Nearly 50% of American adolescents report having a mental disorder at some point.
If your child is going through depression, anxiety, or another mental illness, it’ll affect their social life. Therapy sessions can address some of the underlying issues that prevent them from enjoying their teenage years.
Different kids respond to different therapy methods. Today, we’ll discuss five counseling activities for teens that help build social skills. Keep reading and watch your child build confidence around their peers.
1. Start a Journal
A great way to have a teen get to the bottom of their social anxieties is to have them start a “worry” journal. Many teens struggle in social settings because they worry about being judged by their peers.
The worry journal allows them to vent these concerns without the fear of being judged. It can be done during teen counseling sessions, but it’s something they can do at home as well. Regular journaling is proven to increase one’s sense of well-being.
2. Truths and Lies
Have the group sit in a circle. Each teen will take turns telling the rest of the group 3 statements about themselves, only two of which are true. The rest of the group will guess which statement is the lie.
This simple game helps build social connections, which in turn builds social confidence that they can take into their everyday lives.
3. Music Analysis
An activity that can be done in a group or one-on-one is a simple music analysis game. Most teens are deeply invested in their music tastes, so having them talk about it can bring them out of their shells.
Have the teen bring in a playlist of 5 songs that they love. Sit with them while they play the songs, then have them discuss what each song means to them afterward. Listening to music will foster a sense of comfort while they open up about the various stressors in their life.
4. Gratitudes
Teens with anxiety and depression often feel the weight of the world on them, which can lead to intense self-consciousness. You can help them realize that there are good people and things in the world by having them list out what they’re grateful for.
While they’re compiling this list of possessions, activities, and most importantly, people, they’ll see that they’ve got a lot to be happy about. When it comes to people, they can see that there’s a great support system around them and there’s no reason to fear social situations.
5. Spot the Strength
Another group teen therapy activity is to have each person tell a positive story about themselves. Encourage the other kids to be attentive while their peer is opening up, then have each person identify a positive trait about the storyteller from their tale.
With each positive comment, teens will realize that other people can recognize the goodness in them.
Try Different Counseling Activities for Teens
These are just a few of the many counseling activities for teens you can try. Therapy sessions are most effective when teens are engaged with their counselor and the rest of the group.
Having a great counselor can change a teen’s life. At Honor Your Emotions, we use practical and proven therapy tactics to help teens navigate the most challenging aspects of being young. Contact us today for a free 15-minute session.
