Counseling for Teens
Is Your Teen A Good Candidate For Counseling?
Does your teen child exhibit symptoms of anxiety, depression, or stress?
Are you concerned about their ability to develop healthy relationships and participate in fulfilling activities?
Is it possible that your teen masks their true feelings by avoiding you, engaging in self-harm, or numbing with substances or other externalizing behaviors like excessive electronic use?
If your teen has developed mental health symptoms, academic setbacks, or interpersonal challenges, you may wonder what is developmentally appropriate and what signals a deeper issue. You may be worried that their challenges have significantly impacted their ability to function, leading to negative consequences and unhealthy outcomes.
Yet when you try to approach them, it may result in conflict or withdrawal. Your teen might feel like no one understands them, which causes them to isolate further. And you may be worried that their self-esteem and self-worth are being negatively impacted.
Maybe You’re A Teen In Search Of A Supportive, Understanding Adult
As a teen yourself, you probably don’t have very many spaces that feel “safe” or free of expectations. Without the opportunity to discuss some of your deepest fears and emotions, you don’t know how to verbalize your experience—and you may be left wondering what those emotions even are.
As a result, you feel like an outsider, even when it comes to your own identity. Unsure of where you fit in, you might prefer to turn inward or avoid new, challenging situations. Anxiety keeps you from feeling confident in your abilities, and you might even struggle with physical discomfort when put in situations that test you.
You may find yourself wishing you could just “skip” all the bad stuff and arrive at the version of yourself that feels most comfortable and at home. But it’s important to understand how vital these challenges are to shaping our identities and goals as adults. In therapy for teens, you can learn the coping skills to help you feel better now as you figure out ways to create the future you want for yourself.
The Teenage Years Are A Time Of Immense Pressure And Confusion
Teens may find it hard to believe, but we adults have been where they are! However, each of us has our own unique experiences, feelings, and understanding of teenagerhood. Some issues—like dating and relationships—will always stand the test of time when it comes to teens’ development. But other issues are nuanced and generational.
For instance, every generation grapples with their parents’ expectations of them, constantly raising the bar on what the previous generation accomplished. Yet, today’s children and teens have to contend with constant exposure to social media, further fueling issues of competitiveness and perfectionism. The pressure to be “acceptable”—and feel accepted—is constantly bearing down on youth, resulting in disproportionate rates of teen depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
It can get to a point where some teens feel that their situation is untenable, which is a deeply uncomfortable and frightening place to be. However, a therapist who specializes in working with teens can help create an actionable treatment plan—addressing core issues and not just surface-level symptoms.
I have a long history of counseling teens. While I have previously worked in school settings, I now work in private practice, offering tailored therapy for teens. I help clients untangle the loop of discomfort, resolve core issues driving symptoms, and develop new ways of thinking about their strengths and challenges.
Counseling For Teens At Pathways To Peace
Typically, teens don’t get many chances to feel like the expert in their lives, but counseling treats them as such. Our work together presents a safe opportunity to remove the mask and meaningfully process thoughts and emotions.
I welcome clients ages 12 to 18 in therapy. Though my counseling approach helps target symptoms of teenage depression, anxiety, and stress, I also welcome clients struggling with identity-specific issues, neurodiversity, trauma, and interpersonal relationships. Whether you’re a teen battling learning and social setbacks related to Autism or ADHD, or you’re interested in exploring elements of your race, gender, or sexual orientation, I will treat you with respect and empower you to tell your story.
What To Expect
Before beginning the teen counseling process, parents/guardians will be asked to fill out intake paperwork and briefly attend a check-in during the first session. This will give us a chance to get to know one another and clarify any questions or concerns you have about therapy.
From there, the process will be highly tailored according to the issues that the teen client brings to me. Sometimes clients know what they want to work on, and other times, I might have to be more directive in sessions so we can figure out what is going on beneath the surface. Whatever approach we take, we will collaborate in a way that incorporates all of you, whether that means tapping into emotional responses, physical sensations, or cognitive (thought-based) perceptions.
It might be comforting to know that we don’t always have to talk through painful experiences in order to grow. For instance, I commonly use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Brainspotting therapy in counseling for teens. Both methods are gentle, brain-based approaches that help reduce emotional and physical discomfort related to stress and trauma. Through these therapies, you will gain a deeper emotional awareness and understanding of your window of tolerance so you can practice staying in it.
Whichever approach is requested or determined to be most effective, the primary goal of therapy is to help clients feel safe and comfortable in the present. The ongoing practice of emotional skills helps teens stay regulated both in and out of the counseling session and offers a lasting reduction of symptoms—healing perspectives that can be carried well into adulthood.
I am passionate about working with teens in therapy and have years of experience counseling clients at this very unique moment in their lives. There’s not a lot that surprises me or that I haven’t already heard about emotions, which is why it is that much more important for me to truly hear what my clients are saying and aren’t saying. Teens can greatly benefit from a safe, neutral, and nonjudgmental therapist-client relationship. And in counseling for teens through Pathways To Peace, a new, more self-assured future is possible.
Still Unsure If Teen Therapy Can Help?
I don’t think I can get my teen to agree to counseling.
If you’re having a hard time convincing your teen to see a therapist, I encourage you to find out what their reservations are. Is there anything we can do for them to make the process less intimidating or uncomfortable? For instance, doing therapy sessions virtually may remove some of your teen’s unease about the process. Or perhaps they would be more open to the idea if we scheduled a brief consultation first.
I can work with resistance as long as it results in your teen committing to one session. The first step is helping them experience the relief that comes with reducing symptoms in real-time and working alongside a trusted, unbiased adult.
My teen has trouble relating to adults—can a counselor help?
Counseling is about building a therapeutic rapport and a sense of safety. My gentle approach is generally appropriate for all issues, including interpersonal and social challenges. As your teen and I develop a trusting relationship and target certain symptoms, they will likely become more open, expressive, and engaged with others.
I’m concerned about the cost of therapy.
Therapy is an investment, but the reward is a happier, healthier teen who will be more prepared to take on challenges in the future. If cost is a concern, note that I offer sliding scale rates on a limited basis and can provide you with a superbill if your insurance company offers reimbursement for out-of-network clinicians.
Understand Your Fears, Embrace Your Strengths
If you’re a teen or parent of a teen struggling with uncomfortable mental health symptoms, therapy can offer you lifelong skills for coping and resilience. To find out more, please contact me or schedule a free, 15-minute consultation.
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