might be coming next. She developed a great deal of anxiety.
In an effort to avoid fainting, she spent hours lying in bed each day. Over time, she became physically weaker and more socially isolated, which only increased her anxiety. The problem was that anxiety itself causes brain fog and dizziness when it’s intense enough. So how was she supposed to tell which symptoms were caused by POTS and which were caused by anxiety? After attending the Mayo Clinic PRC in Rochester, MN, she came home with a better understanding of how to manage many of her physical symptoms—the middle layer.
She still experienced some dizziness and brain fog related to anxiety. This is where therapy for chronic illness made a significant difference. Using cognitive behavioral therapy methods, she learned to face her fear of dizziness and challenge the anxiety surrounding it. In her case, the Mayo Clinic doctors explained that there wasn’t a direct cure for the underlying condition, POTS, but that it could be managed. Through a lot of hard work, her life improved enough for her to return to school and begin socializing again.
Counseling for Chronic Illness
So, how does therapy help with chronic illness? Counseling isn’t medical healthcare, so it doesn’t treat the root cause of your child’s illness. It also has limited impact on the middle layer—the physical symptoms that you and your teen work to manage through medical care.
However, counseling for chronically ill teens can be very helpful with the top layer. It can help your teen understand when their discomfort may be connected to their physical illness and when stress or anxiety may be making their experience worse. By reducing stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression, therapy for chronic illness can help bring the overall intensity of suffering down a notch or two.
Support for the Family
The counseling process can also help families who are living alongside someone with chronic pain or illness. As a parent, you have to walk a difficult line. You want to help your teen when they truly need you, but you also don’t want to do things for them that they are capable of doing themselves. If you do too much, your teen may begin to lose confidence in what they can handle. On the other hand, if you expect too much, you may push them beyond what their body can manage.
It can be incredibly difficult to know where that line is. You don’t want to seem unsympathetic, but you also don’t want to unintentionally prevent your teenager from living as fully as possible. Therapy can help you figure out the balance of flexibility, support, and encouragement your chronically ill adolescent needs from you.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
by Lauren Goodman | Aug 15, 2026 | Christian Counseling
Why Talking to Your teen About Sex is Important
Talking with your teen about sex can feel really uncomfortable, and you’re not alone if you dread it. Many parents feel unsure about where to start, what to say, or how much detail is appropriate—and because of that, it’s easy to put the conversation off.
The challenge is that if we don’t talk about it, someone else will. Most teens first learn about sex from their peers, not from trusted adults. That means the information they’re getting is often incomplete, exaggerated, or just plain wrong. Even in fourth and fifth grade, kids may start hearing jokes or comments they don’t fully understand. By middle school, many have already been exposed to stories about other teens and sexual behavior, often in ways that are confusing or overwhelming. And within a few years, sex becomes a regular topic in their social world.
So it’s worth pausing to ask: where do you want your child to get their understanding of sex and relationships? Because at some point, they will be exposed to pornography, sexual messaging online, or peer pressure around sexting and dating behavior. That exposure is almost unavoidable in today’s world. The real question is whether they’ll navigate it alone—or whether they’ll have your voice helping them make sense of it.
As a parent, you don’t have to have all the perfect words. But your perspective matters. Your teen needs more than peer opinions shaping their understanding of sex—they need your guidance, your values, and a safe place to come with questions.
How to Talk to Your Teen About Sex
First of all, how do you even bring up the conversation? It’s not exactly a topic that naturally comes up during dinner. Most parents have to be intentional about it. How to talk to your teen about sex can feel awkward at best and completely dreadful at worst. If you’re feeling nervous about the conversation, just imagine your teen! They’re at an age when awkward can feel like a permanent state of being. It may help to say something simple like, “I’m a little uncomfortable talking with you about this, but I think it’s important.”
Then find out what your teen already knows about sex. What have they heard from their peers? Gently correct any misconceptions. Ask what they think about sex and how they believe it should be approached. If your family has specific values around sex and relationships, this is a good time to explain them. You can also talk about how to handle situations where they feel uncomfortable or pressured.
How Much of Your Own Experience Should You Share?
