Depression may show up as sadness, but teens may also become irritable, withdrawn, unmotivated, exhausted, or less interested in things they once enjoyed. Counseling provides a space to understand these changes, strengthen coping skills, and reconnect with themselves and others.

ADHD can affect organization, time management, motivation, attention, impulse control, and emotional regulation, especially as teens are expected to manage more independently. Counseling can help teens understand how their brain works and develop practical strategies that fit their needs.

Autistic teens may experience challenges related to anxiety, sensory needs, emotional regulation, relationships, transitions, or increasing social expectations. Counseling offers individualized, strengths-based support while providing space for teens to better understand themselves and their needs.

OCD may involve unwanted or intrusive thoughts along with checking, reassurance-seeking, repeating, mental rituals, avoidance, or needing things to feel “just right.” Counseling can help teens better understand these patterns and develop healthier ways of responding to distressing thoughts and urges.

Trauma, abuse, neglect, frightening experiences, or ongoing stress can affect a teen's emotions, relationships, behavior, and sense of safety. Trauma-informed counseling provides a supportive space to process experiences at the teen's pace while building regulation, coping, and a greater sense of safety.

Teens may experience grief after the death of a loved one or pet, the end of an important relationship, family changes, or other meaningful losses. Counseling gives teens space to process grief in their own way while staying supported and connected.

Intense emotions may show up as anger, impulsivity, shutting down, frequent conflict, or feeling quickly overwhelmed. Counseling can help teens identify what is happening beneath those reactions and develop healthier ways to regulate and communicate emotions.

Comparison, changing bodies, social media, relationships, and pressure to fit in can influence how teens see themselves. Counseling can help teens challenge negative self-perceptions and develop greater confidence, self-compassion, and a healthier sense of self.

Pressure to succeed academically, athletically, socially, or personally can leave teens afraid of failure or feeling that they are never doing enough. Counseling can help teens manage expectations, cope with pressure, and build a sense of worth that isn't dependent on performance.

Fear of judgment, rejection, conflict, or not fitting in can make friendships and social situations especially stressful. Counseling can help teens build confidence, communication skills, healthy boundaries, and more comfortable ways of connecting with others.

Moving, changing schools, divorce, blended families, relationship changes, graduation, or other transitions can be difficult during an already changing stage of life. Counseling can help teens process what is changing while developing healthy ways to adjust and move forward.

Managing chronic illness, medical treatment, hospitalization, or ongoing health needs can affect a teen's independence, identity, relationships, and sense of normalcy. Counseling offers space to process these experiences and cope with the emotional impact of living with medical challenges.

School, extracurriculars, athletics, friendships, family expectations, social media, and planning for the future can leave teens feeling constantly overwhelmed. Counseling can help teens recognize stress patterns, develop healthier boundaries, and find more sustainable ways to manage everything they are carrying.

Thinking about life after high school can bring excitement, uncertainty, and pressure. Counseling can help teens process emotions around growing independence and upcoming changes while exploring their strengths, interests, values, educational options, and potential career paths. When appropriate, we can also incorporate career-focused tools and assessments to provide additional direction and support with future planning.

DBT teaches practical skills for managing intense emotions, tolerating distress, improving relationships, communicating effectively, and responding more intentionally during difficult moments.

TF-CBT is an evidence-based approach for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. It helps teens process traumatic experiences while developing coping skills, emotional regulation, and a greater sense of safety.

Brainspotting can help teens access and process emotions, stress, and experiences that may be difficult to fully express through words alone. It may be incorporated when working with trauma, anxiety, emotional overwhelm, or other distressing experiences.

IFS work helps teens approach different thoughts, emotions, and parts of themselves with greater curiosity and compassion. It can support self-awareness, emotional understanding, and a more connected sense of self.

ACT helps teens learn to make space for difficult thoughts and emotions rather than constantly fighting against them. Teens can explore their values and learn to make choices that move them toward the person they want to become.

Emotions and stress are often experienced in the body as well as the mind. Somatic approaches help teens become more aware of physical signs of stress or overwhelm and develop grounding and regulation skills.

Attachment-based approaches consider how relationships, connection, and experiences of safety influence emotional well-being. Therapy can help teens strengthen trust, understand relationship patterns, and develop healthier ways of connecting with others.

Sand tray provides another way for teens to explore experiences, relationships, emotions, and internal conflicts without relying entirely on words. It can be especially helpful when something feels difficult to explain or talk about directly.

Art and other creative or experiential activities may be incorporated into counseling to help teens explore emotions, experiences, identity, and relationships in ways that feel more natural than conversation alone.

Therapy also focuses on the individual teen, not simply the challenges bringing them to counseling. Our therapists work to build genuine relationships, recognize each teen's strengths, and create a nonjudgmental environment where they can develop greater confidence and self-understanding.

We work hard to create a safe and trusting space where teens feel comfortable being honest. Parents remain an important part of the process, but we also respect the privacy teens need to build a strong therapeutic relationship. Your therapist will discuss confidentiality, its limits, and how parent communication will be handled at the beginning of counseling.

Parent involvement varies depending on your teen's age, needs, goals, and circumstances. This may include parent check-ins, recommendations, parent sessions, or family sessions when helpful. Therapists work to involve caregivers in ways that support the teen while also protecting the trust and privacy of the therapeutic relationship.

This is common. Teens may feel unsure, uncomfortable, or frustrated about starting counseling, especially if it wasn't their idea. We don't force teens to talk or participate before they're ready. Our therapists focus first on building trust, respecting boundaries, and allowing the relationship to develop at the teen's pace.

If parents are divorced, separated, or share custody, we may need to review current custody or legal documentation before counseling begins to determine who has authority to consent to treatment. Depending on the custody arrangement and applicable requirements, signatures or consent from both parents may be needed. Our team will help you understand what documentation and consent are required before your teen's first appointment.

No. Teens come to counseling for many reasons, including stress, friendships, family changes, school pressure, self-esteem, identity, relationships, future planning, or simply wanting someone outside of their everyday life to talk to. A formal diagnosis is not required to benefit from counseling.

That's completely okay. Teens don't need to arrive knowing what to say or what they want to work on. Their therapist will take time to get to know them and may use conversation, activities, creative or experiential approaches, or other methods to help them feel comfortable and begin exploring what's important to them.

There is no set timeline. Some teens benefit from support during a specific challenge or transition, while others find it helpful to have a consistent therapeutic space as they grow and encounter new stages of life. Your therapist will continue to consider progress, goals, and your teen's perspective when making recommendations about counseling.

The relationship between a teen and their therapist is an important part of counseling. You can explore our therapists' specialties and approaches, or contact our team and tell us a little about what your teen is experiencing. We're happy to help suggest a therapist who may be a good fit.

We do offer virtual appointments. Appropriateness of virtual counseling may depend on the therapist, your teen's age, needs, and circumstances. Our team can help you determine whether in-person or virtual counseling may be the better fit for your teen.

Most teen counseling sessions are approximately 50 minutes. Session length may vary depending on the therapist, the teen's needs, or whether a parent or family session is scheduled.

No. Our therapists do not prescribe medication. If medication may be helpful, your therapist can discuss this with you and may recommend working with a physician, psychiatrist, or other qualified medical provider alongside counseling.

We ask that a parent or caregiver of clients age 14 and under remain on the premises during counseling sessions. For older teens who are able to attend independently, a parent or caregiver may not need to remain at the office. Your therapist will discuss any specific needs or expectations with you before or during the counseling process.