Teen Therapy in Newton and Wellesley:
Helping Your Teen Thrive
As a parent, watching your teenager struggle with anxiety, stress, or feelings of sadness can be incredibly difficult. You want to help, but sometimes it’s hard to know how. Today’s teens face a lot of pressure—whether it’s managing academic expectations and heavy course loads, difficulties with friends, managing competitive sports and busy schedules, navigating a world that feels uncertain, or dealing with personal struggles they may not know how to put into words. Seeking therapy is a powerful step that can help your teen find the support, balance, and confidence they need.
As a licensed therapist with extensive experience working with adolescents through young adults, I provide a safe, non-judgmental space where your teen can work through the concerns affecting their well-being, build confidence and feel better equipped in their day to day lives. This might include building skills to manage stressors or symptoms, enhancing communication and problem solving skills, and deepening their insight. We’ll work together to explore these concerns and develop a treatment plan to best support their current needs and goals moving forward.
How Therapy Can Help Your Teen
Adolescence is a time of growth and change, but it can also be filled with confusion and emotional pain. Therapy offers teens a private, supportive environment to:
Learn healthy ways to manage anxiety and stress around school, sports, and other responsibilities.
Develop coping strategies for challenges such as perfectionism, anxiety, and social pressures.
Process difficult emotions related to relationships, friendships, or life transitions.
Build self-confidence and a sense of identity that will empower them in upcoming transitions and into adulthood
If your teen is struggling with anxiety, depression, or life changes, working with a therapist can give them tools to build resilience and take control of their mental health.
Common Reasons Parents Seek Therapy for Their Teens
Some of the most common challenges teens and their parents seek support for include:
Academic or Social Anxiety: Many teens feel intense pressure to perform well in school or extracurricular activities and sports, which can lead to overwhelming stress and anxiety.
Perfectionism: High standards can drive teens to succeed, but they can also create a cycle of fear and self-criticism that becomes hard to break.
Depression and Low Self-Esteem: Adolescence can be a time of self-doubt and confusion. Therapy can help teens navigate these feelings and build a positive self-image, increase their confidence and improve their mood.
Transitioning Through Life Changes: Moving, changing schools, family changes, or even preparing for college are big transitions that can trigger strong emotions.
Whether you’re noticing behavioral changes, emotional outbursts, withdrawal from activities, or increased stress, these may be signs that your teen could benefit from talking to a professional.
My Approach to Therapy
I understand that each teen is unique, and my approach is always tailored to meet your child where they are. With a warm, compassionate, and non-judgmental style, I help teens feel comfortable sharing what’s on their mind. Research shows the most effective intervention in therapy is having a positive relationship with a therapist, so I emphasize establishing a trusting, safe connection for your teen to explore their stressors and concerns and build skills, resilience and self-confidence.
For some teens, therapy is about learning skills to manage anxiety and stress, while for others, it’s a space to talk openly and honestly about what’s bothering them. I work closely with your teen to understand their needs, develop a collaborative treatment plan, and help them build the confidence and skills to handle life’s ups and downs.
Take the Next Step to Support Your Teen’s Mental Health
If you’re considering therapy for your teen, I’m here to help. Together, we can provide your teen with the tools to cope, grow, and find a path forward that feels right for them. Please feel free to reach out to learn more about my approach or to schedule an initial consultation.