For Parents and Teens
Teen Therapy in Las Vegas and Henderson
Your teen used to talk at dinner. Now the bedroom door stays closed, the headphones stay on, and grades are slipping. Some of this is normal growing up. Some of this isn't. This guide helps you tell the difference, explains how teen therapy works in Nevada, and helps you find a therapist who works with teens.
Last verified October 2026. Reviewed by a licensed Nevada clinician.
Parent Checklist: Is My Teen Struggling?
Check anything you've noticed for 2 weeks or longer. Nothing you check is saved or sent anywhere.
Normal Teen Moodiness or Something More?
Moodiness, privacy, and pulling away from parents are part of growing up. The difference is how long a change lasts, how intense the change feels, and how much the change gets in the way.
| Usually normal | Worth a closer look |
|---|---|
| Moody for a day or two after a bad week | Down, numb, or irritable most days for 2 weeks or more |
| Wants more privacy | Cut off from friends as well as family |
| Stays up late on weekends | Barely sleeps, or sleeps all day, most days |
| A bad test grade | Grades falling across the board, or skipping school |
| Nervous before a big game or test | Avoids school, friends, or activities out of fear |
| Tries new music, clothes, or friends | Talks about death, or hurts themselves |
Teens in Las Vegas Are Struggling
Nevada ranked 51st for youth mental health in Mental Health America's 2025 report. About 23% of Nevada youth had a major depressive episode in the past year, and nearly 60% of them received no mental health care.
Las Vegas adds its own pressures. Many parents work swing, graveyard, or weekend shifts on the Strip, so families miss each other. Summers above 110 degrees keep teens indoors and online for months. Schools are big, and many families moved here without grandparents or cousins nearby.
What Teen Therapy Looks Like
- 1.A first visit together. The therapist usually meets with you and your teen, then with your teen alone.
- 2.Weekly sessions. Most teens meet weekly, in person or by telehealth, for 45 to 60 minutes.
- 3.Parent check-ins. Many therapists hold short parent sessions every few weeks, or family sessions when the whole household needs to work on something.
Therapies with a strong track record for teens:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety and depression
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for intense emotions, self-harm, or risky behavior
- Family therapy for conflict at home
- Exposure and response prevention (ERP) for OCD
If medication might help, a child and adolescent psychiatrist or a psychiatric nurse practitioner evaluates your teen.
Does My Teen Need My Permission for Therapy in Nevada?
In Nevada, a parent or legal guardian usually gives consent for therapy and psychiatric care for anyone under 18. Nevada law makes exceptions for some teens, such as teens who are emancipated, married, living apart from their parents, or parents themselves (NRS 129.030). Teens are also allowed to consent to substance use treatment on their own (NRS 129.050). This is general information, not legal advice.
Will the Therapist Tell Me What My Teen Says?
Most therapists keep what a teen shares private, with important exceptions: a risk of serious harm to themselves or others, or abuse. Ask the therapist to explain the privacy rules to both of you at the first visit. Teens open up more when they know what stays private, and parents rest easier knowing when they'll be told.
What If My Teen Refuses?
Don't force a debate. Offer choices: in person or video, a man or a woman, a few names to pick from. Ask for three sessions before deciding. Many teens who refuse at first warm up once they find the right fit.
Help Through Your Teen's School
Every Clark County School District school has counselors, and many have school psychologists and social workers. Ask about a check-in plan, a 504 plan, or an evaluation if mental health is affecting school.
SafeVoice Nevada
Anonymous reporting for students, parents, and staff about threats, bullying, or a student at risk. Answered 24/7.
Phone: (833) 216-7233
Website: doe.nv.gov
Teen Mental Health Resources in Las Vegas
Children's Mobile Crisis Response Team
Crisis help for kids and teens under 18, by phone or in person, anywhere in Clark County. Available 24/7.
Phone: (702) 486-7865
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Free, confidential support for teens and parents, by call or text.
Phone: 988
Text: 988
Southern Nevada Child and Adolescent Services
State-run outpatient therapy, psychiatric care, and day treatment for children and teens.
Address: 6171 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89146
Phone: (702) 486-7664
Website: dcfs.nv.gov
Desert Willow Treatment Center
The state's psychiatric hospital for children and teens.
