Teen Counseling

If you're raising a teenager, you're likely familiar with the daily adventures and challenges that come with this stage. Here's why:

Teenagers are in a critical developmental stage called Identity vs. Role Confusion. Their main task is to solidify their sense of self—this includes their values, interests, personality, and social interactions. This is a significant and complex undertaking.

At the same time, societal expectations push teens to make major career and life decisions earlier than ever before. But how can a teen decide their future path while they’re still exploring who they really are?

This leads to a core paradox of adolescence:

• Teens crave independence but still need parental guidance.

• They are often treated both like children and adults, yet they feel like neither.

• They require time and space to discover themselves, yet they face pressing deadlines for life-defining choices.

These conflicting pressures can result in mood swings, behavioral issues, and strained relationships, which may cause you to question your connection with your teen.

Recognizing this struggle can help you approach your relationship with empathy, patience, and support as your teen navigates this crucial developmental journey.

Some common mental health challenges facing today’s teens include:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Self-Harm

• Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity (ADHD)

• Adjustment/Transition Difficulties

• Peer Relationship Difficulties

• Family Relationship Difficulties

• Academic Challenges

• Sexual Identity Development Challenges

• Gender Identity Development Challenges

• Racial/Cultural Identity Development Challenges

• Spiritual Development Challenges

• Navigating Career/Vocational Decisions

• And more…

As a parent, there’s only so much you can do to fix or navigate these challenges for your teen. They may need extra support to manage these complex issues, and that’s where therapy can make a meaningful difference.

To successfully navigate the complexities of the teenage years, teens need two key elements: security in themselves and security in their relationships with others. I use Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) to help teens achieve these needs. The process begins with building a secure connection between me and your teen, providing a safe space for them to express their emotions and thoughts while feeling understood. From there, we explore deeper aspects of their identity or focus on strengthening their relationships with others.

When appropriate, family therapy is integrated to help you and your teen build mutual safety and secure connections. For teens struggling with emotional regulation or problem behaviors, I incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to equip them with practical skills for managing day-to-day challenges effectively.

Starting Your Teen’s Therapy Journey

• Free 15-Minute Phone Consultation: Schedule a complimentary call to discuss your concerns. You may include your teen if you wish.

• Multiple Contact Options: Reach out through phone, email, or text to have your questions answered or to schedule the first session.

• Streamlined Paperwork: Easily consent to therapy and verify you insurance benefits using our online system.

• First Session: A meeting exclusively for the parent or guardian to review your teen’s history and set therapy goals.

• Subsequent Sessions: Typically one-on-one meetings between me and your teen to address their individual needs. Family sessions are scheduled as appropriate.

This process ensures a strong foundation and clear goals for your teen’s path to wellness.