Therapy for Teens
Being a teen today is hard.
Between trying to keep up with assignments posted online, navigating the complexities of social media, maintaining friendships, balancing growing independence with family expectations, and figuring out who they are, it can feel like the world is moving way too fast.
If you’re a teen, you might feel like nothing you do will ever be enough. If you’re a parent, you might feel shut out, worried, or unsure how to help.
I work with teens in a way that helps them slow down, enjoy the journey, and feel confident enough to take the reins on creating the life they want.
Recognizing the Challenges Teens Face
Academic and performance pressure
Feeling like a bad person if their grades drop
Big projects or exams bring intense stress
Avoiding assignments they don’t understand right away
Anxiety, stress, or panic attacks
Constantly worrying about the future
Overthinking everything they say or do with friends
Missing school so often that attendance is a concern
Social struggles
Feeling responsible for friends’ mental health
Lacking close friendships or feeling like they don’t fit in
Bullying, both in person and online
Identity exploration
Frequently changing friend groups, style, or values
Searching for labels to describe what they’re going through
Exploring gender, sexuality, culture, or neurodivergence and feeling nervous about how others will react
Family conflict
Withdrawing from family time
Feeling misunderstood
Tension over changing roles and responsibilities at home
Low self-esteem or self-worth
Constant comparisons to others
Feeling “never enough” no matter how hard they try
Reacting strongly to feedback, whether with anger or tears
Grief, loss, or big life changes
Difficulty adjusting to a new school
Grieving a loved one
Feeling caught between divorced parents
Depression or hopelessness
Struggling to find motivation for even basic daily tasks
Losing interest in their hobbies or sports, and spending hours online instead
Wondering if things will ever get better
How I Help
When I work with teens, I focus on building trust first — because no coping skill, insight, or strategy will work if they don’t feel safe and understood with me.
In therapy, we work to:
Create a space where they can speak openly without fear of getting in trouble
Untangle their thoughts and feelings so they understand them, making them feel more manageable
Identify what’s causing stress, anxiety, or other strong emotions, and then learn ways to prevent overwhelm and cope when it does happen
Practice healthy communication and self-advocacy with teachers, friends, and family
Understand and respect their own needs and boundaries, while also recognizing and respecting those of others
Strengthen problem-solving and decision-making skills to feel more confident handling challenges independently
Focus on what’s within their control and learn to accept what isn’t, acting on what they can and letting the rest go
My Approach with Teens
Collaborative: I involve teens in shaping our sessions so it’s not just me talking at them. I know they’re capable, and I trust that they know themselves best. We work together toward the goals they care about most.
Respectful: I treat teens like the developing adults they are, keeping at the forefront of my mind that they too are capable of insight, choice, and growth. It’s their life, and they deserve a say in how it goes and what matters most to them.
Flexible: We might talk, draw, make collages, use sandtray, or try other kinds of creative exercises (whatever helps them feel comfortable expressing themselves). I encourage this self-advocacy, because learning to tell a professional what they do and don’t want to do is great practice for speaking up in other areas of life.
Trauma-informed: Many teens have experienced emotional wounds that affect how they think and act. Even something like witnessing a school fight, being bullied, or frequent school changes can leave a lasting impact. I validate these experiences and help them see that healing from them is both possible and worth the effort.
I often integrate:
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) or Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) for trauma, anxiety, or painful memories
Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help them understand the different parts of themselves and how those parts try to protect them
Sandtray Therapy for externalizing thoughts and feelings when words aren’t enough
For Parents & Caregivers
Seeking therapy for your teen isn’t admitting fault or stepping back from your role as their primary support. It’s adding another layer of care—so your relationship isn’t carrying the full weight of every challenge alone.
I can help bridge the gap between you and your teen by:
Providing a safe outlet for them to express themselves. Many teens love their parents deeply but hold back to avoid adding stress at home. Therapy gives them a trusted space to unload without worrying about protecting you.
Helping you understand what they can’t always put into words. Articulating emotions is hard (many adults struggle with it too!). Think of this as tutoring for an essential life skill.
Offering strategies for navigating conflict and building emotional skills. This might mean family sessions or helping your teen feel more confident working through challenges outside of therapy.
Encouraging healthy boundaries and mutual respect at home. Whether you join sessions or not, your feelings are brought into the conversation so your teen can better understand your perspective when they’re ready to hear it.
What Healing Can Look Like
Feeling more confident in who they are
Being able to talk about hard things without shutting down
Managing stress and emotions in healthier ways
Building relationships that feel supportive and mutual
Developing hope for their future
What It’s Like to Work Together
In my office, teens don’t have to pretend to be fine. They can be quiet, silly, serious, frustrated, or curious — whatever they need to be that day.
I show up real, open, and without judgment, so they know this is a space where their voice matters.
We’ll work together to make therapy feel more like a resource, not just another obligation for them to struggle with. Whether that means taking breaks, using fidgets, or diving deep into conversations, I’ll adapt to what works for them.
Your Teen Deserves Support
Every teen deserves a place where they can feel accepted for who they are while also being challenged to grow in ways that feel safe and empowering.