Therapy for teens

In-person in Davis & Online throughout California

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

Things were great until everything changed. Now all you see in your child is…

  • Low motivation

  • Anxious

  • Withdrawing from others

  • Not enjoying the activities they once loved

  • Grades are slipping lower and lower

  • More arguments with you, siblings, and friends

As a parent, you’re naturally worried and concerned for your teen’s future. Will they be motivated enough to go to college? Get a job? Did something happen to them? Why won’t they talk to me like they used to? 

And worse, now you question yourself as a parent. Am I doing enough? Did I do something wrong? Or miss something important? Your mind is spinning with ideas and all the possibilities of what you might have done wrong.

Our approach to working with teens

You might notice small changes in the beginning. Turning in an assignment on time, or their overall mood improving. Maybe they plan to see friends more than before or get excited about an old hobby again. You start to see the light within them shine a little brighter.

We believe in creating a safe, non-judgmental, and supportive space for teens to feel safe enough to explore and express themselves. We do ask for parent involvement with check-in sessions with parents. We know that parents can provide more information about what is happening at home, school, and in relationships. We might also request to speak with teachers, or your teen's primary medical professionals to collaborate on their mental health needs. When we collaborate with others, including parents, we hold the privacy of the teen to the highest of standards, we do inform all of our clients about the limits to confidentiality and when we might need to tell others information from their sessions. We are always striving to help them find their inner compass on their journey. 

What we’ll work on

Therapy can help your teen:

  • Learn how to reduce anxiety

  • Learn coping skills

  • Stress management techniques

  • Improve academic performance

  • Increase communication with peers and parents

  • Increase self-confidence

  • Manage feelings of anger and learn safe ways to express them

  • Other areas of focus may be bullying, gender identity, sexual orientation, social norms, test anxiety, and much more

Together, let’s discover your teen’s true north and strengthen what is already within.

FAQS

Common questions about therapy for teens

  • We encourage parents to be involved in check-ins and providing information to the therapist. We do have coaching and healing of the parent-teen relationship, when appropriate.

  • Therapists provide a brief overview of the teen’s progress. Exact paraphrasing of secession conversations will not be provided unless there is a reason to breach confidentiality. Teens are involved in how much information is shared with parents.

  • We do ask parents to be present as part of the first session. Some parents choose to wait in the waiting room during the session. While others have the teens attend therapy sessions without them present. Your therapist can discuss this more with you.