Therapy for Teens in Los Gatos, Santa Cruz, Capitola and Scotts Valley
We specialize in helping teens with:
Anxiety + Worries
Depression
Stress + Overwhelm
School Pressure + Academic Performance
Friendships + Social Skills
Grief + Loss
Trauma
Family Transitions
Why teen counseling?
Let’s face it, teenagers can be tough to understand, talk to, and relate with, which means that this time of change and transition not only affects them, but it affects you too. Between peer pressure, identity development, mood swings, academic demands, friend drama, stress and relationship and intimacy issues, it can only be expected that challenges and struggles sometimes exist in this stage of development.
How can a teen therapist help?
Teen therapy offers many different benefits. For starters, meeting with a patient and understanding TherapyWorks teen therapist not only provides your teen the opportunity to express him or herself in a safe and confidential environment, but it can also help them make better sense of their current struggles. It provides your teen or tween the chance to identify unhealthy choices and make positive decisions instead. Furthermore, teen counseling sessions encourages better self-understanding and generally results in improved relationships with friends, family, and everyone else important to your teen’s happiness.
What can I do to increase my teen’s success with teen therapy?
Parents play a vital role in the success and outcome of teen therapy. Meeting regularly with you during your teen’s treatment gives us an opportunity to talk about the progress being made and helps us create a more effective plan moving forward. Often, parent coaching is advised to help you understand how to best support and guide your teen outside of the therapy sessions. In addition, family therapy may be a valuable component that can enhance your teen’s counseling experience.
How can I introduce my teen to the idea of therapy?
Some teens may be hesitant about talking to a therapist or coming in to therapy all together. Don’t worry; this can be expected. However, helping your teen better understand the process and the many benefits of talking with a counselor can definitely help. In general, providing an explanation that is concrete, positive, and not overly detailed can be helpful. Additionally, you may wish to describe the therapist as an expert in helping teens feel better and be happier day to day. If you are having concerns about getting your teen to come in for their first appointment, please let us know. We can give you specific pointers on how to make your teen more comfortable based on his or her individual situation.
Who may benefit from teen therapy?
There are many issues and situations that our trusted and highly recommended teen therapists can help resolve. These include:
- Abuse, whether emotional, physical or sexual
- Academic challenges or declining school performance
- ADHD, poor concentration or trouble focusing
- Adjusting to changes, such as the birth of a sibling, adoption or relocation
- Anger management
- Anxiety, excessive worrying or unexplained fears
- Behavioral concerns or acting out behaviors
- Body image issues or eating disorders
- Bullying
- College and career selection decisions and transition
- Dealing with crisis situations
- Depression, sadness, hopeless feelings or excessive crying
- Family conflict, such as separation, divorce or blended family issues
- Grief and loss
- Identity development
- Illness
- Learning difficulties
- Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning issues
- Life transitions
- Personal growth
- Relationship concerns
- Self-esteem
- Sexuality and intimacy
- Social skills, relationship struggles, isolation or friendship issues
- Stress or overwhelm
- Suicidal thoughts or tendencies
- Trauma