I have specific experience in adolescent therapy and I am skilled in addressing the unique issues that arise during this life stage.
Commonly, I help adolescents adjust to changes in their families such as divorce or moving and handle academic stressors including study skills, confidence, personal goal-setting, test anxiety, and preparing for college.
I work to reduce and address anxieties such as social and performance anxiety, reduce depressive symptoms, help adolescents to build a positive identity, increase their self-esteem, handle bullying and build positive relationships, and develop a sense of self-efficacy and self-confidence.
I have specialized training in assisting adolescents and their parents increase their communication skills and improve their relationships.
I believe these relationships are integral to adolescent’s well-being.
I can help you and your teen navigate the unique issues that arise during these years including maintaining strong family relationships while increasing their own independence.
I am also experienced in providing therapy that addresses sensitive issues, including suicidal thoughts and self-injurious behaviors.
With adolescents, I use different therapy formats depending on your teen’s needs including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), relationship-focused or client-centered therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
In addition to individual therapy, I offer adolescent groups to address these issues and to provide an inviting, comfortable place for teens to come together to learn from one another and to grow even more.
Group therapy topics include social skills, dealing with peer pressures, understanding your sexuality and becoming comfortable with your sexuality, adjusting to high school, preparing for college, support groups for grief, and dealing with changes such as foster care, adoption, divorce, or relocation.
I have specific training and experience in helping families build relationships and address difficult issues through family therapy.
I understand that sometimes individual therapy is not enough, and teens and their parents and even siblings may better solve problems by working together.
I will help each family member to feel heard and to understand one another, while working towards common goals that are good for everyone.
I provide psychological evaluations to assist with diagnostic clarity, treatment recommendations, and educational recommendations. I have experience conducting many types of evaluations with adolescents including assessing their cognitive, academic, social, emotional, and behavioral functioning.
In working with all of my clients, including your adolescent, I emphasize coordinating care with all professionals that may be beneficial.
Therefore, I strive to communicate psychological evaluation results and recommendations with your teen’s primary care doctor, teachers, and any other mental health professionals that may be working with them however you feel may be most helpful.
I also strive to work together with your teen’s primary doctor, psychiatrist, or teachers as needed when providing therapy to your teen.
I believe bringing professionals together will best serve you and your adolescent, but also understand the sensitive issues of privacy that come with working with adolescents and will work together with you and your adolescent to determine the amount and style of communication that will serve your teen best.
