“ “What kept me sane was knowing that things would change, and it was a question of keeping myself together until they did.
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To teens: Being a teenager can have a lot of emotional ups and downs. These emotions were complicated by the pandemic and the isolation of Distance Learning. Figuring out friend drama and families, social media and school, college apps and career choices can seem overwhelming. And, if you are struggling with anxiety or depression, it can seem even more stressful. Most adolescents feel pressured by worries at some time in their high school lives (about their future, their friends, their families, etc.), and at the same time, it's not always easy to talk to your folks or your friends. I'll be honest, I didn't much like being a teenager myself. I DO like doing therapy with teens though! If you are feeling some anxiety or depression, or have some big feelings that don't feel manageable, or are feeling down and lonely, let’s work together to get you through this.
To parents: Adolescents are some of my favorite people in the whole wide world. As well as facing many challenges as they grow into young adults, they themselves can be challenging to be with, for sure. This is exacerbated, for many teenagers, by the circumstances surrounding the pandemic. Still, I deeply appreciate their spirit and their searching to find themselves and who they are in the world of their families, school, peer groups, and lives in general. I even enjoy and their push-pull relationship with drama. My first career was as a teacher in high school, and I spent two years of my internship working as a therapist in a high school here in the Bay Area. The enjoyment and satisfaction I feel from accompanying adolescents as they face the challenges of maturation continues!
In order to provide the very best therapy for your young person, I will refer you to a separate clinician if it seems family therapy sessions might be warranted.