Experience alignment.

Teen Counseling

Stressed teen at a computer

I help stressed and overwhelmed teens learn skills to reduce anxiety, increase self-compassion, and successfully navigate this challenging life transition.

You’re not sure exactly what’s wrong, but you know you don’t feel happy. You’re getting decent grades and you do pretty well with your extracurriculars. Maybe you’re on a sports team, but instead of loving every minute, you’re terrified of messing up in front of everyone. Maybe you are more drawn to creative endeavors, like the arts or music, but you never think what you create is any good. When you try to talk to people about this, they don’t understand why you’re so worried all the time. They reassure you that you’re doing well, but you don’t feel that. You’re pretty sure you’re one step away from dropping one of those many balls you're juggling or screwing up in a way from which you’ll never recover. Your inner critical voice is loud and impossible to ignore. So, why don’t we work together to stop ignoring it? Weird right? But with my help, you can figure out what that voice is really saying and help it calm down so it doesn’t shout at you 24/7. In counseling you can have a safe space to just talk without worrying about upsetting anyone (parents anyone!) or being judged.

Counseling with me will help you:

  • Be kinder to yourself; mistakes are inevitable and you don’t have to be so hard on yourself!

  • Practice mindfulness so that you can feel less anxious

  • Understand your relationships

  • Learn how your brain works, so you can stop fighting with it

Parents, it’s hard to entrust another person, about whom you know very little, with the job of helping your teen. However, sometimes it’s really hard for young people to talk to their parents about some of the challenges of adolescence. It’s a time of growing independence, so this is normal. I can help you and your adolescent navigate the challenging times successfully and provide a safe space for them to get additional support. We will find ways to all work together to support your teen, while holding the utmost respect for their confidentiality. With my creative and collaborative approach, it can be done! You will survive (and thrive in) adolescence.

Photo Credits: Christian Erfurt (teen in blue hoodie), Joice Kelly (teen sitting on the floor), & jeshoots.com (teen at computer) on Unsplash

Our sessions will be:

  • Collaborative

    We will work together. You’re the expert on you. I’m the facilitator of change.

  • Encouraging

    Whether you know it or not, you have strengths. We will build on those.

  • Real

    I’ll be honest with you. I’ll show up and engage in the process as the real me.

  • Even fun

    This may surprise you, but counseling can (and should) be fun. Yes, it’s work. Yes, it can be hard. But humor and fun are healing.