Therapy for Teens

Online & In-person in California

The teenage years can be tough: for them and for you.

Is your teen struggling with anxiety, depression, or challenges with friends and school?

Are they facing big changes and unsure how to cope? Have you noticed them withdrawing from family and friends, seeming distant or disengaged? Do they feel like they don’t quite belong?

If daily life feels overwhelming for your teen—or your family is navigating a difficult transition like divorce—therapy can provide the support they need to build confidence, resilience, and emotional well-being.

It may feel impossible now, but your teen can thrive.

What we’ll work on

Therapy can help your child:

  • Build Confidence & Self-Esteem – Learn to navigate challenges, embrace strengths, and develop a positive self-image.

  • Manage Anxiety & Stress – Gain coping skills to handle school pressure, social situations, and overwhelming emotions.

  • Improve Relationships – Strengthen communication, set healthy boundaries, and foster better connections with family and friends.

  • Process Emotions in a Safe Space – Express feelings without judgment and develop emotional resilience.

  • Develop Healthy Coping Strategies – Learn tools to handle life’s ups and downs in a productive, empowering way.

My approach to working with teens

I offer a safe and supportive space where children and teens can express themselves freely. In our work together, your child will find compassion, understanding, and a place where they truly feel heard. My goal is to create a therapeutic environment that fosters trust, helping them process their unique struggles while developing the tools needed for meaningful change. Through therapy, they will build confidence, improve daily functioning, and strengthen their connections with others.

With over two decades of experience working with children and teens, I bring a deep understanding of their emotional and developmental needs. My passion for supporting young people extends across various roles, including classroom support in both General and Special Education, Social Emotional Learning as a School Counselor, and School-Based Counseling through the Therapeutic Clinical Counseling department at the William S. Hart Union High School District. These experiences have given me a unique perspective, allowing me to meet children and teens where they are and guide them in a way that resonates with their stage of development.

I look forward to working with your child or teen, helping them grow into a strong, confident individual who feels connected, understood, and equipped with the skills needed to thrive in life.

Your child has incredible gifts, strengths, and potential.

I’M HERE TO HELP THEM discover that.

FAQS

Common questions about therapy for teens

  • It depends. Therapy is most effective when teens feel they have a trusting and confidential relationship with their therapist. However, many of the challenges teens face don’t exist in isolation. As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. Your level of involvement will be based on your teen’s needs and what is clinically necessary to support their growth and progress. When appropriate, I will provide guidance on how you can best support your child in reaching their goals.

  • Yes! In my extensive work with teens, I have found Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy to be highly effective. This approach helps teens understand that life is rarely 100% certain and that discomfort and unpleasant feelings are a natural part of the human experience.

    As parents, it’s natural to want to shield our children from distress. However, protecting them from uncomfortable emotions can unintentionally prevent them from developing the tools they need to navigate life’s ups and downs. Through therapy, I help teens recognize their triggers and develop healthy, effective strategies to manage anxiety and build resilience.

  • If your teen is feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of an upcoming game, dance competition, or track meet, they’re not alone. Performance anxiety is common, and without the right tools, it can take a toll on both their mental well-being and their ability to perform at their best.

    Many teen athletes struggle with underlying feelings of worthlessness or fear of rejection if they don’t meet high expectations—whether their own or others’. As parents, it’s tough to watch your child wrestle with these emotions, and it’s natural to want to help. Through counseling, I work with teens to develop strategies that calm the mind, regulate the body, and build resilience. Together, we’ll address the mental and emotional challenges that may be holding them back so they can step into competition with confidence, focus, and a healthier mindset.