Teen Issues

Being a teen is HARD. Period. There are so many different issues that can pop up throughout these vital years and sometimes we just need to talk about it with someone, figure out what the next steps are, and start to move forward!

Teens currently have a unique combination of social/emotional/academic stressors, issues related to technology and social media, and a lack of typical development due to the pandemic. This has resulted in a tremendous uptick in teens accessing mental health services, often due to stated anxiety and stress and often including issues of depression and/or safety. Our clinicians are well-versed in these issues and strive to support teens while maintaining a balance with parental involvement.

Helping with peer issues, Trauma, Depression and Stress Management

One of the most difficult stages of life can be adolescents. Creating a safe place to share with unconditional positive regard and a focus on healthy living habits, communication skills and an increase in self esteem, allowing for connection and increased appropriate peer connection and academic success, can aid in this life transition. CBT/ DBT are most commonly use to support our adolescents.

Adolescence is such a time of transition! For many, this transition results in anxiety, questioning of identity, and maybe a few mistakes. I have years of expertise helping teens to turn this time into an exciting exploration and expression of who they are becoming. Whether there have been concerns about drugs or alcohol use, sexual experimentation or pregnancy, or skipping school, I am confident that I can help both your teen, and yes, you, too, moms and dads!

I have a specialization in children/teens. One of my strengths is building trust and rapport with teens, which allows the therapy process to unfold.

Can parents support their teenagers as they prepare to take responsibility for themselves, make their own decisions, and prepare for life as a young adult?

From struggles with confidence and the pressures of success in school, sports, and home to social media and technology; teens are surrounded by a world sending them confusing messages causing anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, stress and more.

I have been working with adolescents since 2012. In The Child Mind Institute’s recent 2021 report: it was found that “55% of children felt more “sad, depressed or unhappy,” versus 25% of adults.” Additionally, “teens surveyed said that the pandemic had impacted their mental health in some way, with 37% saying it had made their mental health worse.” “But there is good news, too: 42% of teens overall say that the pandemic has increased the number of conversations they have around mental health.”

In addition to experience working as a high school counselor, I have been seeing teens in my practice for 20 years. I have parented two teens (very different from one another) and my personal experience has given me a depth of understanding, compassion and humility that my clients find comforting and real.

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.

Most of my career has been working with youth in foster care, mentoring, and in residential placements for youth who have been adjudicated and are on probation or parole. I am experienced working with youth with behavioral struggles, figuring out their identity, dealing with substance abuse, legal problems, or emerging mental health disorders. The clients I've worked with have expected me to be someone they can relate to as well, and I am goofy, a gamer, sometimes inappropriate and patient.

From the moment I got into this field I knew I wanted to work with adolescents as they bring a unique energy and perspective to the therapeutic process which I enjoy tremendously. Adolescents also have distinctive issues they need help with and after 26 years of working with this population, I feel I have a special skillset to help them work through those while feeling supported and encouraged.

Kristen works with adolescent and young adults on issues of peer pressure, identity, self image, self worth, transitions, and work/ school stressors.

Adolescence is a time of growth and independence. I love working with this population because of their resiliency. At times, developmental stressors can emerge into poor adaptive skills. With a safe space to process and make connections, growth and positive adaptive skills emerge.

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

I have 10 years of working with children ages 11-18. I have 5 years of experience as a school-based counselor in middle school working with children with recent ADHD diagnoses, gender and sexual identity support, parenting adolescents, transitioning to middle school, peer/social conflict, depression, and anxiety.

Maggie has experience working with teens, successfully building relationship and trust. She is excellent with validating and gaining traction with struggling teens!