Being a teenager today isn’t always easy. Between school, exams, friendships, family expectations, social media, and trying to figure out what you want to do with your life, it can sometimes feel like you’re juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle. Unsurprisingly, more young people than ever are seeking support for their mental health.

‘The U-PIC gives young people a voice in psychotherapy and ensures it speaks their language. By completing the U-PIC, you’re supporting young people’s voices and perspectives. After all, mental health support must be tailored to the individual, and the U-PIC can help you find your size.’  Professor John C. Norcross, University of Scranton, USA

As the number of young people accessing therapy grows, researchers are asking an important question: how are young people experiencing preferences in therapy?

Don’t worry—there won’t be a test on that. For example, would young people rather use creative activities or mainly talk? Would they like to lead therapy, or let the therapist take the lead? Preferences in therapy is about making therapy feel more like something young people help shape for themselves.

Research shows that many young people get frustrated when they aren’t offered choices. Some describe adults make all the decisions without really listening. And let’s be honest—most people don’t enjoy being told what to do all the time.

‘Times are changing at an ever-accelerating pace. Young people today may hold expectations of psychotherapy that profoundly differ from those of their parents — or, more importantly, their psychotherapists. It is therefore essential that we listen to young people’s voices and do our best to understand their therapy-related preferences and choices.’ Professor Tomáš Řiháček, Masaryk University, Czech Republic

Studies with adults and preferences have found that when therapists listen to people’s preferences, therapy often works better, and people are more likely to stick with treatment. Early research suggests the same could be true for young people. When young people are involved in decisions, they feel more respected, more motivated, and more in control.

Having choices is also an important part of growing up. Young people are developing independence, confidence, and a sense of who they are. Being listened to can help build self-esteem and trust. It can also strengthen the relationship between a young person and their therapist—something that research shows is one of the most important parts of successful therapy.

Overall, young people seem to want therapy that is flexible, personalised, and collaborative. They don’t necessarily want to run the whole show, but they do want a seat at the table.

The funny thing is, despite all this research, we still don’t really know what young people think about choosing preferences in therapy. There aren’t many studies that simply ask young people what they think. In other words, researchers haven’t spent enough time asking young people what it’s actually like to choose preferences in therapy. Until more young people are given the chance to share their views, we’re missing a big piece of the puzzle.

Which is where you come in!

We are currently trialling the U-PIC with young people in their therapy sessions. We want to find out how young people are experiencing using the U-PIC in therapy, whether it changes anything for them, or their therapy. Does it help therapy, and if so, how?

Come and join us and help shape therapy for young people.

If you are aged between 14 and 18 years, are currently in therapy, contact Charlotte Zamani at zamanic@roehampton.ac.uk. More information about the study can be found here: http://www.youththerapypreferences.com