Therapy for Adolescents

The teenage years often feel confusing and tumultuous. As a parent, you may feel unsure about how to best support your growing child. You want to be loving in a way that balances their need for autonomy with their need for safety and structure.

Unfortunately, teenagers are particularly susceptible to many mental health issues, including trauma, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety disorders, self-harm, eating disorders, and more. As a therapist who specializes in working with adolescents and teenagers, I am here to help you and your family.

Therapy for Teenage Mental Health Symptoms

Your teenager may be experiencing several emotional challenges at once. Some parents have a good read on the situation, but others feel disconnected or unsure about what’s going on. It's important to work with a mental health professional who understands teenage development and is skilled in building connections with this population.

My therapy for teens typically addresses the following presenting concerns:

trauma
depression
family and relationship problems
grief and loss
life stress/transitions
anxiety
low self-esteem

Teenage Trauma

Trauma affects people of all ages, but trauma itself is not always as obvious as people might think it is. The following situations may constitute trauma for children and teens:

current or past experiences of being bullied
sexual abuse
physical abuse
emotional abuse or neglect
death of a loved one
medical trauma (i.e. being in and out of the hospital or having a chronic illness)
witnessing someone else experience a traumatic experience

Keep in mind that some teenagers are outspoken about how trauma has impacted them, whereas some kids don't display any outward signs. Others might experience changes in mood or avoid usual activities or relationships to cope with what happened to them. It's also common for teenagers to be very high-functioning and even perfectionistic as a way to maintain a sense of control.

As a trauma specialist, I deeply understand the mental health problems that often coincide with trauma. In my practice, I help teenagers build deeper self-awareness, manage persistent feelings of dread or anxiety, improve healthy coping, and strengthen their overall emotional regulation.

Teenage Depression

Depression in teenagers can look like chronic sadness, irritability, withdrawal from friends or family, and sudden changes in grades or athletic performance. In some cases, depression can coincide with self-harm and suicidal thoughts. These symptoms may appear gradually, but they can also seemingly occur without much warning.

Depression can naturally feel scary to loved ones. Our therapy sessions will focus specifically on understanding depression triggers and learning to change negative thoughts into more realistic or positive ones. We'll also focus on building self-esteem and practicing healthier communication skills.

Family and Relationship Problems

It's not uncommon for teenagers to feel like people don't understand them. However, if you feel like you two are never on the same page, it may be beneficial to consider seeking professional support.

Teenagers are susceptible to all sorts of influences, including peer pressure from friends and online trends. Oftentimes, adolescents sometimes lack the interpersonal skills needed to establish their own boundaries and look after their mental well-being.

Our therapy sessions will focus on helping your child feel supported and heard. I strive to teach skills that can help teenagers feel more collaborative in their relationships with their friends and families.

My Goals For Your Teenager

Therapy can be a vulnerable process, and some teenagers are more motivated to open up to their clinician than others. With that, my first priority is establishing a safe space where your child and I can build meaningful therapeutic relationship with one another. It's especially important that your teenager feels they can be honest with me, particularly if they're struggling.

The structure of our therapy sessions will vary based on your child's individual goals and presenting concerns. That said, we'll spend a good amount of time focused on identifying healthy skills that can be implemented into daily life.

Keep in mind that the parent is the best ally a child can have- your teen's outcomes are significantly better when you're supportive of what they're learning and doing within their therapeutic process. Consent is an integral part of treatment, and before starting therapy, we'll collaboratively discuss which types of information will be shared with you and how we’ll honor your child’s privacy.

I offer in-person teen therapy for adolescents and teenagers in the Charleston or Summerville area. I also provide virtual therapy services throughout South Carolina.

If you're concerned about your child's emotional well-being and would like to discuss your treatment options, I'd love to connect. Contact me today to learn more about my practice or to schedule an initial consultation.

Contact Me