This is where many parents get stuck. Should you share your own story? And if so, how much is too much? A good rule of thumb is this: share with purpose, not impulse. If you talk about your own teen years, make sure it connects back to a lesson or value—not just a story for the sake of storytelling. If you made mistakes, you can absolutely acknowledge that. In fact, teens often respond better to honesty than perfection. But always bring it back to what you learned and why it matters now.
If you have religious or moral beliefs about sexuality, explain the reasoning, not just the rule. For example, instead of only saying “we wait until marriage,” you might explain what that value is meant to protect—trust, emotional safety, commitment, and intimacy within a secure relationship. Teens are far more likely to engage when they understand why something matters, instead of just being told to do it.
You can also answer practical questions about the physical side of sex. Teens often pick up misinformation from peers, social media, or jokes that are wildly inaccurate (and sometimes honestly absurd). And yes—you may need to work hard not to laugh. This is also a good time to talk about sexual health and safety. While abstinence is the only 100% effective way to prevent pregnancy and STIs, not every teen makes that choice. That’s a reality many families have to navigate. Even if your teen doesn’t need that information right now, accurate education can help them make safer decisions later—or support a friend who needs help.
How to Talk About Sexuality in Today’s Culture
Talking about sex also opens the door to bigger conversations—puberty, relationships, body changes, media influence, and what they’re seeing online or at school. These aren’t always comfortable topics, but they are necessary. Your teen is almost certainly already hearing about them. The only question is whether your voice is part of that mix.
You don’t have to agree with everything in today’s culture. But you do want to stay connected to your teen while you talk about it. When it comes to topics like sexual orientation or gender identity, start by listening. Ask what they’ve heard, what they think, and what questions they have. Listen carefully to see if your teen is questioning their own sexual or gender identity or not. Either way, the foundation should always be the same: people deserve respect, dignity, and kindness, no matter what.
Once your teen feels heard, you can share your family’s beliefs and values in a calm, grounded way. This is harder than it used to be. Phones, social media, and constant exposure to information mean teens are navigating far more complexity than most of us did at their age. But that’s exactly why your presence matters.
Sex and Your Teen’s Phone
Here’s the reality: your teen will encounter sexual content on their phone. So part of talking about sex has to include talking about what they’re seeing online. That might be sexual jokes, suggestive content, explicit images, or even pressure from peers to send or receive inappropriate photos. And sometimes, it includes pornography or private viewing habits that parents have no idea about.
Even responsible, well-adjusted teens can struggle with this in secret. The goal here isn’t panic—it’s openness. If you respond with curiosity instead of anger, your teen is far more likely to be honest with you. And honesty is what keeps them safe.
Talking to Your Teen About Sexual Violence
I really wish I didn’t have to include this topic. Sadly, if you’re going to talk about sex with your teenager, you need to touch on sexual violence as well. Make sure your teen understands that alcohol and other substances can make it harder for people to make safe decisions and recognize when someone is unable to consent. Encourage your teen to avoid situations where alcohol or other substances could put them or someone else at risk.
Final Thoughts
Talking about sex with your teen simply isn’t easy. There’s no way around it. Some parents have put the conversation off, while others have been talking about these topics in age-appropriate ways for years. Wherever you are, it’s okay to start there.
Keep in mind that your teenager probably doesn’t want to have this conversation either. Be prepared to do just as much listening as talking. Most importantly, remember that if you don’t talk to them about sex, someone else will. Your voice and your guidance is a vital part of your teenager’s development.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
by Lauren Goodman | Aug 13, 2026 | Therapy for Chronically Ill Teens
What Do Chronically Ill Teens Experience?
If your teenager is living with a chronic illness, you know they may feel different from their peers. The limitations your teen faces are likely different from those of other teenagers, but what teens with chronic illnesses tend to forget is that there are still many experiences they have in common. Every chronically ill teen we’ve worked with at Teen Therapy OC has struggled with feeling “other” or different from their peers. Every young man and woman wants to do what other teens are doing without limitations. CBT for chronically ill teens can help ease some of this emotional pain and help teens regain their joy.
