Adolescent Counseling

Providing a Safe and Supportive Environment

Adolescence (usually defined as being between 10 and 19 years of age), can be an incredibly challenging time period. Most adolescents experience physical and emotional changes as they grow and develop. Some of these changes can be relatively predictable and do not cause the adolescent or their parents significant emotional distress. However, for many families adolescence is a time period characterized by numerous disruptive and potentially harmful behavioral challenges or emotional problems. For many adolescents, issues such as bullying, abuse, divorce, death of a family member, sexuality or even “ordinary” changes such as moving to a new home or school can trigger significant problems with depression, anxiety or other mental health issues.

While many parents are able to help their child manage these stressors, oftentimes it can be incredibly helpful to include a therapist in the list of people available to provide emotional support. A therapist can help provide outside perspective to many adolescents while also helping to “translate” mixed message between parents and adolescents. I will do my best to help provide an additional support for your adolescent while ensuring you remain a critical part of the adolescent’s support team. Utilizing a relaxed, approachable stance towards therapy while also focusing on essential tools such as relaxation or developing new coping skills, I will do my best to provide your adolescent and your family with a greater sense of stability and calm.