Therapy for Teens
Being a teen can be stressful
The teens I work with struggle with self-doubt that won’t leave them alone. They are convinced that they are not good enough and worry that their friends don’t really like them. At minimum, they’re balancing schoolwork, friends and family life- and that load has become really heavy. My clients are deep thinkers and find themselves unwittingly carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders when they really just want to relax. They find themselves feeling upset very often and cannot understand why. These girls express themselves through writing or art, and are surprised at the intensity they find in these pieces. They often feel so different from those around them and worry that something is wrong with them.
Parents of these teens often come in with some of these concerns:
– “She is grumpy all the time and is only happy when she is with her friends”
– “She’s too sensitive!”
– “She is so hard on herself.”
– “There’s always something on her mind.”
– “It’s like she can never fully relax or have a good time.”
I can help!
I help teen girls take the power back from their inner critic and manage difficult emotions. Through our work together, my clients become more aware of who they are, what they want, and how to get there. They learn how to make themselves heard while staying calm and confident. They grow to genuinely love themselves as they are and build more meaningful relationships with those they care about. My clients learn how to live in the moment, let go of bothersome thoughts, and participate more fully in the things they enjoy.
The teens I see want to be in therapy. Whether it was originally their parent’s idea, a teacher’s or their own, they are ready to take the next step. They want things to change and are ready to do the work- and their families are ready to support them though this process.
Today I want you to think about all that you are instead of all that you are not.
info for teens:
Starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially if it’s a new experience for you. Here is some information about what our work together may be like:
The first step is a parent intake session where I gather background information and discuss your parents’ concerns. Next I’ll meet with you alone. Our first few sessions are a mini fact-finding mission (in the comfort of my office). We’ll talk about your interests and friends, family and school. As we get to know each other, we discuss what’s bothering you and what you’ve already tried. You’ll fill out some questionnaires to help me get to know you even better. Throughout this process, we talk about goals.
I then create a treatment plan to help you get the most out of therapy and assist you in meeting your goals.
I usually meet with teens once per week. I often incorporate art and play to make our sessions more fun.
Here are some examples of what we might do in different sessions:
- Identify what is important to you and why
- Create a toolbox of coping skills to manage those difficult emotions.
- Learn how to start doing more of the things you care about- even when having difficult thoughts and feelings.
- Practice living in the moment
- Process difficult experiences with EMDR.
- Practice communication skills
To make sure you get the most out of our work together:
- I’ll often suggest experiences to experiment with between sessions
- I will meet with your parents every few weeks and give them suggestions on how to best support you at home.
Once you’ve met your goals and our work together comes to an end, we’ll say goodbye. But here’s the thing- you will always be welcome to come back for a booster session (as many as needed).
Hopefully this helps you feel a little more comfortable about this whole therapy process. I look forward to meeting you!
Reach out today
Call 845-213-6243 or click below for a free 15-minute phone consultation.