Mental Health

Many experience mental health issues during their teenage years. As life gets more complicated, human brains develop new pathways for complex thoughts and emotions. Old pathways become dormant, creating space for new ones that can better support an adult. 

 

By unpacking these issues in therapy and learning healthy ways to handle their symptoms, your teen can become more confident about living independently in the future. I can also help you to better support a teenager’s mental health journey as their caretaker.

 

I’m skilled at helping teens address a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, and more.

 

Here are some examples of common topics we may also discuss in tandem:

 

Technology and Social Media

Teenagers often use technology to socialize with their peers and decompress. Some teens, however, begin to rely on technology for validation, direction, and happy emotions. While this usage may help them feel temporary relief from mental health symptoms, it can quickly become dysfunctional or abusive.

 

Therapy can help your teen develop a positive, functional relationship with technology in the social world. We’ll work on strengthening their interpersonal skills and boosting their confidence in relationships with others. Depending on their own goals, I can also help them find new ways to manage their mental health issues, such as meditation, yoga, or self-reflection in nature.

 

Depression and Suicidality 

As teens become more aware of what goes on in the world, they may experience acute disappointment. The world can be a complex, confusing place, especially for adults-in-training who are still learning who they are and who they want to become. When teens don’t have a healthy outlet, their existentialism can turn into apathy about their own life and future.

 

If your teen has expressed these thoughts and emotions, they may benefit from regular therapy sessions. I aim to create a judgment-free space that allows us to navigate their questions and concerns freely. Together, we’ll discover how to find success and happiness in an uncertain world, while validating their own unique voice and perspective. 

 

Your child is not alone in this journey—and neither are you, as their caretaker.

 

Relationship Changes

As a person grows older, their core relationships with their family and peers can change drastically, often in unpredictable ways. A teenager may grow apart from a childhood friend or a peer may pressure them to try new experiences before they’re ready. At home, they could become at odds with their caretaker over setting boundaries. 

 

If a teen becomes overwhelmed by these changes, they may engage in self-destructive activities, or lose interest in socializing altogether. During therapy, your teen and I will discuss their core relationships in the past and present, and identify what changes have occurred already. Then, we’ll make a road-map for the future—allowing your teenager to better assert their  own needs and respect the wishes of others.

 

Body Image 

Teenagers have rapidly changing bodies—and social media gives them access to varied (and conflicting!) messages on how they should look. In therapy, we’ll unpack those messages and learn about their origins. We’ll also discuss puberty as a natural process that affects everyone differently. 

 

Depending on your teenager’s needs, we may talk through how body image can affect their relationship with food. As a result, your teen can develop a positive alliance with their body, making sure it has what it needs to thrive.

 

Decisions, Decisions

As people enter their teenage years, they start to encounter those large-scale decisions that have long-term consequences. Do I want to go to college? What should my major be? Do I want to start a family early, later, or do I not want kids at all? Some doors open while others shut, and many teens become overwhelmed by their own potential.

 

During therapy sessions, I’ll provide a safe space where your teen can grapple with these big life decisions. If they have negative feelings or anxieties about their future, we’ll figure out where those beliefs come from. As a result, your teen can feel confident about their next move and proud of their unique presence in the world.

 

Parental Support

Parental participation is a critical component of my teen therapy practice. Your child will be my client, but I’ll always aim to include you in their journey toward strong mental health. Teens yearn for new life experiences—as a result they often chafe at their parents’ rules and wishes, yet still require their guidance and support. I believe this partnership is the most effective way to keep your child safe while allowing the independence they need to become a thriving adult.