Anxiety Medication for Teens
Unlock the healing potential of play with our play therapy services, designed to nurture your child’s emotional, behavioral, and social development.
Insurance & Verification
At Mind Works, we work with major commercial insurance payers. Our providers are contracted with a variety of the following insurance companies:
Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield – (Call to verify your plan is accepted), Carelon, Cigna, Evernorth, Humana, Magellan, Optum, Oscar, Tricare, United
Appointment Hours
Monday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Front Office Hours
Monday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Teen Anxiety Disorders
Here at Mind Works, we understand that young people in general experience mental health conditions differently from adults. That’s why we specialize in treating anxiety and anxiety disorders in children and teenagers. The tools and therapies we utilize, such as specialized anxiety medication for teens, can help your teen successfully recover.
Causes of Teenage Anxiety
Adolescent anxiety is caused in part by pressure, lack of control, and undiagnosed mental health conditions. Teenagers are primarily concerned about their bodies, how they are perceived, their academic/activity performance, and their future. Growing up is a tumultuous and confusing time as teens worry over who they will become and what is expected of them. This worry can lead to the development of disorders like social anxiety and separation anxiety.
However, external factors can also influence the likelihood of your teen developing an anxiety disorder. Social media has been shown to make adolescents feel worse about their body image. Bullying, both online and offline, can also contribute. The pressure to succeed is another, with young students and athletes pushing themselves hard to meet sometimes unattainable standards. Lastly, the COVID-19 pandemic left lasting anxiety in adolescents surrounding healthcare.
Untreated or undiagnosed mental health conditions may also contribute to anxiety. Examples of common disorders include:
The effort of trying to participate in normal life while being hindered by a problem that a teen cannot understand or process is inherently anxiety-inducing and can lead to serious issues.
Different Types of Anxiety Disorders
There are several types of anxiety disorders, which include:
- Panic disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Agoraphobia
- Selective mutism
- Separation anxiety
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Social anxiety disorder
- Specific phobias, such as social phobia
Symptoms of Anxiety
Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety
Anxiety causes both mental and physical symptoms. Some of these include:
- Sleep problems (sleeping too much, too little, or difficulty falling asleep)
- Chronic stomachaches and headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle tension
- Excessive worry and recurring fears about parts of everyday life
- Withdrawal from social activities and hobbies
- Refusing to go to school
- Drop in grades
- Repeated reassurance-seeking behaviors
- Panic attacks
- Avoidance of new or difficult situations
- Extreme self-consciousness
- Irritability
- Extreme sensitivity to criticism
- Trouble concentrating
- Substance use
Launch Your Child’s Healing Journey in Three Simple Steps
1. Get in Touch
Get started with Mind Works by filling out our simple contact form online or giving us a call.
2. Complete Intake Process
Submit all required paperwork so we can better understand your child’s history and needs.
3. Begin Treatment
Meet your child’s provider to establish a treatment plan and begin play therapy sessions.
Knowing When It’s Time to Seek Help for Your Child
It’s normal for your teen to experience anxiety here and there. However, it becomes a concern when it begins to interfere with their daily life. If your teen has a noticeable decline in physical health, stops participating in social activities, struggles in school, or has frequent panic attacks, it’s time to seek help from a professional.
Treatment for Anxiety at Mind Works
At Mind Works, we approach the treatment of anxiety with compassion and understanding. We know it’s hard to be a teenager and that the fears they struggle with are real. By providing quality and comprehensive mental health care interventions, we can help teenagers and their loved ones find peace alongside healing.
Understanding and Compassionate Team
Our staff has decades of combined experience in pediatric mental health care. With a wide range of available expertise and accreditations, we are prepared to help your teen with quality and comprehensive mental health treatment. Our values of respect, understanding, support, and non-judgment ensure that your teen finds the safety and comfort needed to recover.
Treatment Options for Your Child at Mind Works
Initial Assessment & Treatment Planning
Every child or teen entering care at Mind Works undergoes an assessment. This is a process in which medical history, testing, and data collection are used to determine what your child is struggling with and how we can best help them. With this information, our providers work with you to create a customized treatment plan.
Evidence-Based Therapies
At Mind Works, we use evidence-based therapies that are tailored to treating your teen. The most utilized therapy in the treatment of anxiety is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of psychotherapy or talk therapy. CBT is flexible and can be trauma-focused if needed. Exposure therapy may also be used, depending on the anxiety disorder.
Collaborative Approach to Care
We believe that parents and caregivers are critical to the healing process. As a result, you can expect to be involved in the entire treatment process from start to finish. You, your teen, and our treatment providers will frequently check in to make adjustments to the treatment plan as needed.
