counseling for High-Achieving teens
Photo Credits: Joice Kelly; Unsplash
“Why is this so hard?”
“Am I the only one who feels like this?”
“why can’t I just stop worrying?”
stop just surviving your success.
start thriving.
What if you could maintain your high standards AND actually enjoy your achievements?
Imagine walking into that AP exam with confidence instead of panic. Falling asleep within 20 minutes instead of lying awake reviewing (and adding to) tomorrow's to-do list. Celebrating your wins instead of immediately worrying about the next challenge.
You can keep your ambition, your work ethic, and your impressive achievements – without the anxiety threatening to derail everything you've worked so hard for.
You look like you have it all together.
I know it’s hard to imagine what I am suggesting above, because that’s far from what’s happening right now. To everyone on the outside, you look like you have it all together: good grades, sports teams and clubs, college-bound, and just generally “put together.” People look up to you (but you’re pretty sure they wouldn’t, if they only knew how much effort it takes you).
Internally, it’s a different story. You’re stressed and overwhelmed a lot of the time. You are trying to do everything at 100% and make sure you meet everyone’s expectations (including your own). Your mind races through responsibilities before you even leave the house.
You tell yourself things like:
"That was just luck. Next time they'll see I'm not really that good."
"That mistake is going to cost us the game, and it's all my fault."
"I've been staring at this AP Calc problem for 20 minutes. Anyone else would have solved it by now."
No one sees the panic attack in the bathroom between classes or how you pretend everything's fine when you feel like throwing up before competitions.
This really sucks, and you’ve tried all you can think of to make it better.
why powering through isn’t working
You've tried the usual strategies:
Time management apps and productivity hacks from social media
"Just get through this" mentality
Telling yourself, "It'll get better after [insert deadline here]"
Here's the problem: You can't think your way out of anxiety.
When your nervous system is in overdrive (think the orange guy from Inside Out), it's not listening to logic. Your brain might know that one bad grade won't ruin your future, but your body is still having a panic response. You might understand rationally that you're capable and smart, but your heart still races before every test.
This is why all those productivity hacks and “just think positive” advice doesn't work. You're trying to use your thinking brain to calm down your feeling brain; but when you’re stressed, they're not even speaking the same language (think of that very first Spanish class when your teacher just started going on and on as if you knew what in the world they were saying). The truth is, those strategies just add more pressure to an already overwhelmed system, like trying to solve a math problem while someone is shouting at you
So, together we need to figure out how to get the shouting to stop and your brain calmed enough to work for you instead of against you.
what actually works: brain science + real support
I work from an attachment and brain science framework, which is a fancy way of saying we use actual neuroscience to help the different parts of your brain communicate so your nervous system can actually calm down.
Here's what this looks like in real life: Instead of telling you to 'just relax' (which never works–like has anyone in the history of time calmed down cause someone said to?????), we'll figure out what your nervous system actually needs to feel safe. Maybe that's learning to recognize the difference between real danger and your brain's false alarms. Or teaching your body that making a mistake on a test isn't actually a threat to your survival (“Dear heart palpitations, This is not a lion attack. Please resume normal operations.”), even though it feels that way.
Instead of more strategies to manage, you’ll:
Sleep better and fall asleep faster - By slowing down to understand what's actually making something feel so scary, instead of just pushing through the fear with your mind racing all night.
Walk into tests and presentations with confidence instead of panic - When your logical brain knows you're smart and capable, AND your anxious brain believes it too, instead of them fighting each other. Finally, the anxious orange character in your brain will settle their antics!
Actually enjoy your achievements and feel proud of your work - By replacing that harsh inner critic with a voice that actually motivates you, instead of immediately jumping to the next worry.
Stop feeling like it’s your fault when other people’s advice doesn’t work for you - Because what calms your nervous system might be completely different from your friend's or that TikTok influencer, and that's totally normal.
When your brain and nervous system work together – when your body actually believes what your mind knows – anxiety lessens naturally. You stop fighting against yourself and start working with yourself.
our sessions will be
01
Collaborative: We work together (not like those group projects where you do all the work)
02
Encouraging: You have strengths, even if you can't see them right now.
03
Real: I'll tell you the truth – and not just because I'm a very bad liar!
