Will my parents know everything I talk about in therapy?

Teen therapy sessions are confidential, meaning we don't share details of what you discuss without your permission. The main exceptions are situations involving immediate safety risks (like thoughts of suicide or harm to others) or abuse. We'll always discuss confidentiality limits clearly with you and your parents at the start of therapy.

How do I know if I actually need therapy or if this is just "normal" teen stuff?

If your thoughts, feelings, or behaviors are interfering with school, friendships, family relationships, or your overall happiness and functioning, therapy can help. You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from support. Many teens find therapy helpful for navigating normal but challenging aspects of adolescence.

What if I don't want to talk or feel uncomfortable opening up?

That's completely normal! Many teens feel hesitant initially. We go at your pace and use different approaches to help you feel comfortable. Some teens prefer art, music, or activity-based therapy initially. Building trust takes time, and there's no pressure to share more than you're ready to share.

Can therapy help with social media and phone addiction?

Yes, absolutely. We help teens develop healthier relationships with technology, set appropriate boundaries, and address anxiety or depression related to social media use. We focus on balance rather than complete avoidance, teaching skills for mindful technology use.

Is it okay to come to therapy if I'm LGBTQ+ or questioning my identity?

Yes, we provide affirming, supportive therapy for LGBTQ+ teens and those questioning their identity. Our therapists are trained in LGBTQ+-affirmative approaches and understand the unique challenges facing sexual and gender minority youth. Your identity is valid and deserves support.

What if my parents are making me come to therapy but I don't want to be here?

It's common for teens to feel resistant to therapy initially, especially when it wasn't their choice. We respect your feelings and work to understand your perspective. Often, therapy becomes more valuable once you experience having a neutral adult who listens without judgment and helps you work toward your own goals.

Therapy for teens

The teenage years are more challenging than ever before. Today's teens face pressures from social media, academic expectations, identity exploration, and rapidly changing social dynamics.

Through personalized sessions, we help teens manage anxiety, depression, identity questions, and the unique pressures of modern teenage life.

We provide specialized care that meets adolescents where they are, addressing the unique challenges of they face while building resilience, self-awareness, and healthy coping strategies for life.

How therapy can help teens

Develop healthy coping strategies for managing stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm
Build self-confidence and identity while navigating questions about who they are and who they want to become
Improve communication skills with family, friends, and authority figures
Process difficult experiences like bullying, trauma, family changes, or academic pressure

Learn emotional regulation skills to handle intense feelings and mood swings more effectively
Navigate social challenges including peer pressure, relationship issues, and social media dynamics
Address mental health symptoms like depression, anxiety, eating concerns, or self-harm behaviors
Prepare for future transitions including graduation, college, career decisions, and increased independence

What to expect?

We will create a Teen-Centered Treatment Approach
Our initial assessment focuses on understanding your teen's unique personality, challenges, strengths, and goals. We develop age-appropriate treatment plans that respect their growing independence while providing the structure and support they need. Every approach is tailored to your teen's developmental stage and personal preferences.

We provide specialized support for social media and technology challenges
We address the mental health impacts of constant connectivity, cyberbullying, FOMO, and social comparison. Our approach helps teens develop healthy digital boundaries, think critically about online content, and manage anxiety related to social media use.

We help teens navigate anxiety, depression, and mood challenges
Using evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), we help teens understand and manage overwhelming emotions, develop coping strategies for academic and social stress, and build resilience for handling life's ups and downs with greater confidence.

We offer identity exploration and self-esteem support
Adolescence is a crucial time for identity development. We provide a safe space for teens to explore questions about sexuality, gender identity, career interests, values, and personal goals. We help build authentic self-confidence and address issues like body image concerns, perfectionism, and peer pressure.

We address family relationship and communication challenges
Teen years often bring increased conflict and misunderstanding between teens and parents. We help improve family communication, establish healthy boundaries, and navigate the balance between independence and family connection. Family sessions can be included when beneficial for everyone involved.

