Unified Protocol (CBT) for Teens

16 Sessions

Emotional ups and downs are a normal part of adolescence, but sometimes those challenges linger or grow in ways that start to interfere with daily life. If left unaddressed, occasional anxiety or moodiness can turn into patterns of avoidance, academic struggles, or stalled social development.

Our Unified Protocol (CBT) for Teens is a comprehensive, 16-session approach that uses a transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral framework to treat a wide range of emotional concerns at once. Rather than targeting anxiety, depression, or mood swings separately, this evidence-based protocol focuses on the common underlying patterns that keep emotional struggles going.

Treatment builds week by week to help your teen recognize how emotions and behaviors are connected, develop mindfulness and emotional regulation skills, challenge unhelpful thinking patterns, and gradually face situations they’ve been avoiding.

Sessions follow a clear structure: they start with assessment and psychoeducation, then progress through emotional awareness training, cognitive flexibility, and exposure-based practice. Each session is designed to build skills your teen can apply across different emotional challenges.

Treatment is delivered virtually, with select in-office options available.

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We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. - Dolly Parton

This plan is designed for teens navigating persistent emotional difficulties—especially when anxiety, sadness, or stress begin to impact school, relationships, or overall wellbeing. While emotional turbulence is common in adolescence, some patterns don’t resolve on their own and benefit from structured support.

Common indicators for this plan include:

Anxiety or excessive worrying that interferes with daily activities
Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or irritability
Mood swings or emotional reactivity that seems disproportionate
Social anxiety or fear of negative evaluation from peers
School-related stress and performance anxiety
Avoidance behaviors that limit participation in age-appropriate activities
Physical symptoms like stomach aches, headaches, or sleep disruptions
Perfectionism or rigid thinking that creates undue stress
Difficulty adapting to changes or transitions
Low self-esteem or negative self-perception

Why you might choose this plan

What to expect

The teen years are full of emotional shifts, but when those changes affect daily life, it may be time for extra support. Teens face increasing academic pressure, social stress, and identity exploration—all while still developing the tools to manage complex emotions.

But emotional struggles during this stage don’t always show up as sadness or anxiety. You might notice school avoidance, irritability, changes in sleep or appetite, or a withdrawal from activities or friends. Adolescents may not have the language to describe what they’re going through, but these behaviors can be signs of underlying distress.

This plan offers developmentally appropriate support to help teens build essential skills while honoring their growing independence.

In-person, telehealth or both

How long does therapy take?

The Unified Protocol is an innovative, research-backed approach that focuses on the shared roots of emotional disorders, rather than treating each diagnosis separately. It’s especially effective for teens experiencing symptoms of both anxiety and depression.

Your teen’s therapist will start with a collaborative assessment to understand their emotional patterns and how those may be affecting their daily life. From there, sessions focus on helping adolescents identify their emotions and physical sensations, respond to stress with mindfulness and flexibility, and explore how thoughts shape emotional reactions.

A key part of the process involves addressing avoidance directly. Through graduated exposure exercises, teens will learn to face feared or uncomfortable situations in manageable steps. This builds confidence in their ability to tolerate distress and stay connected to the people, activities, and goals that matter most.

By the end of the plan, your teen will have a strong set of tools for managing difficult emotions, challenging negative thinking, and navigating real-world stressors. These foundational skills support long-term emotional wellbeing—both now and into adulthood.

Therapy Lab clinicians hold advanced degrees in clinical psychology, clinical child psychology, or related science-based clinical practice, with specialized training in the Unified Protocol for adolescents. They understand the unique challenges of teen development and create a supportive environment where teens feel understood rather than judged. To learn more about this approach, please see the resources below.

About Therapy Lab therapists

Ehrenreich-May, J., Rosenfield, D., Queen, A. H., Kennedy, S. M., Remmes, C. S., & Barlow, D. H. (2017). An initial waitlist-controlled trial of the unified protocol for the treatment of emotional disorders in adolescents. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 46, 46-55.
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Kennedy, S. M., Bilek, E. L., & Ehrenreich-May, J. (2019). A randomized controlled pilot trial of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Children. Behavior Modification, 43(3), 330-360.