For Kids and Teens

You’re going through a lot right now.  There’s a lot of good stuff in your life, but there’s also a lot of hard stuff and new stuff.  It’s getting more and more difficult to enjoy the good stuff without the hard stuff getting in the way.  Maybe you usually have a lot of fun joking with your friends, but you’re noticing now that it’s harder to crack a smile.  Especially it feels hard to connect with your friends and you miss out on a lot not being able to talk to them face to face. Perhaps you’re preoccupied with school stress or a fight you had with your mom.  Maybe you don’t even know why, but you know something’s not right.  It feels like there’s this weight on you wherever you go. You miss having fun and being excited about what comes next.

A lot of people have gone through the same thing that you are.  And a lot of them have learned how to manage these feelings so they don’t get in the way anymore.  You can do it too.  If you’re struggling with worry, stress, self-doubt, sadness, numbness, or anything else that makes you feel not right, I can help you work through it and figure out how to feel like yourself again.

What is therapy like?

You may be wondering what therapy is even like. You’ve heard about it, seen it in shows and movies, and in memes and videos online. Maybe you know someone who sees a therapist. But it’s still hard to know what to expect. Therapy can look a lot of different ways and is generally different for everyone. Some people come in with things they want help with and we work together to find solutions. Some people love having an hour that is totally theirs. They use it to vent, and talk about things they feel uncomfortable sharing with friends and family. A lot of people like a blend of the two things, and we do whatever feels most helpful that day. Some people find that expressing themselves through art is helpful, so we might draw or paint or collage. Some people prefer to talk while doodling or coloring or playing a game. These are all things we can do in therapy - you’re in charge, you get to decide what will help you.

Your parents can be as involved as you want them to be. They can be there for the first few sessions while you get comfortable. Or if you'd prefer you can have the time all to yourself. Also, some kids worry that I'll tell their parents everything they say after the session is done. That definitely is not how therapy works. Your privacy is important to me, and generally I will keep what you say between us. The only exception is if I am worried about your safety (or another person's safety).

I work with teens and kids on a lot of different things including:

• anxiety

• anger

• stress

• self-esteem

• expressing emotions

• perfectionism

• loneliness

• social anxiety

• depression

• overwhelm

• school stress

• friendships

• and a lot more. 

If you think I’d be a good person to help you through your challenges, have your parent check out the For Parents page or contact me.