Teens: Finding the light in the dark
You’re not alone.
But you might feel that way. Not only are you trying to manage the social expectations placed on you, but you’re also trying to get good grades, manage your friendships, and sometimes it all feels like too much.
There are probably times when you’ve felt this combination of grief, stress, frustration, and longing, but couldn’t quite find a way to express it. You’ve maybe even felt that the people in your life just don’t get it, so you keep it all in.
You want to fit in, but more than anything you want to belong, you want to feel self-assured and confident, and you want to know that who you are and what you want in life matters.
Wherever you’re at on your journey, I’m here for you and I’m committed to helping you feel seen, valued, and appreciated every step of the way.
There is always hope.
The way I see it: We all feel better when we have a place to actually express ourselves to someone we trust and feel safe with. When we keep things bottled up inside, it has this effect where we feel worse and we’re more likely to express ourselves in ways that hurt.
The work we’ll do together will give you a place to express your authenticity in ways that feel good and learn how to cope with the challenges that come with being a teen.
We’ll laugh together, make space for the hard stuff, and build tools that will help you thrive inside and out.
When we’re experiencing periods of darkness, there is always a part of us that is reaching toward the light, no matter how small of a sliver that may be. What if you and I could enhance that light so the dark doesn’t feel so big?
As Dumbledore once said, “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light”.
Therapeutic Orientation:
I provide an evidence-based, humanistic, and person-centered orientation. You will find that I also incorporate play therapy, life span integration, mindfulness techniques, attachment therapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), exposure & response prevention (ERP), and parts work (IFS) when needed.
Your safe space
You are looking for a space where you can express yourself without fear of judgment. In this fast paced world where it feels like the pressures are endless, you need to know that your feelings and experiences matter. Whether you’re feeling stressed out, grief, confusion, identity concerns, frustration, and challenges in your relationships, this is the place to let it all out.
Your experiences and feelings will be held with so much care, confidentiality, and actual understanding. We can navigate the pressures of school, relationships, and life together so you’re not alone in it. Therapy is an experience where you get to explore all that is swirling inside with a safe and grounding presence of another person.
I’m interested in your wellbeing which includes your emotional and social needs, your successes and pains, your identity, your dreams and ambitions, and your creativity. This is your safe space to explore and understand your evolving sense of self so that you can answer the question, “Who am I?”.
This work we’ll be doing together will empower you to discover your most authentic self and guide you toward a life that feels liberating!