Therapy for Teens and Young Adults

Teens and Young adults have many ways to communicate emotional distress.  Such problems often interfere with a young person's sense of well-being and capacity for development.  If these problems do not resolve with time and support from parents, teachers or friends, then seeking professional assistance can be effective.

Mental health challenges are common during these years. Learning to cope with issues like anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and identity can improve your well-being and overall quality of life.

I provide a safe space where you can feel secure in sharing your life experiences. These years are a critical time for developing your identity. By learning coping mechanisms and life skills, you are able to better recognize your strengths while building resilience.

PERSONAL ASSESSMENT

Therapy might be helpful if you answer “yes” to any of these questions:

  • Do you have emotions that are easily aroused, intense and/or out of proportion to events and circumstances?

  • Are you reckless or do dangerous things like binge drinking, using drugs, having unsafe sex, run away from home?

  • Do you make impulsive decisions without considering potential negative outcomes?

  • Do you self-injure or think about suicide?

  • Are you experiencing chronic feelings of emptiness, or feeling worthless or useless?

  • Do you have difficulty maintaining enduring intimate relationships?

  • Do you think of parents and friends as either all bad or good?

  • Are you frequently worried about past unpleasant experiences or future negative possibilities?

  • Do have frequent feelings of depression and hopelessness?

  • Do you have anger outbursts over minor slights and insults?

If any of these questions sound like you, psychotherapy can help by:

  • Giving you tools to think and act differently

  • Learning to notice your thoughts and emotions

  • Letting go of unhelpful thinking

  • Tools to handle difficult situations effectively

  • Uncovering hidden patterns, conflicts and motivations that may be influencing thoughts and behaviors

  • Building essential life skills to help you navigate life

  • Exploring early life influences and defense mechanisms

  • Illuminating the connections between your past and present experiences that shape current behaviors and how you interact with the world

The ability to understand why overwhelming thoughts and feelings can lead to impulsive self-destructive actions is the first step in creating change, often without medication.

I provide a confidential space where you can feel secure while sharing your life experiences with me. There are many ways to manage intense emotions and behaviors and, together, we’ll find the coping skills and strategies that best work for you.