Individual Therapy for Teens

Being a teenager is hard.

Their bodies are changing, their minds are expanding, their identities are shifting, and their hormones are raging. And that is just a start.

Life today is not easy for teens.

The pressure is unreal.

Peer pressure is constant and, at times, toxic. Teens want to be cool, admired, and accepted. It is clear they are going too far in trying to fit in and please the world, but it is hard to find a way in.

As a parent, your efforts to reach out and give caring and friendly advice often lead to silly arguments that nobody feels good about.

You walk away feeling like you are failing them.

Watching them suffer, it is hard to know what is “normal” and what warrants consultation, therapy, or intervention.

Performance anxiety increases.

The pressure to get good grades and impress others has enhanced the fear of failure.

School demands seem more challenging than ever. Even if they have good grades, they are worried about their future. They fear they may not make it to the university of their choice.

And then, what? Was all that effort wasted?

Some days, they want to hide in their room, covered with a blankie, and tune out the world.

The mood rollercoaster leaves everyone feeling spent.

As you wake up, you wonder, “What will happen today? Are they going to hold it together? Will there be a meltdown or slammed doors? “I don’t get it, or is the worst yet to come?”

Some days, the moods are so low they have trouble functioning. They stay in bed, decline to go to school, and tell you they are sick.

You feel helpless and confused. If you only knew how to talk to them without the volcano erupting again.

The pressure to get good grades and impress others has enhanced the fear of failure. Some days, you want to hide in your room, cover yourself with your blanket, and tune the world out until you feel better.

Teen therapy offers hope.

You do not have to navigate through this challenging phase alone.

Using evidence-based therapy, such as Cognitive-Behavioral and Mindfulness therapy, we will identify your teen’s strengths and use them as anchors in the coming months.

While working with them, I will provide a safe and comfortable environment, allowing them to be themselves.

We will explore their thoughts, emotions, and sensations through gentle guidance. Understanding their triggers will help them position themselves differently toward problematic behaviors or patterns.

We will use our body and breath to regulate and shift away from unpleasant experiences. Problems will be approached in a playful matter, making a new desired behavior a challenge they are willing to play. I will help them develop coping strategies and therapeutic tools they can use in any setting.

Parent involvement is essential.

I welcome parents’ involvement in therapy through feedback about progress at home, school updates, and other relevant information.

If appropriate, I collaborate with primary care doctors, schools, and other health professionals to create the net your teen needs to overcome their challenges.

Don’t let the challenges your teen faces go unchallenged. Therapy can make a difference for both you and your teen.

Call me, and let’s get started.