Adolescence:  the time in life when one is neither a child nor an adult.  It's a time when one often feels like it's a challenge to be relaxed and comfortable with yourself even when things are going well...and nearly impossible when things are going wrong in life.  Adolescents are especially vulnerable to stressful life events and circumstances.  In so many ways, the thoughts and feelings of an adolescent will seem adult - like.  In so many other ways, an adolescent is lacking in experience and maturity that would help them resolve conflicts more peacefully and make choices that will help them reach personal goals for adult life.  Therapy can be very helpful at this time of life.

Therapy with adolescents is different from therapy with younger children or adults.  Adolescents require a high level of privacy before being able to fully trust a therapist.  This need for privacy must be carefully balanced with the parent's need to continue protecting and nurturing the adolescent child.

I have a strong commitment to helping adolescents develop healthy coping skills and effective problem solving skills.  I encourage adolescents to take personal responsibility for all of the choices they make in life and I encourage parents of adolescents to allow a safe level of autonomy so that those choices can be appropriately exercised.

Some of the issues I help adolescents with include:

     Anxiety and Depression

     Substance Abuse

     Healthy Self Esteem

     Mature and Responsible Decision Making

     School Avoidance and Academic Underachievement

     Abuse and Neglect Issues, Child Sexual Abuse

     Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

     Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (Asperger's)

     Anger and Behavior Management

     Adjustment to Divorce and Blending Families