TOP-RATED TEEN THERAPY | BOULDER, COLORADO

There's no right or wrong age to seek counseling. While it can be vulnerable to reach out for support, know that you're doing the right thing to make sure your teen feels supported and learns valuable skills to help both now and in the future.

At my practice, I specialize in working with teens and young adults. I don't have a strict age limit, so if you feel like we might be a good fit for each other, I encourage you to reach out so we can discuss whether my services are appropriate for your specific situation.

The best type of therapy for teens often depends on their individual needs, challenges, and personality. I use an integrative approach that combines several evidence-based techniques proven effective for adolescents, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps teens understand and change negative thought patterns and behaviors.

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Teaches skills for managing intense emotions and improving relationships.

• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: Focuses on identifying strengths and finding practical solutions to current problems.

• Motivational Interviewing: Helps teens explore their own motivations for change and overcome ambivalence.

I tailor therapy sessions to each teen's unique needs, often combining elements from these and other methods to provide the most effective support.

Some therapists might use other approaches, like internal family systems (IFS) or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).

If you're not sure whether the approaches I offer are the right fit, I encourage you to reach out. I'm happy to discuss how I can help and in some cases, provide a referral to another local licensed professional counselor or clinical social worker.

Some degree of parent involvement in teen counseling is crucial, but the extent and nature of their involvement varies.

Typically, parents will reach out for the initial consultation where we'll chat about your teen's needs and whether I'm the right fit. If we decide to move forward, we'll often start with a joint session involving both the teen and parents to gather information and set goals.

From here, the work will be largely between your teenager and myself. It's important for your teen to have a private, supportive space where they can talk about what's on their mind in an unfiltered way. I'll provide updates when clinically necessary, but my focus is on building a therapeutic relationship with your teen.

Sometimes, I'll suggest family sessions. In these sessions, we'll cover topics like family dynamics, communication, and anything else your teen wants to cover.

It's common for parents to wonder whether their teen's behavior is just a normal part of adolescence or a sign that something deeper is going on. Either way, therapy can often be helpful.

Here are some signs that your teen might benefit from counseling:

• Changes in mood or behavior

• Academic struggles

• Relationship issues with family or friends

• Changes in sleep or eating habits

• Stress, worry, or anxiety

• Expressions of hopelessness or talk about self-harm

• Substance use or other risky behaviors

• Difficulty coping with a major life change

• Your teen has asked for help or expressed interest in therapy

Remember, you don't need to wait for a crisis to seek therapy. Many teens benefit from having a neutral, supportive space to work through the challenges of adolescence, even if they're not experiencing severe symptoms.