Teen Issues

I love working with teenagers of all ages. I feel a kinship and have a special affinity for working with middle school aged- teens and the particular issues that come with this difficult phase of life. I also have a lot of familiarity with the public school system and can assist in helping to advocate for your child to get their educational and social-emotional needs met.

I work with adolescents striving to develop their own independence and sense of identity. Navigating your peer and family relationships, managing your own thoughts, beliefs, and feelings, and cultivating your own sense of self while looking ahead to the future can be extremely complex tasks. I am here to help you begin to understand who you are, what you want in life, and to help navigate relationships with people who matter to you.

The teen years are notoriously tough! There are big changes in friendships, development, parent-child roles, and identity. With over 10 years of experience working with adolescents in various roles/settings, I love serving this population. I have provided trauma therapy to incarcerated youth and worked in school and community clinic settings. Specialized experience in: teen anxiety, self-esteem, identity, family/divorce issues, childhood abuse (including sexual abuse/assault), racial injustice.

In my counseling practice, I support teens, college students and young adults who are struggling with the stressors and anxieties of the pandemic, school, friends, families, life, and self. Many teens and young adults may also be experiencing other emotional or behavioral responses to the challenges they are enduring, as well as past traumas. Add in a pandemic and todays youth’s lives have been flipped upside down. Together we work collaboratively as we navigate through the up's and downs.

I have worked with adolescents for the past 3 years, working on issues such as school and peer struggles, anxiety, depression, trauma, self esteem, and family conflicts.

In addition to experience working as a high school counselor, I have been seeing teens in my practice for 20 years. I have parented two teens (very different from one another) and my personal experience has given me a depth of understanding, compassion and humility that my clients find comforting and real.

From the moment I got into this field I knew I wanted to work with adolescents as they bring a unique energy and perspective to the therapeutic process which I enjoy tremendously. Adolescents also have distinctive issues they need help with and after 26 years of working with this population, I feel I have a special skillset to help them work through those while feeling supported and encouraged.

Teens need just the right fit when it comes to working with a therapist. They need someone who can make them feel comfortable enough to open up while also challenging them at a level that helps them to grow. We have therapists who work with adolescents struggling with a variety of issues such as social anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, addiction, self-harm, suicide, or just difficulty navigating everyday stressors.

I have worked with 5-year-olds to seniors in high school for most of my career. I do very well with kids, and they seem to be very comfortable and open with me. We discuss therapy goals with parents/guardians and get to work. But I promise you we have fun reaching the therapeutic goals!

I have worked with the age group of 13-27 for over 15 years. This time of transformation in our lives presents specific challenges of identity development, finding meaningful connections, and figuring out purpose in this world. It is hard to find someone who sees you and understands. Inspiration strikes in these times of transitions, and I deeply enjoy being a guide and support for this age group.

I have spent many years working with teens as a teacher, camp counselor, facilitator, and now therapist. I love supporting teens in growing in their identities, finding their individual values, and becoming more independent.

In both the community-based and hospital setting, I've worked with adolescents for several years in both severe psychiatric crisis, and in more moderate stages of therapeutic work. I'm comfortable with, and enjoy, building therapeutic relationships with my adolescent clients and helping them to find ways to incorporate therapeutic tools into their lives.

Trapped in lives that we have not chosen and expected to abandon them for the uncertainty of the unknown. What could possibly go wrong?

Things maybe difficult at home or school. You may feel feel frustrated or agitated and not know why. You maybe struggling with anxiety and self esteem. Wondering what others think of you. Maybe you're not quite sure what you want to do when you leave school however feel so much pressure to get it right. I know counseling maybe scary or you may not feel like it will help. I totally get that. But if you would like to see what it could be like, please reach out.

I specialize in teen issues through focused training and practical experience working with adolescents. My expertise includes addressing common challenges such as identity formation, peer pressure, and emotional regulation. I use evidence-based approaches to help teens navigate these pivotal years, fostering resilience and positive development while providing a supportive, understanding environment.

ADHD Anger Anxiety Conflict Decision Making Depression Grief Impulsivity Motivation Parenting/Discipline Self-Esteem Stress

Most of my career has been working with youth in foster care, mentoring, and in residential placements for youth who have been adjudicated and are on probation or parole. I am experienced working with youth with behavioral struggles, figuring out their identity, dealing with substance abuse, legal problems, or emerging mental health disorders. The clients I've worked with have expected me to be someone they can relate to as well, and I am goofy, a gamer, sometimes inappropriate and patient.