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As teens navigate the rocky road between childhood and adulthood, they can often feel confused, discouraged, anxious, unloved, and depressed. My therapy provides a safe, non-judgmental environment where I both empathize deeply with your teen and challenge him or her.
Most ‘troubled’ teens are troubled because they do not know how to take responsibility for themselves and their actions. I will facilitate life skills, healthy boundaries, and loving relationships, while encouraging your teen to take full responsibility for his/her thoughts and actions.
I help teens and young adults to identify the parts of their lives that are causing them problems and offer strategies for making their life and the lives of their family more harmonious. I aim to reduce resistance your teen may have toward self, authority, chores, and/or school.
The focus is on teaching your teen how to imagine the consequences of actions in the future. Once this essential skill is learned, a great deal of trouble is avoided.
I utilize a strength-based model that seeks to pay close attention and reinforce positive behavior change while focusing on the essence of the person beneath behavior problems. I seek to gain insight into how and why addictions or problematic behaviors began, and I offer strategies for recognizing and making better choices. I walk beside your teen, as a wise grandma, as he or she navigates the challenging path to adulthood.
Online Therapy
Sometimes teens are resistant to traditional therapy, and the most difficult job for parents can be getting their teen to go to therapy. This difficulty is often lessened considerably with online therapy.
Your teen might be more comfortable using Skype or the phone and texting me during crisis periods. And it can be one less car pool for you!
My Goal
My goal is to help your teen learn healthy ways to overcome negativity and fear, by using her mind correctly. Learning these skills will give your teen a tremendous advantage in life. I will also help her find sharper focus, heightened self-esteem, communication skills, physical health, self-knowledge and clear boundaries. Strengthening these qualities will enable her (and you!) to peacefully navigate the perils of this mighty transition.
After I have met with your teen for several sessions, if it feels appropriate for all, I will suggest a family meeting to discuss my client’s progress (while maintaining strict client confidentiality) and how new habits and behaviors can be implemented for more peace by the entire family.
My Qualifications
Besides my professional qualifications, I have worked for over 40 years with teens and young adults in various settings. I have personally raised or helped to raise more than seven teenagers. I have also worked in adolescent detention facilities as well as a variety of educational environments.
Also, I worked with a group of troubled preteen boys in a therapeutic after-school program and a group of female teen drug addicts in a therapeutic home. I usually do not find it difficult to communicate well with teens. My experiences have taught me a certain ‘language’ that teens seem to find easy to relate to. I really enjoy working with teens!