Can a 16 year old have CBT?
Written by the clinical team at The Lyceum Clinic. Clinically reviewed by Sanah Younis, Founder and Clinical Director, BABCP-accredited (no. 1000792). Published 28 October 2026. Last reviewed 28 October 2026.
Clinical perspective: The Lyceum's specialist therapist for teenagers.
What is shared with parents and what is not?
I tell the teenager with the parent present: 'What you say in this room belongs to you. I will not tell your parents about your specific thoughts, your relationships, or your rule-breaking. I will only share *themes* of our work so they can support you. BUT, if you tell me you are in danger, or that someone is hurting you, the secret ends immediately. My job is to keep you safe first, and private second.'
Who is in the room, and when?
For the initial assessment, everyone is in the room. I need the family dynamic. After that, the parent stays in the waiting room. The teenager needs a sovereign, confidential space, or they will tell me nothing. Parents are brought back in deliberately, at points we agree in advance, so that they know how to support the work at home rather than guess at it.
For more detail, read about anxiety therapy.
When are online sessions appropriate for a young person?
Only if they have absolute privacy. If they are whispering because mum is in the next room, therapy is useless. If they are over 14, they often prefer the digital barrier. It feels safer. But I demand a quiet, solitary room, and headphones. If the family dynamic is intrusive, I insist on in-person.