Belonging at School – Helping Teens Feel Wanted in Academic Spaces

Written by Haythem Lafhaj, PLMFT

Adolescence is a stage where the need for belonging is deeply felt. For many teenagers, school is not just a place to learn—it’s where identity, self-worth, and resilience are shaped. But what happens when school becomes a place of rejection instead of connection? In one case study I explored, a 16-year-old Tunisian-American student faced bullying after relocating to the United States. He struggled not only with academic pressure but also with cultural adjustment, making school feel more like a battleground than a community.

This story highlights something critical: *teens thrive academically and emotionally when they feel wanted at school.* When schools embrace diversity, celebrate cultural identities, and create safe environments, students gain confidence. Strategic Family Therapy (SFT) was used in this case to address bullying, improve communication at home, and provide coping tools for the adolescent. The approach worked because it was collaborative—it honored the teen’s voice while equipping the family to support him better.

Teachers, counselors, and administrators play a vital role. Small acts—calling a student by their preferred name, acknowledging their strengths, and intervening in bullying with empathy—can change a teen’s entire relationship with school. When schools show, “You matter here,” adolescents feel seen, heard, and wanted.