Therapy for Teens & College Students in California
A path to more
connection
resilience
confidence
fulfillment
in your teen's life.
Lately, your teenager hasn’t been themselves.
Adolescent years are rough, and you might be noticing your teen is having a particularly hard time recently. With the pressure of academics, extracurriculars, and college looming on the horizon — plus the physical changes and just trying to fit in — it's no wonder they feel overwhelmed and burnt out. All the upcoming changes could be piling onto their existing stress, and maybe you’re not sure how to help them when they’re pushing you away.
All you want is for them to be happy and healthy, and to grow into a successful, confident young adult. But with how things have been going, it might be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
It’s possible they’ve been…
Struggling with high achiever anxiety
Doubting their abilities & worried about meeting expectations
Expressing fear about the future
Reluctant to stray from their comfort zone or try new things
Dealing with bullying or issues in their friend group
Bottling up feelings or shutting down completely
Having mood swings that affect the entire household
Beating themselves up and constantly comparing themselves to their peers
It can feel helpless watching your child struggle this way.
Giving them an outlet through therapy can change everything.
How therapy works
Therapy can help your teen face the challenges of this stage of life with confidence.
In our sessions, your teen will have a safe space where they can just be themselves. We will work together to cultivate tools and skills to manage stress and worry less. I’ll support them in exploring who they are and what they want out of life, with the goal of helping them feel empowered to make decisions for themselves without getting overwhelmed.
In therapy, we’ll look at what healthy friendships and relationships should feel like so they can learn to identify and let go of unhealthy ones. Our work together can equip them with the communication skills to stand up for themselves when they need to and feel able to move through emotions without getting stuck in them. The work they do in therapy can lead to more enjoyment on their journey to young adulthood and beyond.
My approach
In therapy with me…
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Over nearly a decade of working with teens, I’ve found that the most important part at the beginning of our work is establishing trust and rapport. Whatever your child is feeling or going through, I meet them where they are without judgment or criticism, and make it a priority that they feel seen and heard in our sessions. I want them to know that I am a safe space for them to talk about anything.
Parents have told me that, along with my expertise, they felt good about their child working with me because I’m committed to always being honest. While I’ll always honor your child’s privacy, I’m happy to bring you in to talk through things if they are open to that.
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In the first session with your teen, we’ll start getting to know one another and talk about what's led them to see me. I’ll take the time to connect with them on their level, whether that’s over their hobbies, the music they love, or the shows they love to watch. Then, we’ll touch on what they’re struggling with, where they’d like to see themselves go in life, and how we can work toward getting there together.
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I’ll equip your child with tools and skills to manage stress and anxious thoughts, offering new insights and perspectives that can help them begin feeling more comfortable in their own skin. I’ll support them through understanding that comparing themselves to others is often unhelpful, and that healthy friendships and relationships won’t require them to change who they are.
I’ll encourage them to have conversations with you about how they’re feeling, so that they build communication skills that will carry into adulthood. Through this journey, they’ll find a sense of confidence that, along with the skills they’ll gain, will help them move through these turbulent years and come out the other side strong and capable.
Therapy can help your teen discover:
More confidence — They’ll have more confidence in themselves, their abilities, & their choices.
Ways to manage overthinking & anxiety — They’ll have tools and skills to find calm in any circumstance.
Their values — They’ll know what’s important to them & how to stay true to themselves.
Goals for the future — They’ll look forward to what’s to come & know how to get there.
free consultation
Ready to see your child reach their full potential?
Click the link below to schedule a free, 20-minute phone consultation. Then, I can answer any questions you may have and get to know a bit more about what has led you to seek therapy for your child. If you feel we’re a good fit, we’ll schedule our first session. My practice is fully online, which means your child can access well-being from the comfort of their own space. If they pursue college in California, I can continue supporting them from there, too.
Frequently asked questions about teen therapy
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This varies from client to client. I always find that teens get the most out of therapy when they feel they have some agency in their experience. If they’re open to it, I’m happy to include parents in some sessions, but I’ll always encourage them to practice communicating on their own. Of course, if anything comes up that I think could be dangerous or harmful, I’ll always let parents know.
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While it is absolutely normal for teens to go through ups and downs, persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness might be signs of deeper depression. If you’ve noticed your child isolating themselves or not bouncing back like they used to, supporting them through therapy could be the best way to help them get through it.
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Yes, therapy can be very effective in helping teens manage anxiety. It helps them understand their anxious thoughts, teaches coping skills, and provides a safe space to explore underlying issues that might be contributing to their worrying.