Qualified and Expert Team
Our team is qualified to treat common mental health disorders in children and teenagers. Examples of the expertise you can find at Mind Works are psychologists, psychiatrists, licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed professional counselors, certified trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapists, and more!
Parental Support and Education
Mind Works believes that parents and caregivers play a big role in the recovery process. We make sure that you receive the support and education you need to better understand and assist your teen.
Our Approach to Treating Anxiety With Medication Management
Medication management is a crucial part of any anxiety treatment plan. Anti-anxiety medications are often used in conjunction with psychotherapy, mainly to reduce and control negative symptoms so your teen can focus on recovery. Not every child or teen will need anti-anxiety medications, but when used correctly, they can bring relief and stability to an otherwise struggling teen.
What If My Child Needs Medication?
If your child needs medication, we will work with you to ensure that the medication process is as safe as possible. Needing medication doesn’t mean your teen is weak or that you’re a bad parent. Medication is simply a tool to aid in the healing process and can make a big difference in the comfort of your teen. You will be involved in each step of the way.
Consultation & Treatment Plan
Each teen is different and has unique needs. A one-size-fits-all treatment approach will not work. Instead, we use the data gathered from your teen’s consultation and assessments to create a custom-tailored treatment plan. These plans are subject to frequent adjustments as needed, ensuring that your teen always gets the most effective treatments.
Mind Works offers outpatient treatment for children and teens in 1-hour per week sessions. Typical plans have 12 or more sessions, depending on individual needs.
Our Medication Management Program Features
Medication Monitoring & Adjustment
Adolescent psychiatry is different from that of adults, as a child’s brain is still growing and changing. As a result, great care is taken to ensure the type of medication and dosages used are safe and appropriate for your child. Check-ins are frequent with our licensed psychiatrists and nurse practitioners to ensure your teen’s well-being. We will help you and your teen get into the routine of safely using medications as directed.
Please note that it can take up to six weeks for a medication to cause noticeable differences. Adjustments may take time, but they are necessary for finding the correct dosage or combination of medications.
Medications That Treat Anxiety
There is a wide range of FDA-approved anxiolytic medications used in the treatment of severe anxiety or an anxiety disorder. Some are on-label, which means they are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat anxiety. Off-label refers to other types of medication that may be used in conjunction to treat the symptoms of anxiety, but are not designed to treat anxiety as a whole.
Examples of common medicines prescribed for anxiety are:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Quite possibly the most commonly prescribed medications used to treat anxiety and other mental health disorders. SSRIs work by targeting serotonin, a neurotransmitter, which helps the cells of the brain pass messages to each other. Examples include Fluoxetine (Prozac), Citalopram (CeleXA), Paroxetine (Paxil), and Sertraline (Zoloft).
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Another type of medication used to treat anxiety. They work by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is done by blocking or delaying the reuptake of these neurotransmitters by the nerves.
Benzodiazepines
This medicine slows down the nervous system by telling your brain to release a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It’s often used as a short-term way to help relax the body and reduce anxiety symptoms.
Beta-blockers
These drugs slow down the heart rate and lower your blood pressure. Though typically used to treat cardiovascular disorders, it’s also helpful for reducing symptoms of anxiety.
Sometimes, a psychiatrist or pediatric primary care doctor may prescribe other medications to help assist in anxiety treatment, but the above are the most common types you will see.
Setting Goals That Help Your Family Thrive
Throughout treatment, our providers will help you and your teen set goals. Big goals are often broken down into smaller and more achievable goals. This prevents your teen from becoming discouraged or burning out, which renders treatment ineffective. Goals are not just for your teen, but yourself as well, to help improve relationships and encourage healthy habits.
Getting Started With Mind Works
Contact Our Team
Our team can be contacted through a secure contact form or by phone. Each communication with our team is private, secure, and judgment-free.
Intake & Admissions
The first step in the admissions process is to fill out our form on our “Get Connected” page. This information helps us get a brief understanding of you and your teen’s needs. You may also call our office during open hours to ask questions if needed.
Then, we will meet with you and your teen to learn about your teen’s needs. We’ll discuss important topics such as treatment goals and expectations.
Once it’s established that we can meet your teen’s needs, the intake process can begin. This is a period of information gathering through questionnaires to better determine specific needs so we can set accurate treatment goals.
Beginning Treatment
Once goals and needs have been established, one of our providers will work with you to create a specialized and individualized treatment plan. This includes assessments, beginning therapy, and/or prescribing medication as needed. The goal is to begin treatment with the most amount of support for your teen’s mental health care needs.
