Teens:
Everyone else has so many expectations for who you are and what you should be doing, but you’re just not sure where you fit. School can feel overwhelming no matter what your grades are, because it seems as though everyone is looking at you and judging your next step.
If this feels like you, you are not alone.
In therapy, we can work together to create a space where you feel heard and respected. We’ll build goals around what you want for yourself, and find what works so that you can feel less self-conscious and more confident.
Many of my clients come to therapy for help with things like…
Anxiety. Everything just feels so scary. And you can’t stop thinking about everything that could go wrong. We can work together to face your anxiety so that it doesn’t get in the way of the things you are capable of doing.
Bullying. When being nice or just ignoring them it isn’t working, we can try out some different strategies to set boundaries and stand up for yourself.
Stress. It’s hard to keep up with the pressures of school and sports and band and friends…and you’re exhausted and just want to check out and doom-scroll for as long as you can. If you’re trapped in burn out, we can step back and take a breath together and find some real-life changes that allow you to take care of yourself and prioritize the things that are most important to you.
Loneliness. Sometime it feels like everyone else has found their people, and you don’t know why you haven’t. Let’s work to find and build relationships that are genuine and supportive.
College Transition. Stuck waiting and worrying about what happens when you graduate? I’ve worked in high schools and college, and I’d be happy to help you figure out what’s next for your life (without letting the uncertainty overwhelm you).
Parents & Caregivers:
You have always wanted what’s best for your teen, but it’s becoming harder to figure out what that is. It seems impossible to get them to really talk to you, let alone keep up with all the demands of your work, home, and other family members. You’re worried, but never sure if you should interfere or let them handle on their own. If you’ve read this far, it seems like ready to reach out for help.
Therapy can be a safe space where teens feel comfortable learning to process their emotions and working to solve their own problems. My goal is to empower them, so I will not talk down to or tell them that everything is fine. Instead, I work to really listen and validate what they are feeling, empowering them to make their own decisions and define their own identity.
The input and support of parents and caregivers can be very beneficial to the therapeutic process. We can work together in parent consultations and/or family sessions to solve problems and improve communications in ways that can benefit you and your teen. I also love working directly with parents in individual counseling on personal and parenting goals; we could ALL use extra support! Let’s figure out what will work best for your family!