Adolescents

What if…

 

someone

 
 

would

 
 
 

understand?

It is so hard being an adolescent. They are trying to figure out who they are in the world while having to navigate waves of physical, mental, social and emotional change. On top of this, there is pressure from the media, school, peers and themselves to be a certain way. They are also navigating very real relationships, sometimes for the very first time.

Due to this developmental period where there is tension between individuation and not fully knowing themselves, this can often lead to low self-esteem, isolation, depression, anxiety and high-risk behaviors. Adolescents get more pleasure from engaging in risk-taking behaviors than children and adults combined. 

It is important for them to have a place to be able to process what is coming up for them currently, as well as what they have experienced and lived through in the past. What I hear a from teens is that it just feels good to be able to talk about their life and feel like someone understands. We will take steps to change worrisome behaviors if any, and also help them live up to their fullest potential and figure out who they are and who they want to be.

I love working with teens because they are just truly so real, and it’s very rewarding to encourage them to tap into their adult-like selves in terms of problem solving and maturity, while also nurturing their child-like selves. My approach is authentic and down-to-Earth, with a focus on cultivating our relationship to establish trust. I don’t believe that adolescents are “kids”. They are their own hybrid of child and adult, and this is an important distinction in our work together. I invite adolescents to come as they are, and we can talk about whatever’s on their mind, with space to process and also tangible tools and techniques to walk away with. We can also laugh.

Areas of focus include:

  • Perfectionism

  • Peer relationships

  • Self-esteem

  • Adoption

  • Divorce

  • Reunification

  • LGBTQIA++ . I am a WPATH member, working with Trans youth. WPATH conference 2024 attendee

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Trauma

  • Academic pressure

  • Grief and Loss

  • Self-harm

  • Suicidal Ideation

You are enough.