Counseling and Therapy for Teens + Tweens
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
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.
Why teen counseling?
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.
How can a teen therapist help?
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.
What can I do to increase my teen’s success with teen 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
How can I introduce my teen to the idea of 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
With three convenient locations in Los Gatos, Capitola, and Scotts Valley, we easily provide in-person and online virtual therapy for teens in our neighboring communities throughout the Bay Area, including Campbell, Saratoga, San Jose, Santa Cruz, Soquel and Aptos.