Address: 6171 W Charleston Blvd, Bldg 17, Las Vegas, NV 89146
Phone: (702) 486-8900
Website: dcfs.nv.gov
Nevada PEP
Free support and guidance from trained parents for families of children with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs.
Address: 7211 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89117
Phone: (702) 388-8899
Website: nvpep.org
NAMI Southern Nevada
Free support groups and classes, including youth and family programs.
Phone: (702) 890-9729
Website: namisouthernnevada.org
Find a Teen Therapist in Las Vegas
Tell us your teen's age, your insurance, and your schedule. Within 24 hours, we'll email you with therapists who work with teens and have openings. Free.
Two Stories From Around the Valley
These stories are examples, not real people or reviews.
Aaliyah, Henderson
Aaliyah, 15, started getting stomachaches every Monday and missed eight days of school by October. Her pediatrician found nothing wrong. Gloria, an LCSW, recognized anxiety and worked with Aaliyah and her school counselor on a step-by-step return plan. By spring, Aaliyah was back full time and trying out for the volleyball team.
Jordan, North Las Vegas
Jordan, 17, quit basketball, started vaping, and slept until 3 p.m. on weekends. His dad works graveyard, and the two barely crossed paths. Daniel, an LCPC, saw Jordan weekly and held family sessions on his dad's days off. Nevada Medicaid covered the visits. Jordan says the family sessions helped most, because his dad finally heard him.
What Teen Therapy Costs in Las Vegas
Nevada Medicaid and Nevada Check Up cover therapy and psychiatry for kids and teens, and Nevada Check Up covers families earning too much for Medicaid. Most employer plans cover teen therapy too. Without insurance, typical self-pay rates in Las Vegas:
| Type of visit | Typical rate |
|---|---|
| Therapy with a graduate student therapist | About $40 to $60 |
| Therapy with a post-graduate intern | About $90 to $125 |
| Therapy with a fully licensed therapist | About $125 and up |
| First psychiatric evaluation | About $150 to $375 |
| Psychiatric follow-up visit | About $100 to $250 |
See our Insurance and Cost guide, or find free and low-cost options.
Need Help Right Now?
For a child or teen in crisis, call the Children's Mobile Crisis Response Team at (702) 486-7865, 24/7. Call or text 988 any time. If someone is in danger, call 911.
Teen Therapy FAQ
How do I know if my teen needs therapy?
Watch for changes lasting 2 weeks or longer: pulling away, sleep changes, falling grades, lost interest, constant irritability, or worry keeping them from school or friends. Any talk of death or self-harm needs attention right away. Try our parent checklist.
Can my teen go to therapy without my permission in Nevada?
Usually not. In Nevada, a parent or guardian generally consents to mental health care for anyone under 18. Exceptions include teens who are emancipated, married, living on their own, or parents themselves, and teens seeking substance use treatment.
Will the therapist tell me what my teen says?
Most therapists keep a teen's sessions private, except for safety concerns such as risk of harm or abuse. Ask the therapist to explain the privacy rules to both of you at the first visit.
What if my teen refuses to go to therapy?
Offer choices, such as telehealth or in person, and a therapist your teen picks. Ask for three sessions before deciding. Many teens warm up once they find the right fit.
How do I find a teen therapist near me?
Look for a therapist who works mostly with teens and takes your insurance. Or tell us your teen's age, your insurance, and your schedule, and we'll email you within 24 hours with therapists who have openings.
Does insurance cover teen therapy in Nevada?
Yes. Nevada Medicaid, Nevada Check Up, and most employer plans cover therapy and psychiatry for teens.
What kind of therapy works best for teens?
CBT works well for teen anxiety and depression. DBT helps teens with intense emotions or self-harm. Family therapy helps when conflict at home is part of the problem.
Should my teen see a therapist or a psychiatrist?
Start with a therapist for most concerns. A psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner gets involved when medication might help, such as for moderate to severe depression, anxiety, or ADHD.
Ready to Find a Teen Therapist?
Tell us your teen's age, your insurance, and your schedule. Within 24 hours, we'll email you with therapists who work with teens and have openings. Free.
Find a Teen Therapist