Teen Therapy and Counseling

Therapy for teens ages 12 to 17

Dayrise Wellness offers therapy and counseling for teens ages 12 to 17 in Lombard, in Naperville, and online across Illinois. We help teens who are anxious, low, overwhelmed, or stuck, and we help their parents understand what is going on and how to support them.

Being a teenager brings big changes in identity, independence, friendships, and school pressure. Some stress is normal. Therapy gives your teen skills and a safe place to talk when stress becomes too heavy to carry alone.

Not sure yet? Read when a teen or young adult needs therapy or when to call.

What teens come to therapy for

Anxiety

Teens with generalized anxiety worry a great deal about school, friends, family, health, and the future. They may need constant reassurance, push themselves toward perfection (in sports and schoolwork especially), struggle to concentrate, feel irritable, sleep badly, or have headaches and stomachaches. In harder cases, they avoid anything that feels uncertain. Learn more about anxiety therapy.

Depression

Teen depression often shows up as sadness, irritability, or anger. Teens may lose interest in things they enjoyed, have little motivation, struggle to concentrate, sleep or eat differently, and talk harshly about themselves. Learn more about depression therapy and, for self-harm, our guide to self-injury in teens.

ADHD, OCD, trauma, and mood changes

We also support teens with ADHD, OCD, trauma and PTSD, and bipolar disorder, which can first appear in late adolescence and is sometimes mistaken for moodiness or behavior problems. Teens on the autism spectrum can read our guide to autism level 1.

Body image and eating

Teens compare themselves with peers, and social media makes the comparison stronger. Changes in eating habits, avoiding family meals, withdrawing, and rigid routines around food or exercise are signs to take seriously. See our eating disorder therapy page.

School, sports, and everyday stress

Perfectionism, grades, friendships, bullying, grief, and pressure from teams and families are common reasons to start. Read about sports anxiety, building resilience, and grief.

Identity and LGBTQIA+ support

Our therapists offer affirming care for LGBTQIA+ teens and support for families. Read our guide to supporting your LGBTQ+ teen.

How teen therapy works at Dayrise

1. Free consult. Parents or teens contact our Care Team. We learn what is going on and answer your questions.
2. A good match. We match your teen with a therapist by concern, age, and preferences.
3. First session. Your teen meets the therapist, talks about what brought them in, and begins to build trust. The therapist works with you and your teen to set goals.
4. Regular sessions. Your teen practices skills in session and between sessions. The therapist reviews progress with you and your teen along the way.

Approaches we use

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to notice and shift unhelpful thoughts
• Behavioral activation, to rebuild routines and mood when energy is low
• DBT skills: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal skills
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
• Interpersonal therapy for adolescents (IPT-A)
• Family therapy and parent support
• Art therapy with our Registered Art Therapist in Naperville

Treatment fits your teen’s age and stage of development. Our therapists also work with psychiatrists, caregivers, and school staff, depending on your teen’s needs, and our care coordinators are a go-to person for questions and follow-up.

Your role as a parent

Parents and caregivers are part of the process when it helps your teen. Ask your teen’s therapist how involvement will work for your family.

Where we see teens

• Lombard: teen therapists in Lombard, at 500 Waters Edge Ln, Suite 100. Serving Lombard, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Villa Park, and Oak Brook.
• Naperville: teen therapists in Naperville, at 2323 Naperville Rd, Suite 214. Serving Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook, and Lisle.
• Online: sessions from home anywhere in Illinois. See online therapy in Illinois.

Nearby town pages: Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, and Downers Grove.

Insurance, cost, and getting started

We are in-network with BlueCross BlueShield PPO, United Healthcare PPO, and Aetna PPO. Our Care Coordinator checks your benefits before your first session. Book a free consultation or call or text (331) 425-8625.

If your teen is thinking about hurting themselves, call or text 988 now, or call 911 in an emergency. Dayrise is not an emergency service.

More from the National Institute of Mental Health: child and adolescent mental health.

Co-authored and clinically reviewed by Jami Aitken, LCSW, Director of Clinical Services and Cyndi Marquez, LPC, Clinical Therapist and Megan Bomicino, LCPC, Director of Operations. Last reviewed November 4, 2026.

Teen therapy: your questions