Therapy to heal anxiety and trauma for pre-teens and teens

What teen therapy can help with:

• Emotional wellbeing (reducing stress, anxiety, fear, anger, irritability, depression)

• Self-esteem

• Disordered eating and developing a positive body image

• Peer relationships

• Processing family conflict and transitions such as divorce, grief, separation

• Processing trauma

• Academic & school performance (including accessing appropriate accommodations & supports for teens in the school environment)

• Identity exploration and affirmation (including gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, neurodivergence)

• Replacing self-harming behaviors with healthy coping skills & joyful habits

• Making choices about the future

How does teen therapy work and how are parents/caregivers involved?

Teen therapy utilizes a mixture of talk therapy & therapeutic tools along with healing approaches that are specific to the teen’s interests to process distressing emotions, promote positive self-esteem, and practice new ways of being in the world. For example, some teens find a lot of peace in nature, so we might go for a hike together for a session. Other teens might love music, art, or gaming. (YES, even video games can be a part of healing!) I incorporate a teen’s interests into therapy, because this is where healing happens.

Parents and caregivers are instrumental in supporting their teen in practicing the skills from therapy and deepening emotional connections within the parent/caregiver-child bond. I will work closely with each teen’s family unit to provide psycho-education, coaching, and collaboratively create a plan for wellbeing for the teen and the family as a whole. We may have sessions that include both parents/caregivers & teens to facilitate understanding & communication. I also collaborate closely with a teen’s whole team including but not limited to family members, teachers, case managers, psychiatrists, and pediatricians.

“The home is the original school of love.”

—bell hooks