Chronically ill teens need to find a careful balance between doing as much as they can while also knowing when to slow down. If your son or daughter pushes too hard, they may experience a physical setback, which can make them feel even more isolated. If your teenager spends most of their time worrying about how to prevent a flare-up of physical symptoms, their life can become focused on carefully following rules instead of enjoying the moment. CBT can help them combat this.
How Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Help Chronically Ill Teens?
Real Life Examples
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, usually called CBT, helps your child challenge self-imposed emotional and sometimes physical limitations. One chronically ill teenager I worked with developed POTS and EDS at age 16. Before becoming sick, she had been the life of the party, the most energetic, and one of the most athletic people in her friend group. When she could no longer maintain the energy needed to fill those roles, she completely withdrew from her social circle. We used CBT for chronically ill teens to challenge her belief that she was “only a valuable friend if she can entertain everyone.”
Another young woman was dealing with a physical condition that caused dizziness and fainting. Because of this, she developed a fear of going out in public unless she could be seated. I can completely understand how this fear developed; I would be scared too. She eventually underwent treatment that stopped the fainting, but the dizziness continued. Whenever she felt dizzy, she became afraid that she would faint, to the point that she stopped going out with friends altogether. The resulting social isolation became depressing. We used CBT to help her challenge her fear of feeling dizzy. Once she was able to face that fear, she started socializing more, which helped bring more joy back into her life.
CBT Increases Mental Flexibility in Adolescents
CBT can help increase your chronically ill teenager’s mental flexibility. Oftentimes, teens want to do things the same way they did before they became sick. However, that may no longer be possible. Your teenager may need to learn how to participate in activities as much as they can while also being willing to modify them. We challenge all-or-nothing and black-and-white thinking about what life can look like. Your teen can likely do more than they think. In my experience, I rarely see a chronically ill teen who consistently overdoes it. More often, the effort to control flare-ups and difficult symptoms causes teens to pull back farther than necessary.
For example, instead of no longer seeing friends, why not invite them over to watch a movie? There are many ways to participate in an activity without doing everything exactly as you did before. For your teen, partially participating can do a lot to maintain joy, connection, and mental health. When these areas of life improve, your teen may also be more likely to maintain some level of physical activity. This can support their overall health as well.
Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain Aren’t Easy for Teens
At Teen Therapy OC, we know having a chronically ill teen isn’t easy. We know this isn’t what any of you signed up for or how you expected life to go. We agree that it’s hard, and we wish you weren’t facing this. However, learning to first accept what cannot be changed and then find ways to live life as fully as possible may be the best option your teenager has right now. CBT can help with this. Please feel free to reach out with questions. While we don’t pretend to have all the answers, we may have a few ideas that could improve your teen’s quality of life.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
by Lauren Goodman | Aug 13, 2026 | Teen Anxiety Therapy
What To Do When Your Teen is Dealing with Academic Stress
One thing all adolescents have in common is that at some point or another school stresses them out. Whether they’re given a tough assignment, they need a certain grade on a final exam to pass the class, or anything in between, academic stress is hard to deal with. This is what makes knowing how to help teens with academic stress so important.
5 Tips on How to Help Teens with Academic Stress
Here are 5 tips to help your teenager cope with school stress:
1. Help Them Keep the Big Picture in Mind.
Remind your teen that a high school grade or class doesn’t define who they are as a person. It’s the effort they make and the ability to cope with challenges that matters.
2. Give Them Guidance on How to Seek Out the Help They Need
One way to help teens with academic stress is teaching them how to find important resources. As your teenager gets older, you should do less of the actual calling/emailing teachers and tutors for them. Instead, teach them how they can get help and access resources on their own.
3. Teach Them to Break Problems Into Small Pieces.
When your teen gets large assignment like a long paper or project, it can feel overwhelming. Teach them to make a checklist of steps to get the assignment done. Kids who learn to patiently outline papers, research carefully, write a draft, edit their draft, and then turn in their papers tend to get better grades. They also learn huge life skills about time management and planning.
4. Help Your Teen Learn to Pace Themself Slowly
Studying a little bit every day will benefit your teen more than studying in spurts. Help your teen learn that even on days they have no homework assignments, they should still be working on school. If they take the time to work when there’s no work assigned, then they can stay ahead. This reduces future stress.