We provide crisis support and suicide prevention
We take teen mental health crises seriously and provide immediate support for teens experiencing suicidal thoughts, self-harm behaviors, or acute mental health episodes. We work closely with families and schools to ensure safety while developing long-term strategies for emotional stability and well-being.

How We Help with Specific Teen Challenges

Our therapists specialize in addressing a wide range of challenges that teens face, including:

Anxiety and Social Fears
Teens struggling with anxiety or social fears often benefit from CBT and mindfulness techniques, which teach them to manage their worries and build confidence in social situations. We help teens understand their anxiety triggers and develop practical tools for handling panic attacks, social situations, and general worry.

Academic Stress and Performance Pressure
Academic stress is a common issue for teens in today’s competitive environment. We help them develop stress-reduction strategies, time management skills, and coping mechanisms to handle the pressure of schoolwork without feeling overwhelmed. We also address perfectionism and fear of failure that can paralyze academic performance.

Identity Exploration and Self-Esteem
Adolescence is a crucial time for identity development, and many teens struggle with questions about who they are and where they fit in. We provide a supportive space to explore sexual orientation, gender identity, personal values, and future goals while building authentic self-confidence and addressing body image concerns.

Social Media and Digital Challenges
We address the mental health impacts of constant connectivity, cyberbullying, FOMO, and social comparison. We help teens develop healthy digital boundaries and critical thinking about online content while maintaining meaningful connections.

Family Relationships and Communication
Teen years often bring increased conflict between adolescents and parents. We help improve family communication, establish healthy boundaries, and navigate the balance between growing independence and family connection, working to strengthen relationships rather than damage them.

Depression and Emotional Regulation
Many teens experience intense emotions they don’t know how to handle. We teach emotional regulation skills, help process difficult feelings, and provide strategies for managing depression, mood swings, and overwhelming emotions that can interfere with daily life and relationships.

The Importance of Parent Involvement

While teen therapy focuses primarily on your adolescent’s individual needs and maintains their confidentiality, parent involvement plays a crucial role in successful outcomes. Research consistently shows that teens benefit most when their families are engaged in the therapeutic process.

How parents can support their teen’s therapy journey

Create a supportive home environment where mental health is discussed openly and without judgment
Respect therapy boundaries while showing interest in your teen’s progress and wellbeing
Participate in family sessions when recommended by the therapist and agreed upon by your teen
Learn new communication strategies to reduce conflict and improve understanding at home
Understand your teen’s challenges through psychoeducation about adolescent development and mental health
Coordinate with other supports like school counselors, doctors, or other professionals when needed
Practice patience and consistency as teens work through their challenges and develop new coping skills

Parent consultation sessions
We offer separate parent consultation sessions to help you better understand your teen’s needs, learn effective parenting strategies for supporting their mental health, and address your own concerns about navigating this challenging time. These sessions respect your teen’s privacy while giving you the tools and knowledge you need to be their strongest advocate and support system.

Remember, seeking therapy for your teen doesn’t mean you’ve failed as a parent. It means you recognize your teen’s needs and are taking proactive steps to support their mental health and development during one of life’s most challenging transitions.

Who is this for?

Teens experiencing anxiety, depression, or persistent mood changes that affect daily functioning or school performance
Adolescents struggling with social media pressures, cyberbullying, or unhealthy technology relationships
Teens questioning their identity, including sexual orientation, gender identity, or personal values and beliefs
Students dealing with academic pressure, perfectionism, or school-related stress and anxiety
Teens experiencing family conflict, communication problems, or difficulty adjusting to family changes
Adolescents who have experienced bullying, trauma, or significant life transitions that impact their mental health
LGBTQ+ teens needing affirming support and guidance through identity exploration and coming out processes
Teens struggling with body image, eating concerns, or self-esteem issues related to appearance and social comparison
Adolescents engaging in risky behaviors, self-harm, or expressing thoughts of suicide or hopelessness
Teens from diverse cultural backgrounds seeking therapy that understands and respects their unique experiences
Any teenager feeling overwhelmed, misunderstood, or unable to cope with the challenges of adolescence

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