Anxiety and stress that won't switch off. A low, heavy mood. Big feelings that come out as anger or shutting down. Friendship and social struggles. Family changes like divorce, moves, or loss. Perfectionism and school pressure. Self-esteem and figuring out who they are. Sometimes it's one clear thing, and sometimes it's just a sense that your teen isn't quite themselves lately. Both are worth bringing in.

That's incredibly common, and it's okay. A lot of teens walk in with their arms crossed, sure this is going to be one more adult telling them what's wrong with them. My job in the early sessions is simply to prove I'm not that. I move at their pace, I don't force talking, and I let trust build on their timeline.

What I do ask is that your teen knows they're coming to therapy before the first session. I don't see teens who've been brought in without being told, because it starts us off on a broken foundation, and trust is the one thing this whole process runs on. A simple, honest heads-up from you, even if your teen isn't thrilled about it, is the best possible start. You don't need them excited. You just need them in the loop, and then in the room.

This is one of the most important things to get clear up front, so I go over it with both of you at the very start. Teens need a certain amount of privacy to open up and actually use therapy, so I won't report back the details of every session. At the same time, you're their parent, and you'll stay appropriately informed, especially around anything involving safety. I'll always loop you in if there's a concern about your teen's wellbeing. My goal is a setup that earns your teen's trust and keeps you in the loop where it counts.

Teens aren't just small adults, and therapy with them looks a little different. We might talk less formally, use humor, or come at things sideways rather than head-on. I meet them in their world instead of expecting them to show up and neatly explain their feelings on command. And I partner with you as the parent, because you're a huge part of what helps your teen get better.

You don't have to wait for a crisis, and you don't need a diagnosis to reach out. If your gut says something's off, that's reason enough for a conversation. A free consult is a low-pressure way to talk it through and figure out whether this is the right step, with no obligation either way.