5. Teach Them to Study in Groups
If your child is stressed about how to handle a difficult class, it can really help if they get together with a few of their friends who have the same class. It makes it more fun, and it makes it easier to stick with it for longer. Different students understand different parts of the material. If they work together, they can help each other learn.
What You Can Do to Help Teens Dealing with Academic Stress
School can feel overwhelming at times. One of the best things you can do is help your teenager develop a plan for managing their workload. Teens aren’t always great at following through on their plans, so you may need to gently help them stay on track.
It’s also important to recognize your child’s limits. If your teen is working as hard as they can and earning a 2.5 GPA, don’t pressure them to become a 3.5 student. Over time, they may begin to feel like nothing they do is ever good enough. Instead, focus on effort, growth, and progress.
Most importantly, remind your teenager that they don’t have to face academic challenges alone. With support, encouragement, and a good plan, they can work through even the classes and assignments that feel impossible right now.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
by Lauren Goodman | Aug 8, 2026 | Group Therapy For Teens
Benefits of Group Therapy for Teens: Why Connection Matters
Suddenly, everything seems so uncertain in life. There’s drama with friends, crushes develop, and you may be feeling more pressure to succeed in academics and sports to have a bright future. Plus, teens aren’t always nice to each other, so there can be a lot to handle during the teenage years. One or the benefits of group therapy for teens is that it can help teenagers feel less alone while learning how to manage these challenges.
While childhood mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or ADHD can develop during the early years, the teenage years are often when these conditions become more difficult to manage. Group therapy can be effective in helping teenagers deal with the pressures of growing up and develop lasting coping skills that they can carry into adulthood.
What Is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is a mental health service where people come together, either virtually or in person. During these sessions, they talk about the challenges they are facing. One or more licensed therapists who specialize in child and teen therapy lead and moderate group therapy sessions for teenagers.
Many different types of group therapy are available for teenagers. These sessions can be general or focused on specific issues that teens may face. Specialized group therapy sessions can focus on:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Depression
- Trauma
- Social anxiety
- Grief
- Chronic pain or illness
- Weight perception challenges
- ADHD
- Intense Reactions
- …and so much more!
What Are the Benefits of Group Therapy for Teens?
Support From Peers
It’s hard not to feel lonely when you are a teenager. When it feels like everyone and everything is against you, it can be an isolating experience. You may feel like no one gets you or understands what you’re going through.
Group therapy can change that experience. It can help teens find support from their peers and connect with people they never expected to have things in common with. It can also reduce the stigma surrounding mental health by showing teens that many people experience similar struggles.
Raises Self-Awareness
One of the benefits of group therapy for teens is that it can increase self-awareness and compassion. We all do it: We look at the issues we face in life and can only see things from our own perspective. Group therapy provides constructive feedback and different viewpoints that you may not have considered before.
Sharing your struggles with others can also be empowering. We often think about what we’re facing and feel completely alone. While every situation and person is unique, it can be surprising to discover that other teenagers are dealing with similar challenges.
It Teaches Social Skills
Group therapy for teenagers is a great way to focus on healthy communication and conflict resolution. It can teach teens how to be less reactive and more thoughtful when interacting with other teens or adults.
You can also learn to read body language and understand what someone may mean beyond their exact words. These skills can be challenging to develop during the teenage years, but they can benefit you for the rest of your life.
Increases Motivation
Learning that you are not alone in what you’re going through can be highly empowering. This sense of connection can help you think about your long-term goals and make positive changes. While adults don’t always give teenagers enough credit, teens have goals and dreams they want to reach, too. Seeing other people work toward their goals can be a powerful motivator to do the same, no matter your age.
How Can Group Therapy Benefit Your Teen?
If your teen is struggling, group therapy can support their mental and social growth in a meaningful way. It can also be a more affordable option if you’re exploring therapy but feeling concerned about cost. If you’d like to learn more about group therapy for teens or other mental health services, don’t hesitate to reach out to Jazmine, our group therapist who provides free 15 minute consultations. We’re happy to talk with you about your teen and help you figure out the next step for your family.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
