Adolescent and Teen Therapy
Ages 11-18
The teenage years can be a confusing and tender time for the entire family. Although our society has become increasingly more aware of mental health than ever before, today’s youth are struggling. In fact, it’s estimated that half of all adolescents have had a mental health disorder at some point in their lives.
While some children talk to their parents about their feelings, many hesitate or avoid the conversation altogether. This can certainly put parents in a precarious position. You want what’s best for your child, but you don’t want to overstep or say the wrong thing.
If you sense your teenager is struggling, early intervention and professional support can be crucial for your child’s well-being. Therapy offers a compassionate, non-judgmental environment to unpack mental health concerns and learn new ways to cope with their stress.
Therapy provides a compassionate space to address mental health concerns and develop coping strategies.
Common Issues Treated in Adolescents and Teenagers
Specialized therapy and guided support for adolescents and teenagers
Main areas of treatment:
Distress Tolerance and Emotional Regulation
Are you concerned about your child’s impulsivity? Are there signs of self-harm, substance use, or suicidal ideation?
These can be such sensitive topics- your teenager can benefit greatly from connecting with an experienced mental health provider who gets it. I have extensive experience working with this population, and I value blending my expertise with humor and authenticity in my work.
First things first- your child’s safety is an utmost priority. If your teen is in a crisis, we’ll tackle that first. Building rapport here is essential- my job is to hold compassionate space for them to help them feel safe and supported. Throughout treatment, we’ll work on identifying and utilizing coping skills they can use to immediately take care of themselves.
Therapy for distress tolerance and emotional regulation includes:
- understanding how certain triggers cause various behavioral responses
- learning new ways to manage stress
- improving self-esteem and strengthening communication skills
- engaging in more mindfulness practices when emotions feel overwhelming
Low Self-Esteem
It’s painful for parents to watch their teenagers struggle with their confidence and self-worth. You see the best in your child- it’s heartbreaking when they feel poorly about themselves.
Peer pressure, academic stress, social media, and concerns about the future can all affect self-esteem. Therapy for self-esteem issues is multifaceted and may include:
- understanding the specific triggers impacting self-esteem using a strengths-based approach to harness your child’s inherent wisdom and strengths
- empowering your child with effective problem-solving strategies
- helping your child improve their connections with trusted supports, including family members, friends, teachers, and coaches
Depression
Depression symptoms can emerge at any age, but they often first appear during the teen years. Your child may present as withdrawn or disconnected. They may be more agitated or fatigued. You may also notice changes in functioning- this can include no longer wanting to spend time with friends or losing interest in school or extracurricular activities.
Depression is not necessarily a phase that teenagers experience- it is a serious mental health condition that can compromise your child’s quality of life. The good news is that it’s treatable.
In my work with teenagers, we treat depression by:
- addressing any crisis issues associated with depression, such as self-harm or suicidal ideation
- identifying healthier coping skills to manage depression symptoms
- setting boundaries and improving communication skills
- identifying inherent strengths and virtues in daily life
Anxiety
Anxiety shows up in so many forms, ranging from obvious panic attacks to ruminating thoughts to phobias to social discomfort. Teenagers with anxiety may be perfectionistic with schoolwork or athletics; some of them will also procrastinate or avoid tasks that feel too daunting.
In my work with anxiety, we will focus on:
- understanding the irrational thoughts that often accompany anxiety
- reducing and managing stress appropriately
- gently exposing your child to feared situations to reduce chronic anxiety
Family Issues
Your child is a product of many systems: their family, school, peer group, friends, culture, etc. All of these influences affect who they are and what they value.