Support for Teens, Support for Parents:

 Adolescence can be full of adventure and discovery.  Yet many families struggle during this  period of rapid change and highly charged emotions.   When a teen struggles with sadness, fear, impassivity, or anger the  volume can get turned  up on the typical family challenges.  Professional guidance for the family can be essential.  My approach with teenagers is to connect with them as individuals, to cultivate their strengths, give them a place to be heard, a safe haven for exploring conflicting needs.  

When providing psychotherapy to your teenager I will also provide direct support to you.  Many parents can feel exhausted by constant conflict, feeling as if they don't know their child anymore, and have understandable fears about the possible consequences of their child's struggles.  It can feel as if the family has been turned upside down. 

My work  aims at helping parents find new ways to be their child's supporters, protectors, and champions, helping families to communicate about delicate issues with more connection and less conflict.   Like a toddler  learning to walk – teenagers need support to stand up, freedom to fall, and  comfort to mend and try again.

​"Even as kids reach adolescence, they need more than ever for us to watch over them.  Adolescence is not about letting go.  It's about hanging on during a very bumpy ride." - Ron Taffel
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Teens:

• Social Challenges - social anxiety, navigating difficult relationship with peers, coping with bullying, over- reliance on social media
• Moodiness: angry outbursts, sadness, withdrawal, poor school performance
• School Avoidance - due to depression, anxiety, or other challenges  
• Hidden challenges of ADHD  - social challenges, school struggles, depression and anxiety that hide underneath ADHD
• Stress Management: coping with high academic demand, anticipation of and transition to college, navigating changing social atmospheres

Parents:

• Strong support for the parent on the teenage emotional roller coaster
• Help facilitating healthy communication with your teen about difficult and emotionally charged topics
• Navigating School Systems -Support, guidance and advocacy for getting appropriate supports from schools
• Helping your teen navigate new social atmospheres-
  support with parenting teens in complicated relationships with peers
• Parent Coaching- get assistance for setting appropriate limits, developing systems of reward and consequences, support for maintaining consistency.