For Teens
Your generation has a lot to deal with and it may make you feel overwhelmed, shut down, anxious and depressed. The constant social media updates, feeling like you have to be available to others 24/7, feeling like you’re constantly reading about how many people are suffering in the world and also feeling a huge pressure to “save the world” from a lot of the harm caused by the powers that be… is utterly exhausting. Especially in the age of COVID. And it can seem like the adults in your life just don’t really get it.
I can help you to learn how to manage the overwhelm and take it one step at a time so you can feel like you actually have time to breathe and enjoy your life. I can help you learn how to both feel your emotions and not get swallowed whole by them. Together we will work towards understanding how your own brain works, how to use specific skills to help you feel less overwhelmed and distressed, how to advocate for yourself with parents and teachers and friends, and how to feel more confident in who you are and pursue what you are interested in.
I want to help you learn dialectical thinking (the idea that there is no one right answer or way to be in the world) and that when we move away from binaries like perfectionism vs failure, we feel a lot happier and more secure in ourselves I’m also pretty much always down to talk about your special interests. From foraging mushrooms to finding and reading the best fanfiction to taking apart machines and rebuilding them, I’m there.
A Note for Parents
Please note that I take privacy in the therapeutic relationship very seriously and it is important for the therapeutic relationship and the teen’s progress in therapy to have confidential sessions. Unless there is any threat of life-threatening behavior (harm to self or others) or other significant safety concerns, I will keep what is said between the teen and myself. I am very transparent with the teen if I feel I need to tell you something and tend to avoid having many collateral conversations outside of the individual sessions. If the parent has concerns, they can schedule a 15–30-minute phone call or session with me to discuss it, but please know that the teen will be aware of this. I prefer to meet all together whenever possible, and I am not able to do much outside case management over email or portal. If that is needed, I will charge for my time in 15-minute increments. If it is needed very often, I might refer to a family therapist or case manager, or occasionally, a higher level of care.
Usually, for younger teens, I will have an initial meeting with the teen and parent, with the parent coming in for the first 20 minutes to go over policies and agree upon what role the parent has in our therapy sessions ahead of time. Often, we will agree on check ins every 6 weeks or so to discuss what is going on at home and parse through any concerns the teen or parent might have. Note that parent coaching/therapy is separate and if I am working with your teen and you are interested in that kind of more intensive work, I will refer you to someone else to avoid dual relationships. Different families have different needs, and some teens prefer their parents to be totally hands off, while some want to do work within the family system. If, however, you are wanting the type of therapy where parents are actively hearing what is going on in every session between the teen and therapist, I am not the provider to work with.