Teen Issues

Adolescence is a beautiful and wild time. The brain is undergoing this massive transformation. There are so many "firsts" occurring and you're really exploring and defining exactly who you are. Our society doesn't always do the best job at celebrating or preparing us for this transformation. (think media portrayals of the moody teen always being the butt of the joke). In reality, this time can be stressful for parents and teens alike. What if we could make it smoother with support?

Adolescents work through the many challenges (self-esteem issues, suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, identity issues, substance abuse, peer/family conflict, self-harm, etc.) they face in that stage of life, with my experience as a middle school counselor, I have a specific set of tools to support and foster growth in children/teenagers.

Relationships Bullying Self-Esteem Trauma Anxiety Depression ADHD Developmental Concerns

Relationships Bullying Self-Esteem Trauma Anxiety Depression ADHD Developmental Concerns Peer Relationships

I have worked with 5-year-olds to seniors in high school for most of my career. I do very well with kids, and they seem to be very comfortable and open with me. We discuss therapy goals with parents/guardians and get to work. But I promise you we have fun reaching the therapeutic goals!

Kristen works with adolescent and young adults on issues of peer pressure, identity, self image, self worth, transitions, and work/ school stressors.

For the last 10 years I have successfully worked with teens and preteens with a variety of concerns including: behavioral, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and family conflict.

Specializing in evaluating teen issues, I blend psychological expertise with educational consulting to guide parents of wayward teens. My focus is on thorough assessments, uncovering underlying issues and crafting tailored strategies. I help navigate the complexities of adolescence, providing clarity and direction for parents seeking the best path forward for their teens. My role as an assessor is pivotal in identifying unique challenges and opportunities, ensuring your teen has a path forward.

Your teen isn't always going to feel comfortable approaching you with hard topics. A lot of my clients discuss their discovery of sex or drugs with me whenever rapport is built, and I always want to foster open communication and trust regarding those topics. I always tell my clients that I wasn't their age too long ago and want to explore the reasons why they do things that we often view as dangerous or irresponsible.

I have been working with adolescents since 2012. In The Child Mind Institute’s recent 2021 report: it was found that “55% of children felt more “sad, depressed or unhappy,” versus 25% of adults.” Additionally, “teens surveyed said that the pandemic had impacted their mental health in some way, with 37% saying it had made their mental health worse.” “But there is good news, too: 42% of teens overall say that the pandemic has increased the number of conversations they have around mental health.”

Working as a therapist in high schools was an eye-opening, and very rewarding, experience, and I bring that experience to my private practice. Adolescents today face unprecedented stressors and navigate worlds that are hugely challenging for developing minds. But adolescence is also a rich time in which so much joy and growth occurs. I love to work with adolescent girls who are finding their place in the world.

I've worked with teens, parents and families since 2015. My work with teens includes forming a connection, humor, and curiosity woven in with structured interventions that focus on building confidence, more connection and insight into feelings, increased communication and relationship skills, supporting self-advocacy and self-expression, and improving family bonds and friendships.

I have 15 years of experience working with adolescents and find that I build rapport easily with this demographic

Adolescence is an extraordinary and sometimes tumultuous chapter of life. It's a period of self-discovery, personal growth, and profound transformation. However, it can also be a time when intricate emotions, identity challenges, academic pressures, peer interactions, and family dynamics come into play. I embrace these adolescent experiences with deep empathy and an authentic commitment to comprehending their perspective.

It is hard to be a teenager today. I work with families and their teens to find ways for the teen to better cope with life stressors and pressure of today. I work with teens that have anxiety, depression, issues with peers and mood changes.

Adolescents is a unique time in a girls life that can bring forth an array of emotions, experiences, doubts, relationships issues and even traumas. I love working with adolescent girls to develop a relationship with their inner knowing, confidence, and self-love to navigate their experiences and emotions in more helpful way.

Being a teen is HARD. Period. There are so many different issues that can pop up throughout these vital years and sometimes we just need to talk about it with someone, figure out what the next steps are, and start to move forward!

Our clinicians help adolescents develop a more secure and healthy identity and understanding of themselves, improve communication skills, and resolve conflicts both inside and outside the home. In working with teens, our clinicians first and foremost foster a space where they feel truly safe to open up and trust in the relationship. We value authentic connection and trust.