Teen Therapy
Adolescence can be a season of rapid emotional, social, and neurological change. Many teens today are navigating high levels of stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, and emotional overwhelm while still learning the skills needed to regulate their thoughts, feelings, and reactions.
I provide virtual therapy for teens (12+) across Florida, helping adolescents build emotional regulation, resilience, and confidence in a way that supports both the teen and the family system.
When Teens May Benefit from Therapy
Teens often appear “fine” on the surface while quietly struggling internally. Therapy can be especially helpful when a teen is experiencing:
heightened anxiety or worry
emotional outbursts or shutdown
low self-esteem or self-doubt
difficulty managing stress
social withdrawal or overwhelm
trauma or distressing past experiences
nervous system dysregulation
school or peer-related stress
Early support can make a meaningful difference in how teens learn to understand and manage their emotional world.
Why Early Support Matters
Learning emotional regulation skills during adolescence is a powerful lifelong investment. The teenage brain is still developing, particularly in areas related to impulse control, emotional processing, and stress response.
When teens learn evidence-based coping and regulation tools early, they often carry these skills into adulthood, leading to:
improved emotional resilience
healthier relationships
better stress management
increased self-awareness
stronger confidence and decision-making
Supporting teens now can reduce the likelihood that patterns of anxiety, avoidance, or emotional reactivity become more deeply ingrained over time (Patel et al., 2007).
My Teen Therapy Approach
My work with teens is trauma-informed, and evidence-based. I integrate multiple modalities depending on your teen’s needs, including:
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Trauma-Informed Therapy
nervous system regulation strategies
Sessions are paced thoughtfully to help teens feel safe, understood, and not overwhelmed by the process.
How EMDR Can Help Teens
EMDR is an evidence-based therapy shown to be effective in reducing trauma symptoms, anxiety, and emotional distress in children and adolescents. Research indicates EMDR can help the brain reprocess distressing experiences so they feel less emotionally activating over time. Learn more about EMDR here.
For teens, EMDR may help:
reduce emotional reactivity
process upsetting experiences
decrease anxiety and fear responses
improve nervous system regulation
strengthen emotional resilience
Many teens benefit from EMDR because it does not rely solely on verbal processing and can be adapted developmentally.
Parent and Family Involvement
When working with minors, collaboration with parents or caregivers is an important part of the process. I require periodic family sessions to support communication, alignment, and progress within the family system.
These sessions help:
strengthen parent-teen understanding
support skill use at home
address patterns affecting the family unit
create consistency across environments
The goal is not only individual support for the teen, but meaningful change that the whole family can benefit from.
What to Teens can Expect in Therapy
Early sessions focus on:
building rapport and trust with your teen
understanding emotional and behavioral patterns
developing regulation and coping skills
assessing whether trauma-focused work is needed, and appropriate
As therapy progresses, we move at a pace that respects your teen’s readiness and nervous system capacity.
My approach is structured, compassionate, and collaborative with both teens and parents.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my teen needs therapy?
If your teen is showing increased anxiety, emotional overwhelm, withdrawal, or difficulty coping with stress, therapy can provide helpful support and skills.
Is EMDR safe for teens?
Yes. EMDR is considered an evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents when provided by a properly trained clinician and adapted developmentally.
Will parents be involved in the process?
Yes. Periodic family sessions are required when working with minors to support communication, alignment, and progress within the family system.
Gentle Questions Parents/Guardians Can Ask Their Teen
“Are there moments when you feel really overwhelmed or stressed?”
“Do you ever wish you had someone neutral to talk to?”
“If things could feel even a little better, what would you hope would change?”
“Would you be open to trying therapy just to see if it helps?”
“What would make talking to someone feel more comfortable for you?”
“Is there anything you’ve been holding in that feels hard to talk about at home?”
Starting the conversation gently and without pressure can help teens feel safer and more open to support.
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Ready to Support Your Teen?
If your teen is feeling overwhelmed, struggling emotionally, or having difficulty regulating stress, therapy can provide meaningful support and practical tools that last well beyond adolescence.
I invite you to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation to discuss whether my approach is the right fit for your teen and your family.