Adolescents
& Young Adults
Adolescents
Who am I, and Where am I Going?
We know that adolescence is a time of enormous change in multiple ways, whether it be physically, emotionally or socially. Often, teenagers don’t have the words to describe how they may be feeling, or they may not feel comfortable expressing the issues for which they may be grappling. Even when they are surrounded by a close support system and have people who care about them, they frequently feel misunderstood and alone in their struggles.
When the Future Feels Overwhelming
If you are the parent or caretaker of an adolescent, I understand how difficult it may be to see changes in their behavior or mood, or to notice that they are having a hard time at school when they previously seemed to be well adjusted. Adolescents are learning how to grow and to transition to adulthood, and that often leaves them feeling overwhelmed. It is very hard to manage big emotions without the right coping strategies, which can make them feel stuck.
Some of the difficulties that I often address with adolescents are the obstacles they face when navigating friendships, managing the pressures of school and college preparation, and issues that may be going on within the family. Some of the major concerns that I help teens traverse are low self-esteem, identity concerns, conflict, stress, anger, suicidal ideation, trauma, anxiety and panic attacks and grief.
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My goal is to provide a space for adolescents to feel less alone, and to be able to express themselves without fear of judgement. I don’t want them to feel that therapy is another place where they feel misunderstood. I listen closely to what they are saying, and my approach always entails empathy and compassion for what they are experiencing.
Young Adults
You are a work in progress
The years between finishing high school, becoming an adult, and moving through early adulthood, can be both exciting and very challenging. You are gaining independence and adding more responsibilities to your plate, while also managing relationship and family changes. It is normal to feel unsure and confused about your future, as you try to make sense of everything that is happening. The burden of enormous pressures and expectations, from yourself and from other people, can be overwhelming. It can feel like a constant balancing act that leaves you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, lonely and even disconnected.
Figuring out who you are
and what you want
Your 20s and 30s, and sometimes into your 40s, can be a period of time that is filled with a mix of growth and self doubt. Even when you have a clear idea of the path you are taking, and even when you have a good support system, you may find that you are comparing your life with friends and people your age. There are usually moments of progress that give you confidence and allow you to feel grounded, and other moments that can leave you questioning your choices and feeling less hopeful and unmotivated. You are trying to understand who you are, what you want, and where you belong. Sometimes you may forget that you aren’t supposed to have it all figured out yet.
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Therapy is a place for you to take a breath, reflect on what you are going through, and have a confidential spot to be honest about what you’ve been feeling. We will work to understand what is really going on for you, and I will help you identify patterns that are causing you distress. I’ll help you learn new ways of managing anxiety and stress, and assist you in developing tools that you can use outside of our sessions.
Dating and Finding Connection
Dating can be painful and discouraging. You may be looking for love or seeking some kind of deeper connection, but you find yourself feeling anxious, guarded, or unsure of where to begin. Dating apps are now the most popular way to meet a partner, but they can be frustrating and disappointing. The endless swiping, the ghosting, and the superficial conversations can leave you feeling rejected, or you may be losing hope that finding someone is even possible.
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If you’ve been afraid to date or you haven’t had much experience with relationships, I promise that you are not alone. I have worked with many people in their 20s, 30s and even 40s, who have not yet had intimacy or relationships, and they don’t know where to start. We will start with exploring your fears of being vulnerable and of getting hurt.
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We will search for the self criticism and inner voices that are causing you to feel intimidated, and we’ll reframe your thought patterns that are telling you that you’re not good enough My goal is for you to see dating as less threatening. I can help you build your self-esteem and shift your perspective. Dating is less overwhelming and confusing when it feels more like a process of self discovery, and a way to understand yourself better.
Your next relationship can feel different
Even if you’ve had a relationship or multiple relationships, your past negative experiences may be dictating how you currently approach dating. You may be worried that you’ll never find that one person who understands you, or you’re fearful of getting hurt again.
We will explore why you are drawn to certain types of people, understand your insecurities, and figure out the impediments that stop you from having a healthy relationship. You deserve to be in a relationship where you feel safe and can fully be yourself. We can make sense of what has happened in the past so you don’t feel stuck in the same type of situations.
“Think I forgot how to be happy
Somethin’ I’m not
But somethin’ I can be”