04
05
Effective: I'm a PhD-level counselor with specialized training in anxiety, teen development, and high-achiever psychology.
Fun: I can pretty much guarantee there will be some laughs (on terrible days, you can demand more humor if needed).
Hello Parent(s)!
Subtext: Supporting your high achiever
I want you to know that I see you, too. I understand your concerns as a parent trying to balance supporting your teen's achievements and their mental and emotional health.
You see the toll this is taking…
the dark circles, the irritability, the perfectionism that keeps them rewriting papers until 2 am.
You want your teen to have sustainable success: staying passionate about their interests without burning out. You picture them handling that B+ in Chemistry as feedback, not failure.
You want both mental health AND achievement.
And it’s not like you haven’t tried to help, but it’s just not getting better.
The Parent Dilemma
You've tried saying all the right things:
"Your worth isn't just about grades."
"It's okay to make mistakes."
"You don't have to be perfect."
But coming from you, these reassurances sometimes feel like more pressure, even though that’s the last thing you want. You need professional support that complements your parenting without undermining your teen's growing independence.
I’m here to help.
how i support your family
For your teen:
Fall asleep faster and wake up rested through nervous system regulation and emotional processing, so you're not lying awake replaying the day or dreading tomorrow
Walk into high-pressure situations with genuine confidence by transforming your relationship with achievement and processing the underlying fears driving your perfectionism, so you perform from excitement rather than fear and anxiety
Bounce back from setbacks without spiraling – Learn to feel and move through difficult emotions (disappointment, fear, overwhelm) so a bad grade doesn't ruin your entire week
Feel genuinely proud of your accomplishments – Celebrate your wins instead of immediately worrying about the next challenge, creating lasting confidence that doesn't depend on perfect performance
For you:
Have real conversations with your teen about stress – By understanding your teen's emotional world beneath their anxiety and achievement pressure, so they actually open up instead of shutting down
Support without creating more pressure – Learn how to be supportive in ways that help your teen feel understood while still developing their own problem-solving skills
Reduce family tension around expectations – Recognize how family dynamics around achievement might be contributing to anxiety, and create more emotional safety that supports both high performance and mental health
Know when professional help is needed – Clear guidance on recognizing serious mental health concerns versus normal teenage stress, so you can respond appropriately
Important note about confidentiality.
I maintain strict confidentiality with your teen's sessions. I will only share information if there is imminent risk of harm.
your teen won’t just survive adolescence — they’ll thrive
Imagine:
Family discussions about the future that don't end in tears or eye rolls
A teen who asks for help when needed instead of suffering in silence
Someone who celebrates their achievements instead of immediately worrying about the next hurdle
Imagine less stress, more smiles (I mean, count carefully—we're still dealing with hormones here!).
That’s exactly what I will help with.
i’m Emily.
Welcome!
As a therapist with a PhD in counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and experience in various counseling settings (from general mental health to play therapy to teaching), I bring both clinical expertise and teaching experience to online therapy, supervision, and consultation. My expertise includes supporting parents and caregivers, adult therapy, and teen therapy, with a focus on reducing anxiety and improving relationships. I am a Level II AEDP therapist and have training in interpersonal neurobiology, advanced training and certification in play therapy, and certification in providing services online.
If you’d like to learn more about me than can fit in a short blurb, please explore the link below.
about therapy
Investment: Individual therapy sessions are $225 per 45/50-minute session.
My Approach: I work from an attachment and neuroscience framework, which means we focus on deeper, lasting change rather than quick fixes. However, most parents notice fairly quick changes to their teen’s ability to manage stress, as well as their communication with their teen.
What makes this different:
Limited spots available for the rest of 2025: High-achieving teens are my specialty, and my caseload fills quickly during the academic school year.
How to Get Started:
Schedule your first session using the link below
Complete intake paperwork (submit 24 hours before your appointment)
First session focus: Comprehensive assessment of your professional stress patterns, relationship dynamics, and therapy goals
Ongoing work: Weekly 50-minute sessions focusing on transforming your relationship with achievement and success
Schedule Your First Session: Booking Page | Call/Text: 423.281.4098 | Email: emily@alignedcounseling.com
Stop surviving the teen years and start thriving in them. Your first session is one click away.
how to get started
Here you can find detailed instructions on how to get started working together, how we proceed, and what you can expect.
