Therapy for Teens
Individual counseling to support youth ages 13 - 17 in the phase of adolescence.
“So much of what teenagers want is to feel like they belong. Like their existence matters in this universe. I'm not talking about the "I can be in a crowd and what I'm wearing and saying match fit in with everyone," but that I really belong. They want to feel that their existence in this big, vast world matters. That how they show up each and every day is really worth it and has meaning. And really... isn't that what we all want?
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Chances are, your son or daughter won’t admit it but they are scared a lot of the time. They are scared that no matter how hard they work to study for exams, try to be “cool” with everyone around them or how hard they try to make everyone else "okay" they still won’t feel like they are good enough.
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Even though your teen is scared, though, they are realllllly good at putting on a big smile and saying “I'm fine."
As soon as emotions like anxiety, overwhelm or sadness start to rush to the surface, they put on a big smile as to not let anyone know how much they are really hurting. But they are hurting. And, in turn, you as their parent is hurting too.
By believing they aren’t good enough they never really feel a sense of okayness.
By not wanting to let anyone else down, they do things they don’t really want to do because they don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings or make anyone else uncomfortable. They can’t enjoy weekends, family trips, or down time because they are so wrapped up on staying on top of it all and getting it right. They try so hard to keep it all together, but it just constantly feels like they are about to fall apart. These feelings of anxiety and not-good-enough are costing them their peace.
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I support anxious, highly-sensitive teens in moving from a place of worried and unsure to a space of calm and confident.
How therapy works
Therapy brings wholeness for teens in stressful situations. Imagine your child woke up and felt confident, peaceful and just “okay” in their own skin. They are surrounded by a crew of friends who love them for who they are - their sensitive, compassionate, quirky self. When you see your kiddo walk downstairs for breakfast they have confidence in their stride because they trust themselves. They stop second guessing if what they are doing is “right” or what they are saying is “okay.” They look in the mirror and see themselves as whole.
Therapy will support teens in:​
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Learning how to stop “picking up” the feelings of others, because it’s not their stuff to pick up.
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Understanding how the cycle “omg I have to make this perfect” leads to anxiety which leads to breakdown.
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Leaning in to uncomfortable emotions as a way of connecting with what they really need
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Learning that pleasing the entire world is impossible.
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Process feelings of grief, loss, or trauma which are impacting school, relationships, and self esteem.
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Gaining strategies so they feel like they can tackle big emotions and that one of the ways to do this is to ask for help.
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Actively utilizing mindfulness and other coping strategies to support strong emotions
I believe that each and everyone one of us is built for the tough stuff. When life feels hard we sometimes forget the strength and resilience already within us.
I'd like to help your teenager learn about themselves, tackle the tape of not-good-enough and stand tall so they can face this great, big world from a place of authenticity and courage.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP
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