Adolescents and those transitioning to early adulthood are at such a fascinating, yet complicated, and often overwhelming time in their lives. It can be a critical support to have someone help them navigate the tumultuous waters that push and pull you to become your own person while also needing to find a tribe of your own. Humans are interdependent - we need each other. But we also need to be independent, and that can be an anxious, scary, and frustrating time - especially when teens and caregivers are each going through different experiences of it! Teenagers and young adults today often carry the weight of adverse childhood experiences that they might not have had the words or comfort to communicate before, or are learning to shed their old skin and develop strong backbones, in a world that invites them to endless media-driven connection, often at the price of spending extended periods of time alone in their room. Others are overloaded with little downtime, often at the price of athletics, after-school-jobs, college-prep tutoring, and other extracurricular activities. Not to mention the stress of SCHOOL (I know, I work in one!)

 

Speaking of school, I work with children and pre-teens - from candyland to sex, drugs, & honor roll! I see many children and young adults who are riddled with anxiety, struggle with impulsivity, or managing their behaviors, and simply need help to understanding their own feelings and needs, acceptable ways to get them met, and appropriate reactions when things don't go their way. Therapy with children involves a lot of play (that's how they learn best!) but you'd be surprised the lessons and skills they take away from it. Parents and siblings can learn a lot too!

 

Lastly, we also know that young adults are transitioning to college with crippling rates of anxiety and depression. The transition from home can be overwhelming enough, and many young adults don't yet possess the coping skills for the increased demands placed on them in the outside-world. There are suddenly a whole host of new hurdles - academics, interpersonal, social scenes - and without the comfort of their old bedroom at home. Parents too, can struggle with how to simultaneously comfort yet encourage, and cheer on their young adult child. With recent emphasis on telehealth, it's a nice way to continue working through the college transition while still being able to stay on campus! 

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What to Expect:

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In order to authorize mental health treatment for your child, you must have either sole or joint legal custody of your child. If you are separated or divorced from the other parent of your child, please notify me immediately. I will ask you to provide me with a copy of the most recent custody decree that establishes custody rights of you and the other parent or otherwise demonstrates that you have the right to authorize treatment for your child.

 

If you are separated or divorced from the child’s other parent, please be aware that it is my policy to notify the other parent that I am meeting with your child. I believe it is important that all parents have the right to know that their child is receiving mental health evaluation or treatment, unless there are truly exceptional circumstances.

 

In the course of my treatment of your child, I may meet with the you (the child’s parents/guardians) either separately or together. Please be aware, however, that, at all times, my patient is your child – not the parents/guardians nor any siblings or other family members of the child. Given that most children and teens enter therapy at the request or recommendation of adults in their lives, it's important for them to feel they have their own space, their own therapeutic relationship, and especially for those transitioning to young adulthood- a sense of privacy and autonomy as they learn about themselves and taking ownership of their thoughts, feelings, and actions. 

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Evaluation

 

Our first few sessions will involve an evaluation of your child’s needs. By the end of the evaluation, I will be able to offer you my clinical impressions and a recommended approach to treatment. During this time, it is important that we both consider whether I am the best person to provide the treatment and services that you are seeking for your family and that fits your needs and goals. If indicated, I will do my best to give you referrals to other providers better suited to your family’s needs and goals.   

 

Sessions

Following the evaluation and mutual decision to begin treatment, I will typically meet with your child on a regular basis (usually weekly). Sessions are 50 minutes in length. 

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Fee: $150 weekdays; $175 Saturday appointments 

Sliding Scale: Available / Blue Cross Blue Shield Accepted

​Superbills can also be provided at your request for submission to out-of-network reimbursement.