Child and Adolescent psychotherapy
Kids today face constant messages that they are “not enough”—not smart enough, not athletic enough, not attractive enough, not popular enough, not wealthy enough. Between peer pressure and social media, it’s no surprise that many young people struggle with self-doubt, worry, and low mood. Without support, these messages can shape how children and adolescents see themselves and the world, leading to self-defeating beliefs that interfere with healthy identity development.
Getting them the help they need
Many young people don’t receive the emotional support they need from traditional systems. Early intervention can make a meaningful difference—helping youth build skills to manage stress, navigate challenges, and develop resilience, confidence, and a strength-based sense of self.
For preteens and adolescents facing persistent worry, intrusive thoughts, low mood, or self-critical thinking, therapy provides a safe, supportive space to explore deeper emotional patterns, process difficult experiences, and develop practical strategies for daily life. Parents play an important role in this work, and I collaborate with families to support lasting growth and well-being. Common concerns I address include anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, attention and focus challenges, depression, and disordered eating.
Youth come to therapy with a variety of different goals, but some common topics include:
Understanding and managing big emotions
Identifying values and strengths
Increasing joy and satisfaction in life
Planning, prioritization, and procrastination
Increasing confidence and self esteem
Assertive communication skills
Perfectionism and people pleasing
Time management and accountability
Healthy relationships and boundaries
Perspective taking and empathy
Assertive communication skills
Managing interpersonal conflict and bullying
Body image
““Early childhood is a critical time for the brain, when connections are being made that become the foundation for a child’s future health, learning, and behavior. Adolescence is also a vital window of opportunity for building core life skills—and for practitioners to provide support. During this period, the brain strengthens its most-used connections, making them faster and more efficient, and “prunes” away less-used ones. As the different areas of the brain mature during adolescence, their ability to function as an interconnected system improves. Practicing core life skills during adolescence helps the brain build the most efficient pathways to support these skills throughout life.””
Collaboration is important, but so is confidentiality
I believe parents and caregivers play an important role in supporting preteens and adolescents in therapy. The way we work together depends on your child’s age and needs. I typically start with an initial meeting with parents and may continue involvement through individual meetings, joint sessions, or phone check-ins. Younger children often benefit from parent-child sessions, while adolescents may focus more on individual sessions to support independence and identity development.
Therapy is most effective when children feel their sessions are private, within legal limits. I provide general updates and share overall themes, while protecting your child’s sense of privacy. I’m happy to talk through this balance at any point, so we can work together to support your child’s growth and well-being.
How do I know if my child needs help?
Accessing the right support at the right time for your child can feel overwhelming. Parents often wonder whether their child’s struggles are within the range of typical development or whether professional help is needed. In my experience, it’s never too early to reach out—even a brief consultation call can provide clarity and guidance, while some families may choose more intensive services. Taking that first step can help prevent unnecessary stress and challenges down the road—and often saves both time and energy for your family.