Teen Therapy

“This is not the path I wanted for my child!”

Every morning, it becomes another fight to get them out of bed and off to a good start for the day. How do you know, as a parent, if your teen is trying to get out of responsibilities and stay in bed or if they genuinely have intense, panicked feelings in the morning before school that leave them frozen in fear and dread? They seem fine on weekends with their friends or at home.

You feel like you’re walking on eggshells around your child. Any confrontation or comment threatens to erupt into another battle. You feel like they’re screaming out for attention – any attention – but you aren’t sure how to help them anymore after you’ve tried everything.

You’re exhausted from fighting with them, begging and pleading with them, reasoning with them, and bargaining. You’ve even tried bribery!

Tests, school pressure, SAT testing, college preparation, and trying to fit in, make friends, and navigate the high school social jungles can create a lot of pressure for teens.

The transition to adulthood isn’t easy.

In my years of experience as a therapist, I have worked with hundreds of adolescents and families. I have seen and heard it all.

I’ve helped families return from the brink and helped teens find strength within themselves to heal and grow.

Mental health is an issue for many teens as well as adults. Depression and anxiety can begin in the teen years and even in younger children as well. We blame “raging hormones” and “teenage angst,” but when the issue is more profound than what lies on the surface, talk therapy can help.

Teenagers are not just small adults; what works with many adults in therapy may not work for teens.

Here’s where I can help.

Using evidence-based practices like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Mindfulness Skills Training, I have helped many teens learn new skills to cope with intense feelings of anxiety, anger, ADHD, panic disorder, and depression.

In talk therapy, we can also address difficulties with transitions, like making new friends in a new school and coping with family difficulties, divorce, gender, and sexual identity. I have also helped teens and young adults cope with symptoms of ADHD and concentration through coaching to improve study and organizational skills.

Parental involvement is critical in teen therapy. I conduct most sessions without parents present so your child and I can become more comfortable working together. Family sessions can also be incredibly productive and healing with a neutral person there to help validate feelings and keep the work on track. Your family can learn new skills to improve communication, handle conflicts more effectively, create appropriate boundaries, and enjoy family time together.

Let’s help get your teen on the right path during this challenging transition and pressure. Contact me today for more information on how I can help you and your teen.