Therapy for adolescents
Throughout South Carolina and Missouri.
It’s hard being a teenager.
You know being a teenager is hard, but you are concerned your teenager may be struggling more than ‘normal.’ High school can be one of the most stressful, anxiety-producing times in their life…even if they live in a stable, supportive, loving environment.
Did your kid used to be happy and outgoing and now seem withdrawn or quiet?
Did they used to be confident and now they seem nervous, worried, or clingy?
Does your child get upset at the drop of a hat and always seems to be arguing with someone?
Is your child having a more difficult time handling situations that usually aren’t a big deal?
While your teen is trying their best to deal with everything on their own, you find yourself walking on egg shells at home or laying awake at night worrying about how you can help. You’re not sure what to expect from them day to day or even moment to moment. You are probably feeling frustrated, definitely exhausted, and maybe a little afraid that you are turning into the worst version of yourself as a parent. You are trying to do everything you think of to help them and nothing seems to be making a difference.
Your kid doesn’t need you to be perfect. They just need you to be there.
Feeling connected to your teen is possible.
Adolescence is a time when young people are starting to assert their independence. As much as they act like they don’t need their parents, receiving comfort, security and reassurance from their caregivers is still a vital part of development. I also know the relationship between teens and their caregivers or parents can be tumultuous, at best. This is why I offer both individual and family therapy options. Parent and teen therapy can be a combination of working with one-on-one with the teen, one-on-one with the parent/caregiver, and/or you all together. We can spend time working together to learn more about your background and responses/reactions to your teen. The more you understand yourself, the strong your relationship can be. This process of working together is critical in resolving the roots of the problems you’re seeing. Therapy with parents and their teen provides the space to understand each point of view and learn to better understand each other, without all the blame.
I’m here to help you and your teen….
Feel more connected
Develop better communication skills
Better understand each other
Establish healthy boundaries
Manage stress
Decrease frequency and intensity of conflicts
Common Issues Addressed in Therapy for Adolescents
Life transitions
Risky behavior
Academic issues
Anxiety, ADHD, Depression
Identity
Family Conflict
Social Challenges
Parent/Child Conflict
Communication
Sibling conflict
Perfectionism
Confidence
Sexual orientation/Gender Identity
Letter to the teens:
Hi, I’m Allie!
Maybe your parent asked you to read this or maybe you really want counseling for yourself. Either way, I’m here to listen and get to know you. You get to choose what we talk about or if we talk at all. I love to have fun in session. We can play games, draw, listen to music, or talk. This is your time to talk about what you want.
You don’t have to worry about getting in trouble. Whatever we talk about is private. I have a strict Confidentiality policy—the only reason I would need to share what you say with a parent or adult is if you were in immediate danger (like a risk of death or physical harm) or if you tell me that a crime has been committed against you.
I will never tell you what to do. That’s not my style, but I can help you understand how you feel. We can talk about your friends, relationships, sex... If you are feeling stressed, worried, frustrated, dealing with a death, divorce, break up.
Nothing is off limits as long as you feel like you want to talk about it—I’m here. I’m LGBTQIA+ affirming and strive to be Anti-Racist + Anti Biased. You are welcome exactly how you are today. I’d love to meet you!
Frequently asked questions about adolescent therapy
FAQs
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It is important to have a conversation with your child before the first session. Allowing them the opportunity to prepare mentally and express their feelings about starting the therapy process is an important part to them feeling like they have some control over the situation. It is important to be clear that therapy is not a punishment. If they feel hesitant or show some resistance, that’s perfectly normal. Try to empathize with them and reiterate that you love and care for them. Before the session you can show your them my picture and website so they get an idea of what to expect.
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The parent/caregiver/legal guardian must be present for the first session because the minor cannot legally consent to treatment. How long the adult stays in the session is dependent on the situation and is something we can discuss prior to or during the first sess
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I may check in with your periodically to discuss your teen’s progress. However, my sessions are confidential, and I cannot talk to you about the details of our sessions without their consent. Instead, I will give you feedback on what we are working on in session and ask you for feedback on what you have noticed.
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It’s normal to take some time to warm up, especially if they feel out of control or that they are being punished. If they’re not comfortable sharing things right away, that’s okay. They set the pace, and I can adapt. Therapy doesn’t just have to be talking, we can listen to music, play a game, read, draw, color, etc.
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It’s incredibly important that you feel comfortable with your therapist. Click this link to schedule a free consultation with me and have a chance to decide if we’ll be a good fit. I’ll answer any questions you have, and if we’re a good match, we’ll book your first appointment and begin our work together. (And if we’re not, I’ll gladly refer you to another clinician who might be!)