The Rise in Teen Anxiety: What Parents Should Know About Therapy for Teens in Roswell, GA

Anxiety
Written By Kristen Shoemaker

By Madeline Verdesca, MA

Do you or someone you know struggle with anxiety? The number of teens struggling with anxiety has been steadily on the rise for some time, but we are now seeing anxiety in teens and adolescents in numbers that “are double [those] of pre-pandemic estimates” (Racine et al., 2021). As of 2021, it’s likely that one in five youth experiences clinically significant anxiety (Racine et al., 2021). These numbers are worth serious consideration, and they highlight the growing need for accessible therapy for teens in Roswell, GA. Why do we see anxiety in teens climbing so fast? Research suggests that some of the main factors include pressures based on achievement, technology, and social media, and the increasingly tense climate of world events.

Academic Pressures and the Weight of Achievement

Over time, the belief that a college degree is necessary for success has grown more and more. While America has more recently started to lose its faith in college degrees guaranteeing them the American Dream (Tough, 2023), this belief has grown so powerful that it has had a lasting effect on the American school system–and therefore our younger generations. While implemented with good intentions, standardized testing often directly impacts school funding and graduation, which “can place undue stress on students and affect their performance” (American University School of Education, 2020). This puts more pressure on young people than ever before to achieve at high levels, knowing that the consequences of not measuring up can affect the rest of their future.

A teen girl gazes calmly into the camera with a quiet strength, representing the resilience teens can develop through therapy for teens in Roswell, GA.

Technology, Screen Time, and Their Mental Health Toll

With advancements in technology, many teens spend most of their day looking at screens, whether they are in class, completing homework, or relaxing in their free time. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that children aged 8-12 had an average of 4-6 hours of daily screen time, while teens had an average of up to 9 hours of daily screen time. The Yale School of Medicine reported in 2023 that increased screen time was directly linked to higher levels of “internalizing problems”, and that “internalizing problems include depression, anxiety, social anxiety, somatic complaints, and other concerns”.

Filmmaker, comedian, and musician, Bo Burnham, known for sharing his thoughts about the impact the internet has had on the human psyche, shared in an interview that, “My impulse really was that the more I engaged with the internet, the less authority I felt I had over it… How is [the internet] interfacing with our hearts? …We just need to take emotional inventory. Because I don’t think we’ve even begun to describe what the internet is, let alone be able to talk about it” (Noah & Burnham, 2018).

Social Media, Global Tragedy, and Uncertainty

Social media is one major way our teens connect to the greater world, and with the instant global access we have at our fingertips, the tragedies roll by like we used to scroll through a Rolodex. Tragedies that directly impact our teens, such as school shootings, and those on the other side of the world, like major political conflicts, only add to the stress of our young people. And there is so little they can do about any of it. Anxiety feeds on uncertainty and our perceived lack of control (Gallagher et al., 2014).

The Double-Edged Sword of Parental Protection

Author Jonathan Haidt writes, “We have overprotected children in the real world and under-protected them in the virtual world.” Oftentimes, parents shield their children from physical real-world issues, and they may be less vigilant about the dangers lurking in the online realm, potentially leading to a decline in mental health and development.

Here's a more detailed breakdown of the concept:

1. Overprotection in the Real World:

  • Reduced Independence. Some argue that parents are overly cautious about allowing children to take risks in the real world, such as independent play, exploring their neighborhoods, or engaging in activities that might involve some level of danger.

  • Fear of Negative Experiences. This fear can lead to children being shielded from experiences that are necessary for developing resilience, problem-solving skills, and a sense of self-efficacy.

2. Under-protection in the Virtual World:

  • Lack of Awareness of Online Risks. Parents may not be fully aware of the potential dangers of the internet, such as cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, online grooming, and the negative impacts of excessive screen time.

  • Unregulated Online Environments. Unlike the real world, where there are often clear rules and guidelines, the virtual world can be a space with less regulation and fewer safeguards, potentially exposing children to harmful influences.

