Therapy for
Teens & Adolescents
Adolescence is one of the most significant transitions
a person will ever navigate.
Adolescence is a
Unique Time of Life
Teens and Adolescents are navigating the liminal space of being between a child and an adult. They are figuring out who they are and who they are becoming as they begin to form their own identity. So much is occurring in these formative years between the ages of 10-25:
- Biologically and physically: our bodies undergo significant changes through puberty which can be unsettling, uncomfortable and emotional.
- Socially: Along with figuring out who you are, teens are figuring out where they belong. As they shift from parental dependence to independence, their peers and social groups become of foremost importance.
- Cognitively: our brains are developing the capacity for abstract thinking, executive functioning, impulse control, decision making and so much more.
- Sexually: sexual development is a life long journey. Many begin solidifying their sexual identity during these teen years as they come to understand their gender identity and attraction/desire. It is a time of exploring and navigating intimate relationships.
- Practically, this transition to adulthood means learning to navigate the world independently — leaving home, gaining employment, managing money, and figuring out what kind of adult you want to be.
Common Challenges Facing
Teen & Adolescents:
- The impacts of social media and technology
- Cyberbullying which can lead to low self-esteem, substance abuse and suicidal ideation.
- Unrealistic standards of beauty/living that can lead to negative body image, low self esteem and social comparison.
- Addictive features of technology that impact concentration, sleep patterns, compulsive behavior and real-world relationships.
- Mental Health issues issues such as depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and self-harming, eating disorders, substance use/abuse.
- According to a 2023 CDC Youth Survey: around 20% of high school students seriously considered attempting suicide, and nearly 10% made an attempt. LGBTQ+ youth face a significantly higher risk of considering or attempting suicide. Additionally, approximately 17% of adolescents report engaging in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI).
- Intense academic pressures: high expectations for good grades, competition for college, pressure to build a resume of achievements / extracurricular activities, excessive concern or worry about the future, feeling like you have to have it all figured out.
- Growing concern and anxiety for the world they are inheriting:
- Distress around the climate crisis
- Socioeconomic disparities
- LGBTQ+ discrimination
- Realities facing immigrant and refugees
Whether you’re a teen looking for support yourself, or a parent wondering if therapy might help, we’d love to talk. Our therapists work with adolescents navigating everything from social relationships and identity to anxiety, depression, and self-worth.
Meet Teen & Adolescent Focused Therapists
Our therapists bring both professional training and genuine understanding to this work.
Ready to Start Therapy?
You don’t have to be in crisis to reach out. You don’t have to have it all figured out.
Whether you’re a teen who wants support, or a parent who isn’t sure where to start, that’s enough.