Therapy for Teens
Your teen seems to be in a funk they just can't shake.
They're not doing as well in school and feeling anxious and stressed about assignments and peer relationships. They drop comments about not wanting to go to school. They're not hanging out with friends as much, and spending more time alone than they used to. You notice they're putting a lot of pressure on themselves to be perfect, and getting down on themselves if they don't do how they think they "should."
They're easily irritable and seem to take it out on you, and don't think you "get it." These days you have more arguments and frustrated conversations than the laughs and fun you used to have.
You know parenting a teen changes things, but this feels different. You're worried about your kid.
Whether these changes in your teen are due to stressors in school, peer relationships, or family changes and transitions, therapy can greatly help teens who need an outlet.
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While some teens are interested and open to the idea of therapy, some are resistant because they have an idea in their mind about what therapy looks like - maybe a picture of a stuffy and serous therapist "making me talk about things I don't want to." Or they think that having to go to therapy is about them "being in trouble" rather than it being a place of support. While therapy can be challenging at times, it is mostly a supportive space that can help teens feel more confident about themselves, and build skills to navigate the challenges they are facing in a way that works better for them.
I meet kids where they are at and go at their own pace. We work on what they want to that can help, and build up to the things they need help on but might feel resistant to talking about at first. Therapy isn't about them being "lectured at" by another adult, but talking with someone who gets it, can speak their language, and can help. Far from the stuffy and serious therapist they might be picturing in their mind, therapy with me is a place where we work on hard things, make progress, and also have some laughs at the same time.
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If you think your teen could benefit from therapy, check out next steps by following the link below.
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Areas I work with:
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Anxiety & Stress
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Social Skills / Challenges with Peers
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Self-Esteem
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Coping and Self-Regulation Skills
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Depression symptoms - low mood, not doing things they used to, isolating, irritable, hard on themselves.
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Traumatic Experiences
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Divorce / Separation
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Blended Family Dynamics
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Grief & Loss
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School Challenges
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Family Transitions and Adjustment Challenges
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I use Solution Focused and Narrative Therapy primarily with teens. I also use some Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and am trained in Trauma Focused CBT (TF-CBT) & EMDR for helping kids recover from traumatic experiences.