Teen Issues

I have worked with adolescents for close to 10 years and have found that my training, experience, and personality is a natural fit in working with youth with a variety of concerns. I have experience working with youth with anxiety; depression; self-injury, selective mutism, school avoidance, substance use and abuse; trauma; grief and loss; defiance; and anger management concerns.

I've worked with children for almost a decade across various identities. As a school counselor by trade, most of my days are filled with teens who are needing more support. I recognized a critical need for more therapists specializing in this age group and decided to start my own practice. I have worked with children on various issues from anxiety to depression with suicidal ideation. I nurture trusting relationships that don't feel overwhelming or scary.

Adolescence is a time of life with tremendous physical and psychological growth. It comes with amazing leaps and bounds, as well as struggles and challenges. I am honored to sit with my teen clients as they let me into their worlds, and together we help navigate the trying times and celebrate the wins.

The intensity of navigating life during the teen & young adult years can overwhelm a highly sensitive young person's ability to manage and cope. Mood support and learning effective stress coping skills and positive life-management techniques can make an incredibly stressful time period much easier and for a young person.

Teens today struggle with confidence and the pressures of success in school, sports, and home to balancing social media, technology and life. They are surrounded by a world sending them confusing messages causing anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, stress and more. Sessions with preteens and teens are fun, interactive, and challenging to help them discover who they are and who they want to become.

I have worked with adolescents in various settings including residential treatment, IOP/PHP, and high-school campuses. Together we can navigate the teenage years and help you envision the life you want. You are at a stage where so much is changing, yet you are still treated like a kid at times. This can be frustrating and it can help to have someone to talk to while you discover the ups and downs of your teenage years.

Teens need just the right fit when it comes to working with a therapist. They need someone who can make them feel comfortable enough to open up while also challenging them at a level that helps them to grow. We have therapists who work with adolescents struggling with a variety of issues such as social anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, addiction, self-harm, suicide, or just difficulty navigating everyday stressors.

Adolescents often feel unheard and unloved, my goal for adolescents is to help identify triggers. To help adolescents build and maintain positive relationships, self-esteem through positive psychology and understanding. My clients will obtain skills and tools that will help the deal with day to day challenges.

Not only did I struggle at a teenager growing up here in the USA, but I have 3 years experience working with adolescents and their parents to help young people feel more confident about themselves, improve performance levels at school, and develop meaningful goals. Working with adolescents is one of my favorite groups of people to work with.

I struggled myself as an adolescent, that's why I'm a therapist. I believe that adolescents need a safe place to land to discuss their feelings without judgement. I offer a space of empathy and validation to them as we work on healthy coping methods.

I think the teen years are such a great time in life. The struggles involved aren't lost on me, but a teen is a person explosively expanding in their ability to explore, think critically, and relate. There's so much for them to gain from a safe and confidential space where they can unpack and explore with an adult who isn't an extra parent, or even an authority figure, but a partner and guide in the journey of beginning to discover what they want out of life.

Adolescent Issues (ages 14+) - I understand the unique needs and struggles that adolescents face as they transition into young adulthood. Through specializing in adolescent therapy, I provide a safe and supportive environment where teenagers can explore their emotions, build resilience, and develop the necessary skills to thrive during this critical phase of life.

Kristen supports adolescent experiencing issues with academic performance and pressure (getting into college, school programs and achievements), relationship difficulties, peer pressure (to engage in substance, alcohol use, and sexual activity), bullying/ cyberbullying, identity exploration, LGBTQ+, stress management, anxiety and depression.

I strive to offer an open and nurturing environment where children and teens can feel safe and embraced for being exactly who they are. Whether your child is dealing with school or sport performance, friendship conflicts, identity concerns, or anxiety, I aim to offer lifelong emotional resilience and coping skills to encourage a sense of empowerment, self-trust, and confidence.

I have specialized training and experience in working with youth. I started my career in School Counseling and have worked in both a middle school and high school setting. I am well versed in the issues facing youth today.

Relationships Bullying Self-Esteem Trauma Anxiety Depression ADHD Developmental Concerns Peer Relationships

My approach to treating teens combines empathy and evidence-based techniques. I create a safe, non-judgmental space for them to express themselves. By engaging with their unique perspectives, I tailor therapeutic strategies to help adolescents navigate the challenges of youth and foster personal growth.