Move forward faster—therapy intensives now available in Carlsbad, CA.
Adolescence is not a problem to be solved—it’s a passage to be supported.
— Dan Siegel, M.D.
Therapy for Teens: Real Support in a Low-Pressure Setting
Support for teens who feel overwhelmed and the parents who care deeply
Being a teen today is a lot. Between school stress, social dynamics, family stuff, and the constant noise of digital life, many teens are stretched thin. They might seem fine on the outside but feel anxious, stuck, or unsure of themselves inside.
As a parent, it’s hard to watch your teen struggle, especially when they shut down or can’t explain what’s wrong. Even when you’re doing everything you can, something still feels off. That’s where therapy can help. Not as a fix, but as a place for your teen to sort through what’s going on and feel more like themselves again.
What I Help With I work with teens (ages 12 and up) who are navigating:
- Anxiety, panic, or school-related stress
- Social anxiety, friendship shifts, or peer pressure
- Perfectionism or fear of failure
- Low self-esteem or identity confusion
- Emotional shutdown, irritability, or pulling away
- Feeling pressure to hold it together while overwhelmed inside
- Unresolved stress or trauma from past experiences
Whether your teen is dealing with something recent or something that’s been building over time, therapy can help them feel more clear, confident, and connected.
How I Work With Teens
Therapy doesn’t have to feel like another class or task.
I bring warmth, respect, and light structure, enough for them to feel supported without feeling judged or analyzed. Many teens tell me it feels easy to talk in session, which is the first step to real progress.
I use a blend of approaches depending on your teen’s needs, including:
- EMDR and Brainspotting for nervous system-based trauma and anxiety work
- Schema Therapy for shifting deep-rooted patterns and beliefs
- CBT and DBT skills for emotion regulation and real-life problem solving
Some teens want concrete tools. Others just need a consistent space to talk and think things through. Either way, I meet them where they are and adjust as we go.
A Note for Parents
In my approach, teens are in charge of their therapy. I don’t provide regular updates to parents, but I do encourage teens to invite parents into sessions occasionally. These check-ins give us a chance to talk openly about how parents can best support their teen’s growth.
If your teen is in therapy, it can also be a powerful time to seek support for yourself. Many parents find that their own therapy helps them feel more grounded and capable while navigating their child’s challenges.
