Therapy for Teens
Adolescence can be a lot to hold at once. You're figuring out who you are while navigating friendships, family, school, expectations, and a growing need for independence. Sometimes it can feel like everyone has an opinion about what you should be doing or who you should be — while you're still trying to understand that for yourself.
A Space That Feels Like Your Own
Therapy works differently when you feel like you actually have a say in it. I work to create a space where you don't have to perform, have the right answer, or talk about something before you're ready. You can also say pretty much anything here- even the things you'd rather not have repeated at the dinner table. We'll talk about privacy from the beginning so you know what stays between us and when there are exceptions. We can start with what's happening in your life right now and take the time to understand what feels hard, what matters to you, and what you want to be differ
When everything feels like a lot
You don't need to have yourself figured out. Part of being a teenager is figuring out what you care about, what feels right to you, and who you want to be. Therapy can give you space to explore those questions without feeling like you need to have all the answers. I'll help you understand yourself with more curiosity and less judgment, and feel more confident being who you are.
For Parents
Starting therapy can bring up questions for parents, too: how involved to be, what happens in sessions, and how to support your teen while still giving them space to have something that feels like their own. I believe teens benefit most when therapy offers a meaningful sense of privacy while parents remain important partners in supporting their well-being. We'll talk openly about what that balance looks like and how we can work together to support your teen while respecting their growing independence.
Relationships, Family & Finding Your Voice
As you become more independent, relationships can get complicated. You may want more space from your family while still needing their support. Friendships can shift, conflict can feel consuming, and it isn't always easy to know when to speak up, set a boundary, or let something go. Therapy can be a place to sort through what’s happening, practice expressing what you need, and feel more confident being yourself in relationships.
Growing Into Yourself
You don't need to have yourself figured out. Part of being a teenager is trying things on — discovering what you care about, what feels true to you, and what kind of person you want to become. I'll help you make room for that process with more curiosity and less judgment, so you can understand yourself more deeply and move through this stage of life with a stronger sense of who you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sometimes teens are the ones asking to start therapy, while other times the idea comes from a parent and they may not be sure they want to come. That's common, and I don't expect teens to arrive ready to open up or know what they want to talk about. As a therapist who works with teens, I try to meet them where they are and give them time to get a feel for me and for therapy, without forcing the process. Building trust is part of the work, and sometimes that starts simply with giving a teen room to feel however they feel about being there.
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Before we begin, we'll talk about how parent involvement and privacy will work so that everyone knows what to expect. In general, I want teens to have enough privacy to speak openly while keeping parents appropriately involved in supporting them. That may include occasional check ins about how things are going more broadly. If concerns about your teen's safety come up, I will involve you as appropriate.
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I work with children and teens starting at age 10. As kids move through the middle and high school years, therapy can offer a space that feels like their own while still keeping parents appropriately involved in supporting them.
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Therapy doesn't have to mean sitting and talking for the entire session. Depending on a child's age, personality, and what feels comfortable, we might talk, play a game, draw, or use other activities along the way. With teens, sessions often become more conversational, but there's no expectation that they need to sit down and immediately know what to talk about. I adapt the way we work based on the individual and what helps them feel most comfortable engaging in therapy.
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Both. I see teens in person at my office in Midtown Manhattan and offer virtual therapy throughout New York and Connecticut. We can talk about which option makes the most sense for your teen and family.