Therapy for Teens (Ages 12-17)
Helping teens navigate anxiety, perfectionism, school stress, and big life transitions with clarity, confidence, and support.
Your teen deserves a calm and comfortable place to sort through their thoughts, manage stress, and feel supported as they navigate everything life is throwing at them.
Let’s be real... being a teen is a lot.
Between school pressure, social dynamics, extracurriculars, family expectations, and figuring out who they are, teens today are carrying more than most people realize. Even the most capable, high-achieving teens can feel overwhelmed, anxious, shut down, or stuck in patterns of overthinking and perfectionism.
For many teens, emotions feel big and confusing. They may pull away, get irritable, overwork themselves, avoid things that feel hard, or feel pressure to be “on top of everything” all the time. It’s a lot to sort through on their own.
Therapy gives teens a steady, supportive space to talk honestly, understand what they’re feeling, and learn tools to manage stress, build confidence, and navigate life transitions with more clarity and trust in themselves.
I support anxious, sensitive, and high-achieving kids by helping them build confidence, manage worries, regulate big feelings, and improve executive functioning. My approach is playful, practical, and developmentally appropriate, giving your child tools they can actually use at home, at school, and in daily life.
Here’s how we can work together:
Anxiety Therapy for Kids
When anxiety gets big, children often don’t have the words to explain what’s going on, so it shows up as worry, perfectionism, overthinking or avoidance. Therapy gives your child the space to make sense of their feelings and learn strategies that help them feel calmer and more confident.
Support for children who struggle with:
Excessive worry or “what if” thoughts
Perfectionism and fear of making mistakes
School anxiety or avoidance
Separation anxiety
Overthinking
Physical symptoms (stomachaches, headaches)
Avoiding new or challenging situations
Emotional Regulation & Big Feelings
Kids feel deeply, and sometimes those feelings come out fast or without warning. When emotions get too big, kids might meltdown, shut down or go from calm to overwhelmed in seconds. Therapy helps children understand what’s happening inside their brains and bodies and provides them the tools to feel more in control.
Support for children who struggle with:
Meltdowns or shutdowns
Getting overwhelmed easily
Difficulty calming down
Sensory overload
Trouble expressing feelings
Going from “0 to 100” quickly
Confidence & Social Skills
Kids want to feel capable, connected, and understood, but anxiety, shyness, perfectionism, or social stress can make them doubt themselves. I help kids build confidence from the inside out by strengthening their coping skills, communication, and sense of self.
Support for children who struggle with:
Low confidence or self-esteem
Social anxiety or shyness
Feeling left out or misunderstood
Friendship challenges
Peer conflict
Speaking up for themselves
Trying new or challenging things
Parent Collaboration:
Kids grow fastest when the adults in their lives feel supported too. I work closely with parents throughout the therapy process so the skills your child learns in session actually make sense at home and at school.
This often includes:
Brief check-ins or scheduled collateral sessions
Sharing tools your child is learning
Guidance for responding to anxiety and big feelings
Support with routines, transitions, and school stress
Helping you feel confident and prepared
What Kids Learn:
The goal of therapy is to help your child feel calmer, more confident, and more capable in their daily life. Through our work together, your child will learn how to:
Manage worry and “what if” thoughts
Understand and name their feelings
Use calming tools independently
Build confidence and bravery
Navigate frustration more smoothly
Think more flexibly
Handle transitions and routines
Express needs more clearly
These are lifelong skills that help kids feel grounded, resilient, and more connected to themselves and others.
What to Expect in the First Session:
The first session is relaxed, supportive, and child-friendly. I am to build connection with your child, so that therapy can feel like a safe place from the first session. The first session usually includes:
A brief parent conversation with child present
Gentle rapport-building with your child
Play, connection, and observation
Understanding your child’s strengths and needs
A clear plan for what therapy will focus on
My priority is helping your child feel comfortable and giving you clarity and confidence moving forward.
Commonly Asked Questions
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Therapy gives children a safe, supportive place to make sense of their feelings, their experiences, and their world. Kids learn how to understand big emotions, manage worries, build confidence, and practice coping skills that help them feel more in control. Your child does not need a diagnosis to benefit from therapy. Many children simply need extra support, especially those navigating anxiety, ADHD, Autism, or big feelings that feel hard to manage on their own.
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Depending on your child’s age, you can explain therapy as a safe place to play, talk, and learn about feelings. You might say, “We’re going to meet someone who helps kids with worries, big feelings or tough moments. She’s really kind, and we’ll figure things out together.”
For the first session, I usually invite parents to sit in for the first 5–10 minutes, so your child feels comfortable and supported. Many kids are happy to spend time with me on their own after that, but we always follow your child’s pace and comfort level.
If you have questions about how to prepare your child, feel free to reach out — I’m here to help.
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Yes. Parent involvement is an important part of the process. We’ll have regular check-ins, and I’ll share tools and strategies so you feel confident supporting your child between sessions. As I get to know you and your child, we’ll decide on a cadence that feels supportive and sustainable. You’ll always know what we’re focusing on in a way that protects your child’s comfort and confidentiality.
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Yes — and for many children, it works extremely well. Kids often feel more comfortable opening up from home, and virtual sessions can be playful, creative, and engaging. We use art, games, movement, visuals, and interactive tools designed specifically for therapy online.
My role is always to make sure your child gets the support that fits them best. After our first session (or at any point), if I feel your child would benefit more from in-person therapy, I will gladly provide referrals. Your child’s care comes first.
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Every child is different, and therapy is always tailored to their pace, needs, and goals. Some kids benefit from short-term support to learn specific skills, while others need longer-term care. Many families notice meaningful shifts within a few months, while others choose to continue therapy as their child grows and new challenges come up. We’ll talk openly about progress along the way and make decisions together about what feels most supportive.
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It’s completely okay if your child feels unsure at first. Many kids warm up slowly. I use play, art, storytelling, and gentle rapport-building to help kids feel comfortable and safe. There’s never pressure to talk before they’re ready. We always go at your child’s pace.
If talking doesn’t feel right for them, we can use other ways to connect and build skills. And if at any point it seems like a different approach would support your child better, we’ll figure that out together.
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I am an out-of-network provider, which means I do not bill insurance directly. Many families are able to use out-of-network benefits for partial reimbursement. I’m happy to provide a monthly invoice (a “superbill”) to submit to your insurance plan. HSA and FSA funds can also be used for sessions.
My current rate for individual child therapy is $185 per session. I’m always happy to talk through insurance questions and help you understand how reimbursement works.
For therapy clients out-of-network, please make note of the No Surprises Act. Should we begin working together, I will provide you with detailed information, as well as, a Good Faith Estimate prior to intake.