Adolescents
"How are you tending to the emerging story of your life?" Carol Hegedus and Frances Vaughan
My work with adolescents centers on developing a positive alliance in which the youth can safely talk through the challenges they are facing. Because of my extensive history working with clients mandated to therapy, I have a powerful understanding of the distrust youth feel toward adults and the reluctance to participate in a healthy therapeutic relationship. I have consistent success developing positive connections with teenagers and young adults, in which they feel safety and trust. I use a great deal of humor and popular culture to connect with these clients, and then work to understand their perspectives. My therapy with teenagers utilizes Mindfulness, Psychodynamic approaches, Cognitive therapy, Reality therapy and Family Systems work, as appropriate. My specialties with teenagers and young adults are in depression, anxiety, conduct disorders, relational problems,grief and loss, developmental challenges, and post-traumatic stress disorders. I typically see adolescents once or twice per week, depending on the youth’s needs.