I would recommend grabbing a parent/legal guardian (I will use parent from here forward inclusively) and looking this over together. Parents, you are free to proceed through these steps on your own, but I recommend grabbing your teen!
First, important things to note:
I only work exclusively online and no in-person appointments are available.
I am not in network with any insurance plans and do not provide documentation for out-of-network reimbursement. There are many reasons for this, and I am happy to answer any questions you may have.
I offer primarily 45/50-minute sessions at a rate of $225 per session. If you’d like 60-minute sessions, please ask about my current availability.
-
For intake sessions, I am available Mondays-Thursdays from 10:00-5:00. I am available for ongoing sessions Tuesdays-Thursdays from 10:00-5:00. I do not have evening or weekend availability. With regard to ongoing session availability, I cannot guarantee the availability of specific times or days based on openings you may see in my online calendar; availability there does indicate recurring availability. One of my values is to have some schedule flexibility for current clients so that when they need to make schedule adjustments, I am more likely to be able to do so. As such, an available slot does not equal the ability to put a regularly occurring appointment in that slot. If you have specific schedule needs, please reach out to confirm that I’d be able to accommodate them prior to completing an initial session.
-
Once you have decided that you’d like to proceed with scheduling with me, you can mosey over and check out my lovely contact page. Here you can click the “Schedule your first session” button located at the center of the page. This will take you to my self-scheduling option. This allows you to look over my calendar and select a time that works for you. You can schedule up to 3 weeks in advance, as long as you are at least 3 days before the date you’d like to choose. I’d suggest checking with a parent here because, unless you can legally consent to therapy on your own, I require you and your parent(s) to be available during the first session. Please use your (teen’s) email address to register for the portal account. Don’t worry, parents…you will get your own access to the portal, too! More to come on that. It’s important to note that this first session will be a longer (90-minute) intake session. The cost is $275.
-
Scheduling in my online calendar will send a request for the specific appointment you’ve selected and reserve it for you. I typically confirm appointments within 24 hours, excluding weekends, holidays, and times I am out of the office on vacation. After I confirm your appointment, you will receive an email from Sessions Health.
-
After you receive the confirmation, keep an eye out for three more emails. (I know! I bet you already get plenty, but I promise we just have to do this stuff once!) You will get an email welcoming you to therapy and outlining what you can expect; this will come directly from me. In addition, you will get one from Sessions Health and Aligned Counseling and Supervision; this contains your invitation to the client portal; this is where you will complete all required paperwork, which I need back 24 hours prior to our scheduled time in order to keep your appointment and avoid automatic cancellation. I need you to do this even sooner, because I need your parent’s paperwork back 24 hours prior to our appointment, too, and their ability to access the portal depends on you giving me your info first. So, go ahead and register ASAP. Finally, you will get an appointment “reminder” that will contain your telehealth link.
-
Once you’ve set up portal access, you will have just three documents to review and sign. Please note that you can sign out and progress will be saved. You may want to set aside a little time to really read these over as they have a good bit of information relevant to our work together. Documents include: the informed consent, the HIPAA privacy practices, and information about my policies for electronic communication. Please let me know if you have any questions by emailing me. After signing those you will have some demographic questions and the opportunity to tell me just a bit about what brings you to therapy. Two things to note here: 1) this where you will give me your parent’s information so that I can get them registered in the portal and 2) it is most likely that your parent has to legally sign these documents, but I still want you to have access so you can have all the information you need to make decisions about therapy!
-
Oooh. Great question. And it’s really hard to choose. But I can be overheard saying some form of the following with regularity:
“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”
“These aren’t the _______ [droids] you’re looking for.”
There are probably more. If you decide to work with me, you can point them out!
-
After you’ve registered for the portal, and I have your parent’s information, I will send them an invite where the rest of the legal paperwork will need to be completed. Parents, you may want to set aside a little time to really read these over as they have a good bit of information relevant to our work together. Documents include: the informed consent, the HIPAA privacy practices, and information about my policies for electronic communication. Please let me know if you have any questions by emailing me.
