My Approach to Helping

Does your teen seem sad, angry, or overwhelmed? Is it difficult to communicate with them, due to avoidance, isolation, or refusing to discuss what is bothering them? As an experienced adolescent therapist, I have worked effectively with hundreds of teens in addressing the issues which cause them to struggle. I am passionate about helping adolescents improve their self-esteem and confidence, feel less depressed or anxious, learn to manage frustration and anger, make self-affirming choices and end self-defeating behaviors.

My practice is dedicated to supporting teens, young adults, and their families achieve their potential. We work together to develop healthy coping strategies for challenging feelings, identify strengths which can support self-confidence and motivation, and learn healthy ways of communicating their needs to others.

More Info About My Practice

Many of the clients I work with come to me trying to make sense of several simultaneous issues-- perhaps they are self-medicating with substances while feeling depressed and experiencing low self-worth; some feel angry and shutdown while also feeling lonely and misunderstood; others use harmful coping strategies such as self-harm to try and manage feelings of depression and anxiety.

I work with many young people to manage excessive/compulsive use of technology, and to help them find balance in their life and activities. The guiding principle of my practice is to support young people moving from self-judgment and low self-esteem to recognition and acknowledgement of their strengths, value, and individuality.

Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With

Adoption and Developmental Trauma
Adolescent Substance use
Internet/compulsive computer use
Anxiety, including social anxiety and performance anxiety
Depression, including self-harming behaviors
Attention Deficit Disorder

On the Fence About Going to Therapy?

If you have read this far, you may be considering whether seeing a therapist is right for you or your child. It is pretty normal to feel like we should be able to somehow, through our own efforts, solve our own challenges. This is especially true for many adolescents and young adults, for whom asking for help or acknowledging difficulty means that somehow they aren't good enough.

In my experience, counseling feels most like having a safe place to talk about your life exactly as it is, while providing the opportunity to consider what is working and what you might wish to change. For some, simply the action of making an initial appointment and talking with someone who can listen non-judgmentally and with compassion creates movement and change all on its own.