3. Consequences of the Imbalance:

  • Increased Anxiety and Mental Health Issues. The combination of overprotection in the real world and underprotection online can contribute to increased anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges in young people. Adolescents have a sense of insecurity when they are not encouraged to embrace challenging experiences in real life.

  • Social and Emotional Development. The lack of opportunities for real-world interaction and problem-solving can negatively impact children's social and emotional development, making it harder for them to navigate the complexities of relationships and build resilience. When teens are not taught how to interact with others in a face-to-face capacity, and merely through online platforms, they lack the skills and confidence to engage in real-life situations.

  • Technological Addiction. Excessive screen time and engagement in online activities can lead to addiction, further isolating children from the real world and hindering their development. Technology addiction, like other forms of addiction, significantly alters brain function and structure, particularly impacting areas involved in reward, decision-making, and cognitive control. It can lead to reduced gray and white matter, altered neural connectivity, and disruptions in brain activity related to attention and executive functions.

When to Seek Therapy for Teens in Roswell, GA: Recognizing the Signs of Anxiety

A teen covers part of her face with her hand, conveying shyness or emotional overwhelm. Therapy for teens in Roswell, GA helps young people find confidence and coping tools for anxiety.

The good news is, if you or someone you love struggles with anxiety, there is hope. Anxiety has been shown to be very treatable. First, get to know the signs to spot anxiety, so you can quickly stop it in its tracks, or even prevent it from taking root in the first place. Anxiety looks like uncontrollable worry, fear, or hyperarousal (physically heightened stress, or persistent fight-or-flight response). Someone who struggles with clinically significant anxiety might feel restless and on edge, easily tired and fatigued, have difficulty concentrating, often lose their train of thought, be more irritable, experience muscle tension, and/or have difficulty falling or staying asleep most of the days of the week (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).

If these symptoms sound familiar, working with a therapist who specializes in therapy for teens in Roswell, GA, can be an incredibly helpful next step. It's also important to delineate between anxiety and stress. Feelings of anxiety can be prolonged and negatively impact functioning. Stress responses can occur in the body around positive and negative situations.

What is Stress?

Stress is generally a response to an external trigger, such as a looming deadline or a major life change, and can be either acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). Interestingly, stress isn't always negative; eustress is a form of positive stress that can motivate and enhance performance (like pre-game nerves or the excitement before a big presentation).

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety tends to be more internalized and persistent. It's not always tied to a specific stressor and can linger even when no clear threat or challenge is present. Chronic anxiety can interfere with daily functioning and may lead to disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety, or panic disorder.

Creating a Supportive Environment for Teens: Therapy for Teens in Roswell

After identifying the signs of anxiety, it’s important to ensure you are fostering an environment of open and honest communication, which can counteract the stress of internal or outside pressures. To do this, we encourage parents to reward their child’s honesty and support their expression of feelings. Find a way that works for your family to reward honesty of feelings and struggles while honoring the structure of appropriate boundaries around technology and other avenues that may be causing anxiety. This way, all parties are aware of the expectations and the best path to meeting these expectations ahead of time. Make sure your teen knows that honesty is the easiest road back to you.

Addressing the Role of Social Media Use

Talk about social media use. Teens who cut their social media use by 50%, even just for a few weeks, felt significantly better about both their weight and their overall appearance (American Psychological Association, 2023).

Don’t forget to consult your pediatrician or medical health professional to ask about ways to support health and well-being and explore any possible medical sources for anxiety. Often, if setting clearer boundaries and encouraging good communication and affirmation with your teen does not assist in lowering their anxiety, parents may want to consider supplements or medications to help reduce feelings of anxiety. In our practice, we recommend considering supplements such as 5-HTP (a precursor to serotonin), SAM-E, and even L-theanine to help with persistent feelings of stress or anxiety. If supplements do not seem to help, it may be important to discuss the possibility of medications such as SSRIs and SNRIs with your child’s pediatrician.

