What’s Going On in Their Head?! How the Teen Brain Impacts Mental Health
From a Therapist in Berkeley Who Works with Teens and Parents
If you’ve ever stared at your teenager mid-outburst and wondered, What is happening in that brain?!—you’re in good company. As a therapist in Berkeley who specializes in working with teens and their parents, I hear this question in almost every parent session.
There’s a reason your teen can be joyful one minute, despondent the next, and then laser-focused on something completely random five minutes later. Their brain is undergoing one of the most profound stages of development since toddlerhood.
Understanding how the teenage brain works can shift how you parent, reduce conflict, and—most importantly—help your teen feel safer, more understood, and more supported. So, let’s take a deep breath and dive into what’s really going on up there.
The Teenage Brain is Still Under Construction
The brain doesn’t finish developing until somewhere around age 25. That means when you’re parenting a 13-, 15-, or even 18-year-old, you’re interacting with someone whose brain is in process—not a finished product.
The prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain that handles reasoning, planning, and impulse control—is the last to fully develop. This has huge implications for mental health and behavior. It means teens:
May feel deeply but struggle to express themselves
Often act on emotion before engaging with logic
May not always connect actions with consequences
This doesn’t mean your teen is choosing to be moody, forgetful, or reactive—it means their brain is in the middle of a massive upgrade, and they need guidance and support along the way.
The Emotional Center of the Brain is on High Alert
While the prefrontal cortex is still developing, the amygdala—the part of the brain that processes fear, anger, and emotion—is in overdrive during adolescence.
This is why something seemingly small (a change in plans, a look from a friend, a late homework assignment) can trigger big emotional reactions. To them, it feels big. Their emotional brain is louder than their rational brain in these moments.
In therapy, we help teens begin to recognize and regulate their emotional responses—something many adults still struggle with, too. And we help parents respond in ways that calm rather than escalate.
👉 Learn how I support teens: Teen Therapist in Berkeley
Stress Hits Teens Differently
School, social pressure, identity questions, family expectations, climate anxiety, the constant presence of technology—it’s a lot. And because the teen brain is still developing, it handles stress differently than an adult’s.
Prolonged stress in adolescence can increase risk for:
Anxiety and panic
Depression
Sleep issues
Trouble concentrating
Substance use
What’s important to know is this: stress isn’t just about having “too much to do.” It’s about how the nervous system interprets what’s happening—and a teenager’s nervous system is still figuring that out.
In therapy, we work on helping teens develop coping skills, name what they’re feeling, and build internal tools for resilience. Stress is unavoidable, but suffering doesn’t have to be.
Risk-Taking is Part of the Process (Even If It’s Scary)
Impulsive or risk-taking behavior isn’t always defiance—it’s brain development.
The reward system in a teen brain is super sensitive. That’s why social approval, thrill-seeking, or pushing boundaries can be so appealing. It’s also why your teen might do something completely out of character and genuinely not know why.
As a therapist in Berkeley, I often work with teens who feel ashamed about choices they’ve made, even though they didn’t fully understand why they made them. Therapy becomes a space where they can unpack those moments with curiosity instead of shame—and develop more mindful decision-making skills for the future.
Empathy + Boundaries = A Powerful Combo
Once you understand that your teen’s behavior is driven by a brain still under construction, it becomes a little easier to respond with empathy.
But empathy doesn’t mean letting everything slide. Teens still need structure, guidance, and limits—it helps them feel safe. The trick is offering those things with respect and compassion, not punishment or control.
That’s something we also work on in parent therapy: helping you set firm but loving boundaries that actually get through while helping you to stay connected. Because let’s be honest—yelling and consequences don’t work if your teen shuts down every time.
Teen Mental Health is Deeply Tied to Connection
The adolescent brain craves connection—to friends, to family, to a sense of belonging. When those connections feel shaky, their mental health often does too.
Therapy isn’t just about helping teens talk about their feelings—it’s about creating a space where they feel seen. It’s about helping them feel less alone, and helping you as a parent feel more empowered in how you support them.
Even if your teen rolls their eyes at the idea of therapy (many do!), I can’t tell you how often those same teens end up loving the space. Sometimes it just takes one person outside the family to help them open up in a new way.
You’re Not Supposed to Know All of This
Parenting a teenager is not for the faint of heart. And nobody hands you a guidebook for what to do when your once-chatty child suddenly becomes withdrawn, angry, or anxious. But you’re not supposed to have all the answers.
Whether you’re worried about your teen’s mood, overwhelmed by the constant conflict, or just want someone to help them process this intense stage of life—I’m here to support both of you.
🌿 Let’s Talk—Teen Therapy in Berkeley
If you're searching for a therapist in Berkeley who truly understands teen mental health, I'd love to help. I offer a free 15-minute consultation where you can ask questions and see if we’re a good fit.
Together, we can help your teen navigate this season of growth with more clarity, resilience, and support.
Therapist in Berkeley - Author Bio
Robyn Ganeles, LMFT, is a therapist in Berkeley specializing in anxiety, infertility, parenting, and adolescent mental health. With over 15 years of experience, she combines evidence-based practices with a warm, relational approach to help clients feel understood and empowered. Robyn is also a clinical supervisor at Seneca Family of Agencies and has presented at regional and national conferences on parenting, trauma, and school-based mental health. She holds an MA in Counseling Psychology (USF), an MFA from Yale, and a BA from UC Berkeley.