The number of teenagers and young adults attending therapy sessions for psychological purposes has skyrocketed in recent years. According to the January Bark survey, 49 percent of Redwood students have attended therapy as of 2025. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that among adolescents aged 12 to 17, the percentage who received mental health services in a specialty mental health setting (inpatient or outpatient care) in the past year increased from 11.8 percent (or 2.9 million people) in 2002 to 16.7 percent (or 4.1 million people) in 2019. Several factors have contributed to this rise, including a notable increase in mental health challenges among Generation Z (Gen Z) compared to other generations, greater accessibility to therapeutic services and the growing normalization of therapy, often fueled by social media. 

In 2015, Tamalpais Union High School District brought the Wellness Center to its campuses to provide free emotional, social, sexual and physical health services for students. Since then, the centers have grown increasingly popular for students whether they’re utilizing the space in private sessions, group sessions or just taking a moment to unwind during break. 

Brigitte Whittle is a senior at Tamalpais High School (Tam) who regularly attends therapy sessions with her provider at Tam through the Wellness Program.Whittle has found this very helpful as an emotional outlet.

“I think what prompted me to seek therapy the most was that I didn’t want to put anything that shouldn’t be put on my friends on my friends,” Whittle said. “I’ve been in a position where I was the ‘therapy friend,’ and while you do really want to help your friends, it’s just not something teenagers are equipped to do.”

Gen Z is more likely to be diagnosed with mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in comparison to previous generations. A study from Psychiatrist.com found that 42 percent of Gen Z have received a mental health diagnosis. The most common diagnosis for the younger generation is anxiety, followed by depression, ADHD and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. According to a multi-year study released in 2023, The Annie E. Casey Foundation determined that nearly two-thirds of Gen Z reported experiencing one mental health problem in the past two years, while also studying mental health problems in millennials (51 percent), Gen X (29 percent) and Baby Boomers (14 percent). 

There is considerable speculation about why Gen Z possesses behavioral differences and seeks therapy more frequently than previous generations. Many believe it’s linked to the stress caused by technology and social media; with constant online activity, issues like cyberbullying and social comparison contribute to mental health struggles.

Katanu Mbevi, a public relations intern pursuing psychology at Africa University, passionately spoke about the negative influence of social media on youth well-being through her TedTalk.  

“[Social media] is a highlight reel of your best and brightest moments,” Mbevi said. “Even though appreciating the good things in life isn’t a bad thing, the highlight reel is the cause of most teenagers’ insecurities today and that’s because we’re always comparing our struggles to other people’s highlight reels.” 

However, it’s also important to consider that there may be additional factors contributing to Gen Z’s accepting relationship with therapy. For one, Gen Z is currently at a vulnerable stage of life—youth and emerging adulthood—where identity development and life transitions can increase the inclination to seek therapy. Additionally, Gen Z is living in an era where mental health awareness is at an all-time high. 

“Most people that you talk to either go to therapy themselves or don’t view therapy as a negative thing,” Whittle said. “I think social media and being able to relate to your peers on such a grand scale has helped to destigmatize that.”

For much of history, mental health struggles have often been seen as personal flaws or moral failures. Cultural norms have promoted self-reliance and dealing with your problems independently, which at times has scared people away from seeking treatment. 

However, Gen Z has been pivotal in changing these perceptions. Through social media, the generation’s embrace of vulnerability, coupled with greater access to information and resources, has made therapy more mainstream and accessible. Teletherapy is a form of therapy that uses technology to provide mental health services remotely. The rise of teletherapy has helped break down barriers to care and makes the idea of seeking help less intimidating, including apps such as BetterHelp and Talkspace. 

The hashtag ‘#TherapyTok’ has accumulated over 184,000 posts on TikTok alone. The app was created in 2016, with 60 percent of users being from Gen Z, so it is evident that this sentiment towards therapy is popular in teenagers’ and young adults’ social media streams. On apps such as TikTok and Instagram, young people share relatable experiences such as navigating school stress, body image struggles and social pressures. 

The telehealth empire has only expanded, with influencers and therapists such as @TherapyToThePoint on TikTok openly spreading awareness and encouraging others to seek help.

Run by Jeffrey Meltzer, the @TherapyToThePoint account has over 454,000 followers and 11.4 million cumulative likes. 

In his brief biography, Meltzer shared, “I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor based in Florida. I graduated with a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from the University of South Florida and have been providing therapy services for five years. I aim to deeply understand your challenges and goals while striving to provide a space where you feel comfortable expressing yourself.”

Meltzer runs a TikTok, Instagram and YouTube account and is available for viewers to book virtual sessions with him. Although Meltzer’s page can be found as resourceful, not all social media accounts have the education and credentials to back up their content and advice.

The “trendification” of therapy among Gen Z raises concerns, particularly around the potential oversimplification of therapy. There is a risk that some might seek therapy for the purpose of appearing self-aware or trendy, rather than genuinely addressing their mental health needs. Furthermore, while the internet has made mental health resources more accessible, it cannot truly replace professional therapy.

 Online content, self-help blogs or mental health apps can provide useful advice, but they may lack the personal, tailored guidance that licensed therapists offer. True healing requires engagement with trained professionals who address the complexities of mental health, something that cannot be fully achieved through surface level trends or internet advice.