Effective Therapy for Teens with Anxiety

The good news for those who struggle with anxiety is that it is treatable. In a study that examined the efficacy of treatments for anxiety, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy was shown to improve anxiety symptoms for almost 60% of participants, and when combined with medication, over 80% of participants experienced relief from anxiety (Walkup et al., 2008). Below is a list of the most successful therapeutic counseling treatments for those individuals struggling with anxiety:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • How it works: CBT helps teens identify and reframe negative thought patterns and develop healthier coping skills.

  • Why it's effective: Strong evidence base across many anxiety disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic).

  • Format: Can be individual, group, or family-based; often includes exposure techniques (gradually facing feared situations).

  • Teens like it when: It’s practical, structured, and goal-oriented.

2. Exposure Therapy (a form of CBT)

  • Best for: Phobias, panic disorder, and social anxiety.

  • How it works: Gradual exposure to feared situations reduces avoidance and anxiety over time.

  • Often integrated into CBT programs.

3. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • How it works: Teaches teens to accept anxious thoughts without judgment and commit to values-based actions.

  • Why it helps: Especially useful for teens who feel “stuck” or overwhelmed by emotions.

4. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – Modified Therapy for Teens

  • Best for: Anxiety mixed with emotional dysregulation, self-harm, or impulsivity.

  • How it works: Focuses on mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills.

5. Family-Based Therapy

  • Why it's useful: Anxiety often affects family dynamics. Including parents helps reinforce coping skills at home.

  • Approaches: Can be blended with CBT or tailored as Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) for younger teens.

Closing Thoughts: Finding Hope Through Therapy for Teens in Roswell

Remember: no matter how bad it may seem, and how long you or your loved one may have been struggling with anxiety, there is hope out there for healing. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the counselors at Renovating Hope Counseling, LLC for help with your teen’s anxiety. You don’t have to walk alone in this struggle.

Begin Healing with Therapy for Teens in Roswell, GA

A teen twirls freely in a sunlit field at golden hour, her silhouette glowing with movement and light. Therapy for teens in Roswell, GA can help young people find relief from anxiety and reconnect with joy and self-expression.

At Renovating Hope Counseling, LLC in Roswell, GA, we specialize in helping teens who feel overwhelmed by anxiety. Whether it shows up as worry, restlessness, avoidance, or panic, anxiety can make daily life feel exhausting. We walk alongside teens as they learn to calm their nervous system, understand what’s going on inside, and build the confidence to face challenges with strength.

Using evidence-based therapy for teens in Roswell, parent collaboration, and a compassionate, personalized approach, we help adolescents move from anxiety and self-doubt toward clarity, calm, and emotional resilience.

Here’s how to get started:

  1. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to ask questions and see how therapy can support your teen’s mental wellness.

  2. Book your first teen therapy session to understand your teen’s struggles and create a clear, empowering treatment plan.

  3. Begin regular counseling sessions focused on reducing anxiety, developing coping tools, and helping your teen reconnect with their confidence and sense of self.

Other Services Provided in Roswell, GA

In addition to counseling for teens, we provide a diverse range of supportive services designed to guide individuals and families through life’s many transitions. Our clinicians offer one-on-one counseling, child therapy, and family counseling sessions aimed at nurturing healing, communication, and connection at home. We also offer specialized care for couples and marriages, helping partners build stronger, healthier relationships, along with trauma-informed therapy for those bravely working through painful past experiences.

For clients navigating specific mental health concerns, we provide dedicated support for women’s issues, depression, anxiety, OCD, and challenges related to disordered eating or body image. Our work is grounded in compassion and clinical expertise, and we also offer unique options such as brainspotting, Christian-based counseling, and virtual sessions for greater accessibility. To support whole-person wellness, we’re proud to include services like functional nutrition counseling and sports performance coaching for both mental and physical growth.

References

  • Gallagher, M.W., Bentley, K.H. & Barlow, D.H. Perceived Control and Vulnerability to Anxiety Disorders: A Meta-analytic Review. Cogn Ther Res 38, 571–584 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-014-9624-x

Kristen Shoemaker https://www.renovatinghopeatl.com
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