Discussion and Q&A with Sophie Koch, LCPC: Understanding and Supporting Your Teen in Today’s World
At first, the question might sound strange. Why would being a teenager be harder now? You might assume that technology, social media, and modern conveniences make life easier.
After all, teens today don’t know what it’s like to do homework before the internet existed! I’d argue that this is exactly why teen mental health challenges continue to rise.
While teens may have access to more resources than ever before, they also don’t get to:
- Go to school before gun violence became a reality in classrooms.
- Grow into themselves without constant access to influencers, Ozempic trends, and media designed to hold attention for only 30 seconds at a time.
- Watch adults and people in power consistently use their influence to protect young voices, encourage self-expression, and affirm developing identities.
- Spend their core school years learning in person rather than through screens and social distancing.
- Hang out with friends without phones, tablets, or smartwatches, competing for attention.
- Experience community in the same way as many spent formative years unable to freely gather, explore, or trust in the safety of their surroundings.
The truth is, being a teen isn’t what most movies and TV dramas portray. Often, adolescence means existing in the space between childhood and adulthood. Things made for you can feel childish, while the things that interest you may still feel just out of reach.
Being a teen is about figuring out who you are, who you want to be, and where you belong.
That’s challenging under any circumstances, and even more so in a world filled with uncertainty. It makes sense that these experiences impact mental health.
Today’s World May Be Impacting Your Teen’s Mental Health
Teen mental health concerns are rising as developing brains try to adapt to an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world. Many teens report struggling with school, friendships, family stress, and the reality that one day they will inherit many of today’s biggest challenges.
Some of the most common reasons teens seek therapy include:
- Low mood or chronic fatigue
- Low motivation, procrastination, and difficulty focusing
- Needing more structure, or feeling overwhelmed by a lack of it
- Conflict with friends or family
- School stress, anxiety, and difficulty maintaining attendance
- Low self-esteem, body image concerns, and perfectionistic tendencies
In this Q&A, we sit down with our teen therapist Sophie Koch, LCPC, to discuss how parents can support teens as they navigate today’s world, cope with uncertainty, and strengthen their support systems during stressful times.
Q: Getting my teen out of bed in the morning is tough. Why are they so tired?
A: Sometimes we forget that teens actually need more sleep. Their brains are developing while they’re juggling classes, extracurriculars, homework, social lives, and expectations that often start before 8 a.m.
If you’ve noticed your teen naturally staying up later and sleeping in later, that’s not unusual. Research shows that teens tend to produce more melatonin later into the evening, making early mornings especially difficult.
Depression and anxiety can add another layer of exhaustion. Anxiety can feel relentless, while depression can make even basic tasks feel overwhelming.
Before assuming it’s laziness or poor sleep habits, create space for an open conversation. There’s a big difference between “I stayed up until 2 a.m. playing Roblox,” and “I’m trying my best, but my mind and body feel exhausted, and I don’t know why.”
Q: My teen and I fight daily about school and homework. How do we make this less of a battle?
A: If school has recently become a struggle, it’s important to approach the situation with curiosity before assumptions.
School avoidance or school refusal is common as academic demands increase and anxiety, depression, social challenges, and burnout become more prevalent. Instead of focusing solely on attendance or assignments, try learning more about your teen’s daily experience.
Some helpful questions to consider:
- Is your child neurodivergent, or do they have a trauma history?
- Can they identify at least one or two trusted adults at school?
- Are certain days consistently more difficult than others?
- Do they seem more stressed, tired, or discouraged around specific classes or teachers?
School often becomes a battleground when parents view the behavior as rebellion, while teens experience concern as disappointment, control, or invalidation.
While attendance matters, understanding the barriers behind school avoidance matters too. Anxiety, depression, trauma, interpersonal challenges, neurodivergence, and other factors can all play a role. Teens are often more able to meet expectations when they feel heard, validated, and safe.
Q: My teen is struggling, but they aren’t talking to me. How can I support them?
A: If every conversation ends with “fine” or “I don’t know,” and you only catch glimpses of your teen when they emerge from their bedroom for snacks or to hiss at the sun, you’re not alone.
One of the best pieces of parenting advice I’ve heard came from a former client’s mother: “Curiosity instead of furiosity.”
Start by asking your teen what kind of support feels helpful right now. Share your observations honestly and let them know you’re available without pressuring them to talk.
If words feel difficult, consider alternatives. A family journal, whiteboard, notes, drawing, or even texting can create opportunities for connection while meeting your teen where they are.
Q: My teen isn’t sure about therapy, or they’ve tried it before and didn’t like it. How can therapy help?
A: The reality is that much of traditional therapy was designed for adults, neurotypical brains, and a world that existed before TikTok, flavored vapes, and pandemic-era schooling.
Finding the right therapist can be challenging, especially when your teen doesn’t feel understood.
When searching for a therapist, consider:
- Does this therapist understand my child from my child’s perspective?
- How do they talk about “client resistance”?
- How do they balance individual, family, and community involvement?
- Do they respect my child’s privacy and autonomy?
- The best outcomes often happen when therapists take time to understand teens as they are, recognize that trust takes time to build, and view families and communities as part of the healing process.
When therapists meet teens where they are while respecting their independence, they can become a valuable source of safety, support, and growth.
Starting therapy can feel overwhelming for both teens and parents, but finding the right fit can make all the difference.
Meet Sophie Koch, LCPC – Teen Therapist
Sophie Koch creates a trauma-informed, affirming, and holistic space where clients feel seen, supported, and understood. Her collaborative approach combines evidence-based practices with creativity, humor, and authentic connection to foster resilience, self-understanding, and values-based growth.
She specializes in supporting clients navigating identity development, self-esteem concerns, life transitions, and the challenges of being neurodivergent in a largely neurotypical world.
Whether clients are new to therapy or returning after previous treatment, Sophie brings experience from high-acuity settings and a flexible, grounded approach to helping people make sense of difficult experiences and build meaningful lives.
Sophie provides both in-person and virtual individual therapy for teens, tweens, young adults, and adults, making support accessible from home or at our Baltimore office.
Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, your child, or your teen, Sophie is here to support. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to get started.
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