THe teen years can be tough years.
Therapy for Teens in El Dorado Hills
Are you wondering who you really are?
Are you constantly fighting with your parents?
Are you convinced all your friends are doing better than you?
Therapy can help.
The teen years—nothing quite like them. Some will tell you these are the best years of your life. Um…..whoever is saying that never took a PE class.
While some parts of the teenage experience are exciting and will make memories for a lifetime, overwhelmingly the teen years are fraught with anxiety, depression, and a multitude of other challenges, all while the world tries to figure out how devices and screentime are impacting our kids (spoiler alert: it’s not good). I have been a teen, I have raised teens, and I have worked extensively with teens, and I absolutely cannot imagine a more precious group of people who sometimes need support.
Teens in therapy can learn coping skills, have a safe and confidential space to vent, find their voice, improve their self-image, improve communication and relationships, and learn self-advocacy. And when things get scary (like behavior such as self-deprivation, cutting, or other forms of self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or suicidal attempts), therapy is a vital part of an overall approach to improved mental wellness.
No problems are too big or too small to bring to therapy. Having really dark thoughts? Bring it to therapy. Your boyfriend didn’t like your shoes? Bring it to therapy. Give it a try and see if it’s helpful for you.
You’re ready to feel like life isn’t such a struggle.
why i have a passion for working with teens
If anyone deserves a hardworking therapist, it’s teenagers.
Adolescence is a uniquely challenging phase of life. It’s a time of not exactly knowing who you are, desperately either wanting to be noticed or wanting to be invisible, sometimes needing the comfort of parents and sometimes pushing them away, and ultimately getting ready for adulthood. Because of the complexity, many therapists shy away from working with teenagers. But for me? Bottom line? I LOVE TEENS. I love to hear their stories, love to watch their growth, and I genuinely care about creating a safe and non-judgmental space where they feel heard, valued, and respected. I will work exceptionally hard with you to figure out what would bring you relief and how we can work together toward that goal.
Teens: In my office, you will be seen. You will be valued. And we will work together to help you to feel better.
I also deeply empathize with and understand the challenges faced by parents of struggling teens, because I've been in your shoes. Making the decision to seek therapy for your teenager can be daunting. I know firsthand the frustration of reaching out for help, only to encounter unresponsive or disengaged professionals. I understand the immense impact that finding the right therapist can have on your son or daughter—it can truly change the game. My own experience with my teenager motivated me to pursue this career—I wanted to be the game-changer for other families. While my work is deeply personal to me and I genuinely care about all of my teen clients, I maintain a level of emotional space that allows me to be both a cheerleader and a challenger. This balance enables me to connect with teenagers in ways that parents may find difficult.
I’ve found the key to working with teens is to develop a deep and strong rapport. Setting teens at ease is one of my superpowers, and while I’m approachable and relatable, I also bring the perspective and wisdom that comes with being middle-aged. I’m fun but direct, a combination that seems to work well with the teen crowd. Overall, I am passionate about helping teens navigate the complexities of adolescence and develop the resilience and skills they need to lead healthy and fulfilling lives, and also just make it through high school for starters. My commitment to the well-being of my teen clients, combined with my expertise and compassionate approach, makes me well-suited to the work. And there’s nothing more rewarding to me than to watch a teenager grow and change before my eyes. Let’s connect and see if I’m the right therapist for you.
Therapy for teens can be helpful in addressing many of the issues adolescence brings…
Anxiety in Teens
Worrying
Easily stressed
Easily irritated
Overthinking
Poor focus
Agitated
Procrastinating
Crying
Intense emotions
Avoiding certain situations
Depression in Teens
Sadness
Crying
Isolating from friends
Loss of interest in activities
Low Motivation
Poor focus/difficulty concentrating
Low Energy
Changes in appetite or sleep
Suicidal Thoughts
Self-injury
Other Challenges for Teens
Academic pressure
Relationship issues with family
Friend Group drama
Relationship breakups
Self-esteem and body image issues
Trauma and abuse
Identity exploration
Fear of Failure
Perfectionistic Tendencies
Negative Self-talk
Parents’ divorce
Loss of a loved one or pet
Transitioning to college
Frequently asked questions about TEENS IN therapy
FAQs
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If your teen is reluctant, bring them in. Let me have a shot at turning their heart! If your teen is adamant about not going to therapy, don’t force them. In that case, I would love to work with the parent(s), as stabilizing the family system by starting with the parents can have profound effects on helping a teen who is struggling. Either way? Let’s connect. Learn more.
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Let’s talk about what the concerns are. I am trained and licensed to work with a spectrum of mental health issues. I have experience working with a wide variety of diagnoses (i.e. bipolar, BPD, selective mutism, OCD, specific phobias, autism, and many more), but I’ll be very forthcoming with you if I feel like their need is best met elsewhere. For example, active and acute eating disorders are often best treated at the family level, and sometimes involving residential care. If that were your situation, I would provide a referral. But please reach out so we can chat. Learn more.
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When working with teens, I generally like to do a phone consult with mom or dad first, to get an idea of how the parents view the concern. During the first session, I’ll meet with the teen and parent(s) for about 10 minutes, partly to share some information, and partly so the parents can get a sense of me. It’s important for parents to feel comfortable with their child’s therapist—I get you are trusting me with your child’s psychological safety, and I don’t take that lightly. Learn more.