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Therapy for teens

AGES 13-19

 

The teenage years can be tough: for them and for you.

This is a time when your teen is learning and wanting more independence, but still has to follow rules and structure of school and home. A time when friends and social activities become the priority (totally developmentally appropriate!), making it difficult for parents to understand why your teen has become distant or not coming to them as often for support.

Pressures from home, school, and peers may cause negative beliefs and feelings to develop at the same time when the search for understanding who they are is in the forefront. Without the right tools, this can lead to struggles around learning, social interactions, and utilization of unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol, drugs, or self harm. It is sometimes difficult for teens to look outside their inner worlds and find hope in the future.

Maybe you’re noticing:

  • A sudden drop in school performance and/or increase in worry around school

  • Need for perfection is disrupting daily life

  • Excessive anxieties/worry that is stopping them from doing things

  • Increase in moodiness, irritability and quick to anger

  • Noticeable changes in sleeping habits

  • Noticeable changes in sleeping and eating habits

  • Excessive phone use

  • Withdrawing from family, friends and social activities/hobbies

  • Talking about death or expressing suicidal thoughts

  • Engaging in self-harm behaviors, alcohol or drugs

You are welcome here.

 

MY APPROACH TO WORKING WITH TEENS

Similar to my approach with adults, I offer a space that is laid back, relatable, and approachable. Building rapport and developing trust is crucial in working with teens, so a lot of time in the beginning is spent on getting to know each other. The difficult stuff is also addressed, ya know the stuff you worry about as a parent, but there is definitely space for fun. I also want to be sure the teen knows they have a say in what happens and their opinions, thoughts, and feelings are seen, valued, and heard.

Therapy might look a little different for every teen (just as it would for any client) based off their needs. We will work on goals that you as a parent see as important, but I will also be sure to figure out what they care about and what is important to them as well to ensure optimal success and motivation is present.

Therapy can help your teen:

  • Have a judgment free, supportive space outside of the home, family and school to process and make meaning difficulties in their life and work towards healthy development of own identity

  • Learn tools and coping skills to regulate feelings and manage stress

  • Identify thoughts and feelings they are experiencing

  • Enhance communication skills

  • Developing a healthy self-esteem, self-image and confidence

  • Help with managing depression and anxiety

  • Identify helpful strategies for academic success

  • Increase skills around relating with peers

I’m here to support your teen as they grow into new phases of life.

FAQS

Common questions about therapy for teens

  • As a parent, it is difficult to witness your teen struggling and feeling like you do not know what to do to help. You might have tried all the things you know to do to help and still feel helpless. Research shows that kids benefit the most from therapy when their parents are involved. It is also important for you to identify your own stress present and how this may be creating a barrier for optimal connection. I’m here to also help you gain tools to help you support your teen through the process as well as effective ways to communicate.

  • The length of time depends on each teen’s specific and unique needs and therapeutic interventions appropriate for your concerns. Some client’s find 6-8 sessions is sufficient to make sufficient progress while others continue longer for around 20 sessions. We will work together to decide what might be the best for you and your teen and communicate regularly around progress and continued need for therapy. My goal is to help empower you to get through the difficult moments on your own and to help you gain skills in your toolbox to use after our time together is done!

  • Tik Tok is a great space to learn about the basics of mental health concerns and for the support from a community of people who experience the same things. It does not provide the benefits that you get from the interaction with a therapist who can provide insights, identify patterns, and challenge you towards growth.