Meet Our Expert Team
Our team of mental health care professionals is ready and waiting to help you and your loved ones find peace and healing.
Shawna Torres
LCSW
Keeley Armes
LPC, TF-CBT
Robert Wilcox
LPC
Jessica Moya
LCSW
Cheryl D. Kelley
LPC, Assessments
Ashley Briggs
APRN-CNP, PMHNP-BC
Lydia Ehrmann
LMFT
Contact Mind Works Today to Set Your Child on a Path to Success
If you have questions, concerns, or want to start your teen on the path to recovery, contact us today. You don’t need to fear judgment or stigma from our compassionate and caring team. Our staff is standing by to help.
FAQs About Anxiety Medication for Teens
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medication for teens. Some of the medications most commonly prescribed to teens are Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Paroxetine, and Escitalopram (Lexapro). Your teens’ treatment team will work closely with them and you to find the right medication.
Yes, if needed, a 14-year-old can utilize anti-anxiety medications as part of a treatment plan.
SSRIs are currently the only anti-anxiety medications that have been extensively tested for safety and efficacy in adolescents. That’s why they are considered the safest option when medicating children and teens for anxiety.
Antidepressants are an effective way to help adolescents struggling with mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety. SSRIs have been tested for this age group and thus are utilized the most for them.
However, all medications can be dangerous if used incorrectly or not as directed by a doctor. Children and teens utilizing antidepressants must be monitored carefully, as negative side effects are possible.
The side effects of anti-anxiety medications like SSRIs and SNRIs range in severity depending on the specific drug. However, some can expect to experience minor side effects, such as:
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Excessive sweating
- Headache
- Nausea
- Drowsiness / Fatigue
- Constipation
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
In rare cases, serious side effects can occur, including an increased risk or worsening of suicidal thoughts and self-harm. It’s important to check in with your teen often to see how they feel and listen closely to their doctors and care team.
Anti-anxiety medication may also cause withdrawal symptoms in your teen if they suddenly stop taking it. Psychiatric medications of all types must be weaned off slowly to be safe. Some withdrawal symptoms include:
- Vivid nightmares or dreams
- Nausea/vomiting
- Dizziness
- Burning, tingling, or shock-like sensations
- Flu-like symptoms, such as head and body aches, sweating, and fatigue
Your teen should never suddenly stop taking psychiatric medication without first speaking to a psychiatrist or their primary care doctor.
The first session is the intake session that is designed for parents only. Here you will meet your child’s therapist to discuss and define the counseling relationship. Your therapist will gather information about your child, biological, psychological, and social history, and how this is impacting your current situation. You and your therapist will also discuss treatment goals moving forward and begin setting up appointments for your child.
Our goal is to help you feel supported and understood. At Mind Works we strive to include parents as partners in the process. We will set up a feedback session over the next 5-8 weeks where you and your therapist can discuss progress, continued treatment goals, while providing parental guidance and support.
Success Stories
“Highly recommend Mind Works. I am a clinician in Illinois and needed to find a clinic in Texas that could provide services to my client that was moving. This is no easy feat to do across the United States. Mind Works was fabulous to work with from the very beginning. Coordination of care was 5 stars and my “previous” client is very happy with their new counselor. Thank you very much for going above and beyond during this difficult time so many other counseling offices are facing. I appreciate all the help and coordination you offered my client!”
“I have known the owners for over 8 years and have taken a family member to Mind Works. Therefore, I can speak of them both personally and professionally. There truly is no better place for this service, especially for children and young adults. On the personal level, I know how much they truly care about everyone they meet. On a professional level, the entire staff is a reflection of the dedication to helping others and competence that gets results that the owners exude. During the incredibly trying time of this pandemic and the fear and anxiety it has caused many people, we are incredibly blessed to have Mind Works available to support.”
“The front desk staff is kind and courteous and helped me find the right therapist for my child. When I met my therapist she was kind and explained the process to me. I love that she included me in the play therapy process and helped me understand how to help my child. Thankful for the therapists at Mind Works!”
“Mindworks is the leader in child centered play therapy and collaborative care in San Antonio and surrounding areas. Their focus is solely on the mental health of children and teenagers. Each clinician at all four locations is seasoned, knowledgeable, experienced, and capable. Parents trust that their child is going to get the treatment and services they need and deserve.
I thoroughly enjoyed working as a clinician at Mindworks. The support and leadership is consistent and outstanding. Unlike any other job that I have had, leadership and clinicians work together to cultivate an awesome work environment.”