Therapy for Teens
A confidential space to navigate stress, relationships, and self-discovery.
Our Approach
Our work with teens is built on respect and collaboration. We create a confidential space where teens can be real about their challenges without judgment. We use concrete approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help them understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and actions. We serve as a guide, working together to build practical skills that help teens feel less overwhelmed, more understood, and more confident in managing whatever challenges they face in their lives.
We offer in-person and virtual therapy sessions for clients across Santa Monica, Brentwood, West Los Angeles, Westwood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, and nearby Westside neighborhoods.
Common Reasons Teens Seek Therapy
Intense academic pressure and school-related stress.
Social anxiety, friendship issues, or bullying.
Symptoms of depression, including irritability, withdrawal, and low mood.
Low self-esteem and a negative or critical inner voice.
Family conflict and difficulty communicating their needs and emotions.
Difficulty coping after a difficult or traumatic experience.
Overwhelming feelings of stress or worry about the future.
Who We Work With
Teens feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of school, social media, and life.
Adolescents struggling with anxiety, depression, or intense emotions.
Teens who want to build confidence and challenge their inner critic.
Teens wanting to explore their identity in a safe, supportive environment.
Families looking for support in communicating more effectively with their teenager.
What You Can Expect from Therapy
A confidential, non-judgmental space for your teen to talk openly.
Practical, in-the-moment tools to manage anxiety and academic stress.
CBT-based skills to identify and reframe negative self-talk and build real confidence.
Improved communication skills for navigating friendships and family relationships.
A greater sense of confidence and resilience in the face of life's challenges.
Common Questions about Teen Therapy
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Yes and no. Confidentiality and trust is the foundation of our work. What your teen shares in session is between them and their therapist. The only exception, which we will discuss on day one, is if there is a serious concern for their safety or the safety of someone else. Building trust is our top priority.
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Parents often wonder if their teen really needs therapy. They often wonder about the stigma of their teen seeing a therapist at a young age. The reality is that being a teen in today’s world is hard. Seeing a therapist is a smart, proactive way for a teen to learn new skills to manage their changing emotions, get an outside perspective from someone they trust, and build a stronger mental foundation for the rest of their life.
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That's perfectly fine. They don't need to have everything figured out before they come in. Your therapist is skilled at asking questions and guiding the conversation. Often, just starting is the hardest part. We'll find a focus together.
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This depends! We feel it is important to give teens their own space in therapy. With children, therapists meet with parents one to two times per month. With teens, we will assess the needs of your family and come up with a treatment plan you feel comfortable with. Your teen’s therapist will likely bring you into session from time to time to reflect on treatment progress, learn more about how your teen is doing at home and school, and help you learn strategies to support your teen. If more parent support is needed, we often refer to a parenting specialist in order to keep your teen’s therapy space their own, while helping you get the tools you need from a trusted source.