Therapy for Teens/Adolescents

Being a kid or teen can be hard! A lot of pressure, a lot of feelings, and a lot of expectations — often all at once. For many kids and teens, especially those who are neurodivergent or just wired a little differently, it can feel exhausting to try to keep up.

 

Many of the teens I work with are smart, creative, sensitive, curious, and deeply interested in specific topics. Some are the kids who get labeled as “unmotivated” or “defiant,” when really they’re overwhelmed, bored, misunderstood, or burned out. Some are nerdy, quirky, or passionate about things like sci-fi, weather, gaming, or cosplay — and honestly, that’s a strength. (I’m a Star Trek fan, a weather nerd, and I love a good cosplay convention, so I genuinely enjoy connecting around those interests.)

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Therapy with me isn’t about forcing kids to “act normal” or fit into a box that doesn’t work for them. It’s about understanding how their brain works, learning ways to navigate emotions and stress that actually make sense for them, and building skills for school and life without constant shame or pressure.

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In sessions, we might work on:

• Making sense of anger and other big feelings

• Finding ways to get through schoolwork that don’t lead to total burnout

• Executive functioning skills, in a realistic and flexible way

• Identity, self-confidence, and feeling okay being who you are

• Learning how to advocate for needs at school or at home

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My approach is collaborative, low-pressure, and paced to the child or teen in front of me. I aim to create a space where they can be themselves, feel respected, and not have to mask or perform. I also involve caregivers when helpful, while still honoring a teen’s need for autonomy and privacy.

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If your child or teen feels like they’re always “too much,” “not enough,” or just different in a way that feels hard — they don’t have to figure it out alone. Therapy can be a place to feel understood and supported, exactly as they are.