Adolescents

What if…

 

someone

 
 

would

 
 
 

understand?

Adolescence can be so challenging at times. Teens are trying to figure out who they are in the world while having to navigate waves of physical, mental, social and emotional change. On top of this, there is pressure from the media, technology, school, peers and perhaps themselves to be a certain way, before knowing who they truly are or who they want to be. Individuating from parents can feel exhilarating, and they are in need of that solid and connected relationship, no matter how much they may thrash against it. They are also navigating very real relationships, sometimes for the very first time.

Due to a lot happening during this developmental period, we can see a lot of joy and thriving, and also at times things that are not ideal; low self-esteem, isolation, depression, anxiety and high-risk behaviors. Adolescents get more pleasure from engaging in risk-taking behaviors than children and adults combined. While this is somewhat “normal” for teens, it also makes sense that we want to make sure they have a good sense of how to make choices, feel self-love and valued.

What I hear a from teens is that it just feels good to be able to talk about what’s coming up for them and feel like someone understands. While problematic or worrisome behaviors might bring them into therapy and will be the primary goal, I love working with teens so that we can also zoom out and take a look at how they conceptualize stressors or challenges in general, to be able to impart healthy ways to respond (now and in the future).

My approach is authentic and down-to-Earth, with a focus on cultivating our relationship to establish trust. I don’t believe that adolescents are “kids”. They are their own hybrid of child and adult, and this is an important distinction in our work together. I invite adolescents to come as they are, and we can talk about whatever’s on their mind, with space to process and also tangible tools and techniques to walk away with. We can also laugh.

Areas of focus include:

  • Perfectionism

  • Peer relationships

  • Self-esteem

  • Adoption

  • Divorce

  • Reunification

  • LGBTQIA++ . I am a WPATH member, working with Trans youth. WPATH conference 2024 attendee

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Trauma

  • Academic pressure

  • Grief and Loss

  • Self-harm

  • Suicidal Ideation

You are enough.