Starting therapy is a big step for teens and their parents. Should I ask what they have learned? Should I step back? Am I doing enough—or too much?
You are far from alone. Research indicates that parental involvement in adolescent therapy yields significantly better outcomes (Leora B.H. Staff), particularly in addressing behavioral and emotional challenges. While treatment happens in the therapy room, home is where healing truly gets tested—and strengthened.
At Resilience Behavioral Health in Franklin Lakes, NJ, we partner with teens and families in our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) to create a supportive environment both in and out of sessions. If your child is in an IOP, here are six heartfelt, research-supported ways you can help them thrive—starting now.
1. Understand What They’re Going Through
First, understanding what your teen is learning will help you support them effectively. Most intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) for adolescents implement evidence-based practices such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). These approaches assist teens in emotional regulation, equipping them with coping skills and promoting healthier lifestyles.
Fact: According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), CBT is highly effective in treating depression and anxiety in adolescents, helping reduce symptoms and prevent relapse.
Ask your teen’s care team at Resilience Behavioral Health for resources or an overview of their treatment goals—so you’re walking alongside them, not in the dark.
2. Remind Them You are on Their Side
Your young adult child might be experiencing feelings of anger, confusion or even embarrassment. You need to remind them that they are still cherished, especially when things get tough. Support can mean providing a listening ear, and at other times, simply being available. Saying “I’m proud of how hard you are trying” offers reassurance, which helps your child feel less isolated and more supported.
At home, consider giving them a bit more responsibility or asking for their input in family matters. It helps them feel like they still matter outside of treatment.
3. Respect Their Privacy—But Be Open
Therapy is personal. Your adolescent needs to foster a unique connection with their therapist. That doesn’t mean you are locked out—it just means you give them the respect they deserve. Refrain from requesting progress reports and avoid communicating with the therapist without your child’s consent. If your teen feels that you are monitoring them, it might break the trust that they are trying to establish in therapy.
However, most mental health issues don’t happen in isolation. Family dynamics often impact how teens behave and heal, and therapists may invite parents to be part of the process.
Fact: A 2024 meta-analysis in Clinical Child & Family Psychology Review—examining 20 clinical trials with over 1,200 teens—found that adding parental involvement to adolescent therapy significantly boosts outcomes for externalizing behavior disorders (effect size g = –0.20, p = .01) compared to individual-only therapy.
If you get an invite for family therapy at Resilience Behavioral Health, embrace the opportunity as a chance to grow alongside them.
4. Be Patient with the Process
Your teenager may advance—and then take a step back. That’s completely normal. Recovery is rarely a straight progression. They might skip an appointment, disengage, or have a rough week. Rather than responding with impatience, give them some gentle support.
Reassure them that you are committed to the long haul. At Resilience Behavioral Health, we help families prepare for these ups and downs by focusing on long-term resilience, not just short-term results.
5. Create Space to Talk Without Pressure
Teens don’t want lectures, and they usually don’t want a full therapy debrief at the dinner table. What they do need is space to share at their own pace.
Try gentle, open-ended questions like:
- Is there anything on your mind today?
- Did anything help you this week?
- How can I make your week easier?
This creates emotional safety. When they feel you’re listening—not judging—they are more likely to open up over time.
6. Take Care of Yourself, Too
Seeing your teenager in trouble is very difficult. It can bring up feelings of helplessness, guilt, or anxiety. All of these emotions are valid and deserve to be acknowledged. At Resilience Behavioral Health, we often recommend that parents take advantage of individual counseling sessions and self-care routines like mindfulness, journaling, or support groups.
Always remember: You cannot assist someone else until your own emotional cup is empty. Try dedicating a few minutes each day to self-care.
Planning for an IOP yourself? You might also find this helpful: 5 Tips for Preparing to Enter an Evening IOP Program in Saddle River, NJ.
Real-Life Case Study: A Teen’s IOP Journey and Family Transformation
A 15-year-old girl enrolled in a DBT-based Intensive Outpatient Program at Yale New Haven Hospital after struggling with severe depression and self-harm. Her parents felt helpless and overwhelmed, and family dynamics were strained with frequent arguments and emotional distance.
The Program
- 6-week IOP (3 hours/day, 4 days/week)
- Included group therapy, medication management, and family involvement
- Parents participated in regular structured sessions to improve communication and co-regulation
Challenges at the Start
- Moderately severe depression (PHQ-9 score = 16)
- Ongoing emotional shutdown and resistance to support at home
What Changed
Over the weeks, the family began rebuilding trust through guided therapy. Parents learned to validate feelings instead of reacting, while the teen began to open up and engage more fully. Communication improved, and so did emotional safety at home.
Ready to Support Your Teen’s Healing Journey?
Helping a teenager through an Intensive Outpatient Program is quite challenging, but presence, patience, and willingness to grow alongside them can make all the difference. Giving them their space, learning about their therapy, and listening without judgment, every thoughtful step you take helps create a stronger foundation for their healing.
At Resilience Behavioral Health in Franklin Lakes, NJ, we believe that lasting progress comes from partnership, not just with your teen, but with the entire family system. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone.
Need help to support your teen through treatment? Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation and learn how our IOP can guide your family toward lasting recovery.