-
Great question. Don’t worry!!!!! Parent/guardian portal access does not grant access to teen information. These are separate.
-
Once you and your parent have set up your portals, your parent can keep an eye out for a text from IvyPay. This is where your parent will enter credit card information for me to charge for your sessions. I use IvyPay so that I don't have to personally handle any of your credit card information. IvyPay is a third-party HIPAA-compliant payment processor that takes care of it for me. If you need different payment options (e.g., two parents splitting the cost), please reach out directly to let me know what is needed. I will do my best to accommodate.
-
With my teen clients, I usually spend some time with just the parent(s) first. The amount varies, depending on the parent(s). I find this helpful, because I can get their perspective as well as yours on what’s going on. It’s my goal to also have some time to spend with everyone, but sometimes that first session flies by. If I don’t get enough time with you, you and I can always pick up the conversation at our first regular session. Don’t worry, though, after this session, even though I communicate with parents, I only talk to them about things we agree upon or in an emergency. Most clients are nervous the first time they attend counseling, even if it's just the first time with a new person. If you’ve never been before, you may not know what to expect and may have many TV or movie references for what it’s like. Trust me, they’re probably inaccurate. You may think you’re required to tell me ALL the things or that I will ask probing questions to get to the root of everything. That’s not what happens either. We will still be getting to know each other. In our first session, I will gather information about your concerns, the history, what you’d like to get out of counseling, and any other things you think are relevant. We will get a general idea of direction, but it will take us time to get to know each other. This one is a little different from the others, as a lot of our time will be spent getting me up to speed on your life and concerns. Things shift after that…stay tuned.
-
It’s important to know that the completion of this initial session is not a guarantee of working together. If it ends up not working, I will do my best to help you find another provider to meet your needs. A few things that might result in us not working together include, but are not limited to:
You decide that we are not a good fit.
I am not the most appropriate person to help you with your specific needs.
You need a specific time slot and it is not available. (Avoid this by checking with me ahead of time!)
-
One? Yikes. Pasta, tacos, Girl Scout cookies, pancakes, biscuits? How do I choose? Hmmm. Thinks carefully and searches for a loophole. Tacos are versatile, and maybe that’s the loophole; there are breakfast tacos, dinner tacos, large tacos, complex tacos, simple tacos. But really, truly, it’s pasta I could never give up!
-
Once you are ready to move forward, we will get your regular appointments set up. You will be scheduled for the same recurring time slot. These are either weekly or bi-weekly depending on your needs and availability. As we get to know each other during sessions, we will determine how we will know if things are getting better. I imagine that you have checked out who I am throughout my website, so you probably already know the following info. However, it’s probably worth saying again that I very much value talking explicitly with my clients about their experience of therapy with me, rather than assuming I know what they are feeling or experiencing, or what's best for them. This means I'll regularly ask you about what is going well in our therapy work together and if there's anything we should do differently. I am not a highly directive therapist, so our sessions will focus on what you need to get out of them each time. I provide some prompts about what we’ve been exploring or your general goals, but invite you to settle in and consider how we can take care of you in our session that day.
-
I do check in with parents and work with them, but I am adamant about your confidentiality. That means that I won’t be sharing things with them that you tell me in sessions. With your permission though, I might give them pointers about how they can support you or, even better, help you figure out how to talk to them about that! But what’s most important to understand is that, I won’t talk to your parents about anything other than an emergency without your permission/agreement about what will be discussed.
-
When we get to a point where you’re feeling confident in what you’ve learned and are practicing, we can discuss reducing frequency (if you started weekly) or wrapping up altogether. There may be the option to reduce from bi-weekly to monthly sessions, but these are available only on a case-by-case basis, scheduled week-of, and cannot be guaranteed.
-
Please feel free to email me! I usually respond within 24 hours Mondays-Fridays.
Book your session
because, at the end of the day:
you—with your zoomy brain, heavy heart, & tired soul—deserve peace.
Contact me
Let’s get started.
I’ll answer your questions and we can decide if I’m the right therapist for you.
Complete this form and I’ll be back in touch via email or text usually within 1 business day.
Call or Text
423.281.4089
emily@alignedcounseling.com
office mailing address
404 S Roan St., Johnson City, TN, 37604