Teens
Adolescents are growing up in a stress filled culture as much as we try to protect them. They’re smart and aware, seeking independence and challenging the rules. Family, peers, school and extra curricular activities all factor into their functioning. It is important for teens to develop skills to deal with stress and to learn and grow within a nurturing system of support to build healthy boundaries and self-esteem. To find their voices and express themselves in a way in which they feel heard, often they can benefit from the support of an adult who is outside their family.
I work with teens with a range of needs and diagnoses including teens who are experiencing depression, anxiety, AD/HD, low self-esteem, family transitions and peer & behavioral concerns.
Therapy with teens takes trust and understanding. It’s developmentally appropriate to make mistakes, to struggle and to explore and develop one’s identity. Frequently the perspective and behaviors of teenagers can be supported by the lens of a therapist, especially when the teenager can see the therapist and as trusted advocate. I serve to support both the teenager and the family, in order to encourage everyone to survive the teen years together.
