Therapy for teens, college students & young adults
Adolescence and young adulthood are periods of rapid change, identity exploration, and emotional growth—and they can feel incredibly intense. Academic pressure, social stress, family expectations, and uncertainty about the future can quickly become overwhelming. Therapy offers a supportive space to feel heard, understood, and more grounded during this time.
YOU MAY BENEFIT FROM THERAPY IF YOU:
-
Feel overwhelmed by school, grades, or performance expectations
-
Struggle with anxiety, mood changes, or emotional regulation
-
Seem withdrawn, irritable, or disconnected from others
-
Experience perfectionism, self-doubt, or fear of failure
-
Have difficulty expressing emotions or asking for help
-
Are navigating identity questions, transitions, or major life changes
Therapy offers teens and college students a space to feel heard, better understand their emotions, and develop the tools to navigate life's challenges with greater confidence.
The teenage and college years are important periods of emotional, social, and personal development. During these years, expectations can feel especially high, and it isn't always easy to communicate what you're feeling or ask for help.
A teen or college student may be navigating questions like:
-
Why do I feel so anxious, even when things seem fine?
-
What happens if I disappoint my parents or don't meet expectations?
-
Why do I compare myself to everyone else?
-
How do I handle friendships that are changing?
-
How do I figure out who I am and what matters to me?
-
Why is it so hard to talk about my feelings?
-
How can I manage school stress without feeling overwhelmed?
-
How do I become more confident in myself?
These questions can feel even more difficult when combined with anxiety, perfectionism, social pressure, family conflict, or the fear of failure.
Therapy can help teens and college students better understand these experiences, develop healthier coping strategies, and feel more confident navigating challenges at school, at home, and in their relationships.
Common Concerns I Help With
Anxiety & Academic Stress
School can come with significant pressure to perform, meet expectations, and plan for the future. Therapy can help with excessive worry, test anxiety, overthinking, perfectionism, and feeling overwhelmed by academic responsibilities.
Depression & Low Mood
When a teen or college student feels persistently sad, irritable, disconnected, or unmotivated, it can become difficult to keep up with everyday responsibilities. Therapy offers space to explore these feelings and develop strategies for coping.
Emotional Regulation
Big emotions can be difficult to understand and manage, especially during stressful situations. Therapy can help teens and college students recognize emotional triggers, communicate their feelings, and respond to challenging situations in healthier ways.
Perfectionism & Fear of Failure
The pressure to get good grades, meet expectations, and succeed can make mistakes feel unbearable. Therapy can help clients challenge self-critical thoughts, manage performance anxiety, and develop a healthier relationship with achievement.
Self-Esteem & Confidence
Comparing yourself to classmates, navigating social media, or feeling like you aren't good enough can take a toll on self-esteem. Therapy can help teens and college students build self-awareness, recognize their strengths, and develop a more compassionate view of themselves.
Identity & Personal Growth
The teenage and college years often bring questions about identity, values, belonging, and the future. Therapy can provide a space to explore these questions without pressure to have all the answers.
Family Dynamics & Communication
Family expectations, disagreements, and difficulty expressing needs can contribute to stress. Therapy can help teens and college students better understand family dynamics, communicate more effectively, and navigate conflict while developing a stronger sense of self.
Friendships & Relationships
Friendship changes, peer pressure, social anxiety, dating, and feeling left out can be difficult to navigate. Therapy can help clients strengthen communication skills, establish healthy boundaries, and build more fulfilling relationships.
TEEN THERAPY: A SPACE TO FEEL HEARD
For teenagers, asking for help isn't always easy. Some teens may struggle to put their feelings into words, worry about being misunderstood, or feel pressure to handle everything on their own. Parents may notice changes in mood, increased irritability, withdrawal, declining motivation, or frequent worries without knowing how best to help.
Therapy gives teenagers an opportunity to talk openly about what they're experiencing, better understand their emotions, and develop practical coping skills in a supportive environment.
My approach is collaborative and tailored to each teenager's needs. I want teens to feel respected, understood, and actively involved in their therapeutic process.
I also recognize that parents and caregivers play an important role in supporting a teenager's well-being. When appropriate, I work with parents or caregivers while maintaining clear expectations around confidentiality and the teen's privacy.
COLLEGE STUDENT THERAPY: NAVIGATING ACADEMIC & PERSONAL PRESSURES
Between demanding coursework, exams, changing friendships, relationships, and adjusting to greater independence, college students may find themselves feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or uncertain about themselves and their future.
You might be struggling to keep up academically while trying to maintain a social life. You might feel pressure to choose the right major, make your family proud, or have a clear plan for what comes next. Or you may be finding that the coping strategies that worked in high school no longer feel as effective.
Therapy can help college students navigate these challenges, recognize unhelpful thought patterns, build emotional resilience, and develop greater confidence in their decisions.
You don't have to wait until you're in crisis to seek support. Therapy can be a space to better understand yourself, work through challenges, and develop skills that support your well-being throughout college.
A COMFORTABLE, NONJUDGEMENTAL SPACE
Starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially if you've never spoken with a therapist before.
My goal is to make therapy feel approachable, collaborative, and grounded in connection. You don't need to know exactly what to say or have everything figured out before we begin.
My therapeutic approach draws on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and trauma-informed approaches. Our work will depend on your individual needs, experiences, and goals.
Together, we can explore what's contributing to your stress, identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and develop practical ways to navigate challenges.
