It’s likely not difficult for you to recall how full of angst you felt as a teen. So many settings seemed to bring out insecurities and the constant worry that you were standing out in a way that wasn’t “cool.” For teens with anxiety disorders, these feelings are even more intense. Teens who experience these symptoms can struggle with everything from speaking in class to making friends or attending school events.
At the Ohio Center for Adolescent Wellness (OHCAW), we provide comprehensive, outpatient-based social anxiety treatment tailored specifically for the intensity of adolescence. Our aim is to create a safe and supportive environment where teens can build their confidence and their coping skills. Learn how our anxiety treatment for teens can make all the difference.
Isn’t everyone a little anxious?
Social anxiety in teens goes far beyond common anxious feelings or shyness. An anxiety disorder is a persistent, intense fear of being judged, criticized, or rejected in everyday interactions. If left unchecked, it can lead to isolation, missed school days, and your teen missing out on great experiences and opportunities. Your teen’s fear of embarrassment may be so strong, in fact, that they’d rather avoid interactions that help them get their needs met, like ordering at a restaurant or participating in a group decision.
While some anxiety is common to everyone, clinical social anxiety in teens can interfere with so much of what makes teen life enjoyable, including friendships, extracurricular activities, and their education. Treatment can greatly help reduce the risk of long-term anxiety concerns.
Our social anxiety treatment plans
At OHCAW, our treatment plans are designed with the unique emotional and social development of teens in mind. We offer two levels of care based on your teen’s needs:
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP): Offers a structured, full-day program (typically 2–3 weeks) with daily therapy and psychiatric support, while allowing your teen to return home to your family in the evenings.
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP): This level of care provides more flexibility with programming 3–5 days per week, ideal for teens transitioning from a higher level of care or those who require moderate support.
Each social anxiety treatment plan includes an individualized care roadmap, regular evaluations, and family involvement to ensure consistent progress. We offer flexible options so that your teen can maintain as normal a routine as possible while in treatment. Our priority is your family’s well-being.
Therapy and medication options
The OHCAW approach is to combine evidence-based therapies with medication management, as needed, to address both the symptoms of social anxiety disorder.
Key therapeutic interventions include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): Teaches teens to identify and reframe negative thought patterns
- Exposure-based techniques: Help adolescents gradually build tolerance to feared social situations in a setting where they feel safe and secure
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): Encourages mindfulness and personal values to reduce anxiety-driven avoidance
- EMDR and trauma-informed support: This approach is ideal for teens whose social anxiety may stem from bullying, trauma, or past emotional wounds
If appropriate, social anxiety disorder medication, such as SSRIs, may be prescribed and monitored by our team of licensed psychiatric staff.
Our multimodal treatment includes:
- CBT and ACT for emotional regulation
- Group therapy for real-world social exposure
- Mindfulness and meditative therapy
- Medication management at the PHP level
- Family therapy to reinforce progress at home
Why choose OHCAW?
We know that finding the right environment for teen mental health care is critical. At OHCAW, we prioritize safety, compassion, and privacy in a setting designed to feel more like a retreat center than a clinic.
We’re a trusted alternative to inpatient hospitalization, offering stabilization and support at a lower level of care for your teen. Your family deserves the best support available, and we’ll personalize treatment for your teen at every step.
Call OHCAW and get help for your teen today
Social anxiety doesn’t have to define your child’s life. With the right care, teens can learn to manage fear and live the type of carefree teen life that you want them to have.
Call OHCAW at 888.890.7141 today or submit our online form to speak with our team about a confidential evaluation. Our compassionate team will guide you through next steps, insurance options, and program fit.
