Adolescents negotiating the transition from childhood to adulthood. 

Adolescence is a vitally important time in the transition from childhood to adulthood. It's the stage when teens begin to think more critically about themselves and the world around them. This can be an especially trying time for both teens and their families. Teens need a safe place to talk things over with a trusted adult, so they can speak freely without shame and without concern that they will hurt their parent or caregiver. Healthy adolescent development depends on youth feeling supported, respected and trusted. My approach to counseling with teens and their families is strengths-based and affirming to both the teen and their parents. I am skilled at working with teens and their families around issues of depression, anxiety, self-esteem and self-destructive or unhealthy behaviors. Families often need support navigating the teen years as well. It can be hard for parents and caregivers to adjust to the changes their teen is going through. It can be challenging to be supportive while setting appropriate boundaries and limits.    Family counseling can help teens and their caregivers develop a closer, more connected relationship and overcome communication difficulties. Counseling for teens can help them express themselves more effectively to their parents and help teens advocate more appropriately for their own needs.

I usually work with both teens and their families together at the very beginning of counseling, so that I can get the best picture of the issues from everyone's point of view, especially the teen's. Once this is done, and in consultation with the teen and their family, I determine the next stage of the treatment process, which is often individual work between the teen and myself. The rest of the counseling is usually some combination of individual work and some family meetings that are usually focused around issues of communication, as well as goals and values discussions. This stage of the process is determined in collaboration with the teen and the family.