Adolescent Therapy

Each of our practitioners holds a Master's degree in their respective fields and is fully licensed in the state of Georgia. With extensive training and experience in child and adolescent therapy, we are equipped to address a wide range of issues that adolescents commonly face, including emotional challenges, body image concerns, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and behavioral difficulties.

Our team has many years of experience working with adolescents in individual therapy settings. We understand the unique developmental stage of adolescence and tailor our approach to meet the specific needs of young people. We use evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Play Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy to support adolescents in managing their emotions, improving their coping skills, and building a strong sense of self.

Additionally, our team is skilled in engaging adolescents in a way that fosters trust and open communication, creating a safe and supportive environment where they feel heard and understood. We also collaborate closely with parents, providing guidance on how to support their child's growth and well-being outside of therapy.

With our professional qualifications and years of experience working with adolescents, we are committed to providing your child with the tools and support they need to navigate the challenges of adolescence and build a positive future.

Involving parents in the therapy process is a crucial part of supporting your adolescent’s growth and well-being. While we respect your child’s privacy and autonomy, we believe that collaboration with parents is essential for achieving the best outcomes.

Throughout the therapy process, we will keep you informed about your adolescent’s progress and goals, while balancing your child’s need for confidentiality. We will regularly check in with you to provide updates on your child’s development and any adjustments needed in the therapy plan. We may also share strategies and tools that you can use at home to support your child’s goals and reinforce the work being done in therapy.

Together, we can create a supportive environment both in therapy and at home that fosters your adolescent's emotional growth and resilience.

We primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Therapy in our work with adolescents. Both of these approaches are well-supported by research and have proven to be highly effective in addressing a range of adolescent challenges, including anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, and self-esteem concerns.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps adolescents identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that may contribute to emotional distress. By teaching practical skills like cognitive restructuring and problem-solving, CBT empowers adolescents to understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and actions, and to develop healthier coping mechanisms. It is particularly effective for treating anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, and helps teens build resilience and emotional regulation.

Solution-Focused Therapy is a strengths-based approach that focuses on finding solutions rather than dwelling on problems. This therapy helps adolescents identify their strengths, set clear and achievable goals, and develop actionable steps to address their challenges. Solution-Focused Therapy is especially effective for building self-confidence, improving motivation, and helping teens feel empowered to take control of their own growth and change.

Both of these therapies are evidence-based and have shown to produce lasting, positive results in adolescent therapy. Our goal is to tailor these approaches to your adolescent's specific needs, helping them build practical tools and coping strategies to thrive in their daily life.

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the therapy process, and we take it very seriously, especially when working with teenagers. We understand that adolescents are at a developmental stage where privacy is particularly important, and we strive to create a safe space where they feel comfortable being open and honest.

At the beginning of therapy, we explain the limits of confidentiality to both the adolescent and their parents. This includes emphasizing that, with a few important exceptions (such as situations where there is risk of harm to the adolescent or others), everything discussed in sessions will remain private. We will always make it clear when there are legal or ethical reasons that would require us to share information.

We also make sure to involve parents in the process while respecting their teen’s privacy. We will provide regular updates on general progress, goals, and any significant changes, but the specifics of what your teen shares in therapy will remain confidential unless your child gives permission for us to share more details. We believe in maintaining an open line of communication with parents while also honoring the teen’s need for independence and privacy as they work through their challenges.

Our goal is to ensure that your adolescent feels heard, respected, and safe, allowing them to fully engage in therapy while also involving you in a way that fosters support and understanding at home.

The duration of therapy for adolescents can vary depending on your child’s individual needs and the challenges they are facing. In general, therapy may last anywhere from a few months to longer, depending on the progress your adolescent makes and the goals we set together. Typically, we start with weekly or biweekly sessions and adjust the frequency as necessary, based on your teen’s evolving needs.

The goals of therapy are personalized to address your adolescent's unique situation, but they typically focus on helping them develop healthier coping strategies, improve emotional regulation, and build better self-esteem and resilience. Common goals for adolescent therapy might include:

• Improving self-esteem and body image

• Managing anxiety, depression, or stress

• Building better communication and problem-solving skills

• Developing healthy coping mechanisms for emotions and behaviors

• Increasing emotional regulation and reducing impulsivity

• Navigating social and family relationships more effectively

Throughout the therapy process, we will continuously assess progress toward these goals and adjust the treatment plan as needed. The ultimate aim is to empower your adolescent with the tools and skills to handle life’s challenges independently, build stronger relationships, and feel more confident and in control of their emotional well-being.

We believe in working collaboratively with both you and your adolescent to ensure that therapy is moving in the right direction and achieving the desired outcomes.