Therapy for Teens
I provide individual sessions with teens who feel overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, stress, social pressures, internal pressures, school demands, or big life transitions. Adolescence can be a confusing time filled with emotional intensity, identity exploration, and a desire for independence, often paired with feeling misunderstood. It is a frustrating combo for parents and teens alike. Therapy here offers teens a space (either in my Marietta office or virtually) that feels safe and collaborative, where they can explore emotions, strengthen coping skills, and build confidence in who they are becoming and accepting that this is a time of exploration and becoming, vs concrete knowing. Sessions are tailored to help teens feel heard while developing tools to manage stressors, regulate emotions, and navigate relationships more effectively.
I see teens who are struggling with…
Anxiety
Social Anxiety
ADHD/challenges related to neurodivergence
Depression
Suicidal thoughts
OCD
Peer relationships
Perfectionism
Low self-esteem
Stress
Big life transitions
Treatment goals might look like…
Emotion identification and regulation
Learn to recognize, understand, and manage intense emotions such as anxiety, stress, anger, and overwhelm in healthy, effective ways.Mind–body awareness
Build awareness of how emotions show up physically and develop tools to regulate the nervous system and respond to stress signals.Developing healthy self-care habits
Supporting teens in building realistic self-care routines that promote balance, stress management, and emotional well-being amid academic, social, and extracurricular demands.Practicing mindfulness and coping skills
Teaching practical coping strategies and mindfulness tools teens can use in real-life moments to manage anxiety, reduce overwhelm, and increase emotional regulation.Building a strong sense of self
Supporting teens as they explore identity, values, strengths, and boundaries, helping them develop confidence, self-awareness, and a clearer sense of who they are becoming.Providing a safe outlet for thoughts and feelings
Offering a non-judgmental space where teens can openly share thoughts, emotions, and experiences without pressure or feeling misunderstood.Identifying and challenging negative thinking patterns
Helping teens recognize self-critical, perfectionistic, or anxiety-driven thoughts and practice more balanced, flexible thinking that supports confidence and emotional resilience.Strengthening executive functioning skills
Supporting teens in building practical skills for organization, time management, planning, task initiation, and follow-through, while developing strategies that work with their brain—not against it—to reduce overwhelm and increase confidence.Healthy outlets to process stressors
Encouraging teens to practice creative, physical, or expressive outlets—such as art, movement, journaling, or music—to release stress and process emotions outside of therapy.Strength-based skill building
Identify and build upon personal strengths to increase self-awareness, resilience, and emotional growth.Social skills and communication
Improve communication with peers and practice relationship skills to navigate social situations more confidently.
In order to address these challenges and treatment goals in session, I utilize evidence based approaches such as:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps teens understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, especially related to anxiety, depression, or self-criticism. Using activities and conversation, we learn how to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and practice more balanced, helpful thoughts that support emotional regulation.Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT-based strategies support teens in managing intense emotions, improving distress tolerance, and strengthening communication and relationship skills. Skills such as emotion regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness are taught in practical ways teens can apply in real-life situations.Art Therapy
Art therapy offers teens a creative outlet to express emotions that may feel difficult to put into words. Through drawing, collage, journaling, creative projects, or visual processing, teens can explore feelings, reduce stress, and build emotional insight in a way that often feels natural and engaging.Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP is helpful for teens experiencing anxiety, fears, or obsessive thoughts. Through a gradual and supportive process, teens learn to face uncomfortable situations while reducing avoidance or compulsive behaviors, building confidence and increasing their ability to tolerate discomfort over time.Strength-Based Therapy
This is utilized in order to help teens identify strengths, values, and interests while exploring identity and self-concept, supporting confidence and self-trust during a critical developmental stage.Somatic and Sensory-Based Regulation Strategies
Body-based interventions help teens understand and regulate their nervous system through movement, grounding, and sensory awareness. These strategies are especially beneficial for anxiety, emotional dysregulation, stress, and teens who experience their emotions physically or struggle with shutdown or overwhelm.Client-Centered Therapy
When working with teens, it is important to me to work in a collaborative way that honors their autonomy, builds trust, and allows therapy to feel supportive rather than directive.Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT strategies can help teens notice thoughts and emotions without becoming overwhelmed or stuck in them, while encouraging values-based choices. This approach is especially helpful for anxiety, perfectionism, and avoidance, supporting teens in building flexibility and self-compassion