for adolescents

I recognize that your adolescent is hearing what they should or shouldn’t do, be, or become from many directions, including parents, peers, coaches, teachers, and others. My goal in working with your adolescent is to assist in the development of insight and judgement to handle life’s challenges.

I strongly believe change only occurs when your adolescent is invested in it and ready for it, not solely because it is something that should be done. Therefore, I utilize therapeutic techniques that facilitate and engage intrinsic motivation within your adolescent in order to change their behavior, thoughts, and attitudes. Increasing motivation to change is done by helping your adolescent explore and resolve ambivalence and examine alternatives. I also draw upon additional therapeutic techniques that help your adolescent change patterns of thinking or behavior, explore past and present relationships, and regulate overwhelming emotions that are behind their difficulties. The trusting, collaborative relationship I develop with your adolescent is one of the most important vehicles to change.

During this time in life, most adolescents hear from adults what they should and should not be doing. As a therapist, I view my role in working with adolescents to be assisting in the development of insight and judgment to handle life’s challenges. I draw upon cognitive-behavioral, person-centered, emotion-focused, and attachment theory techniques which I tailor to each adolescent’s presenting needs. The majority of my clinical training was spent providing therapy and assessments to adolescents with a range of behavioral and emotional issues.