Tired Teens Don’t Talk - The Benefit of Early Therapy Appointments
Many assume that evening therapy appointments are best for their teens so they don’t have to miss school. Believe me, I thought the same. As time goes on, I am realizing that many of my clients are exhausted by the time their evening appointment begins. From a therapeutic perspective, I am noticing that my afternoon clients tend to be more engaged, better able to reflect, and more motivated to implement changes.
I never thought that I would be advocating for teens to miss school, but hear me out. Many clients who are seeking support are barely holding themselves together throughout the day. I see this in teens struggling with ADHD, anxiety, friendship challenges, academic perfectionism, and the normal trials and tribulations of being a teenager.
They come home from school, grab a snack, and immediately start their homework. Before they know it, it’s time for therapy. By then, many arrive exhausted, low on energy, and struggling to open up. I often notice yawning throughout the session and a reduced ability to engage meaningfully in the therapeutic process.
It’s not just hard on teens. Parents are rushing home from work, coordinating evening activities like sports and other extracurriculars, and then trying to fit their child's therapy into an already packed evening. It’s tiring for everyone.
Some teens do better with afternoon appointments because they have the emotional energy to engage in the therapeutic process. They are often better able to focus, less overstimulated from a full day of school, and feel less rushed overall. Some of my clients with ADHD find evening appointments challenging because their medication has worn off, and others worry about how much homework they have to do when they get home.
Because I offer online and in-person appointments throughout the day, teen clients who are struggling with school avoidance, anxiety, ADHD, burnout, attend an alternative education program, or have busy evenings can fit therapy in and benefit from it when they are still fresh.
I know that many parents are concerned about their child missing school, but prioritizing mental health can improve academic success. When teens receive the support they need, emotional regulation at home and at school can improve, alongside possible gains in confidence, attendance, and coping skills. Mental health appointments deserve to be prioritized as much as medical or dental appointments.
Daytime appointments aren’t the right fit for every family, and I get that. Some teens can come home from school independently and meet me for an online or in-person session, while some parents have the flexibility to bring their child to an earlier session. If you think your teen may benefit from therapy earlier in the day, it might be worth considering a daytime session.
