Teens are the future builders-that’s important to me.

I have the pleasure to work with teens quite a bit. I really enjoy them! Teenage years are the very essence of change – During this time period, there’s little about them that is not changing and, while these times can be thrilling and exciting, they are often very confusing and overwhelming. Teens are faced with shifting social norms, values, responsibilities, rapidly developing brains, and hormones, all at once. It often seems that every time they figure out and categorize a part of their life, it has changed again. Teens years have the potential to be a rich and fulfilling period, and can also be very difficult with higher rates of anxiety, depression, destructive behaviors, and suicidal thoughts.

Teenagers talk with me a lot about their growing sense of hopelessness with the current state of the world. And it is very clear to me that many increasingly turn to drugs and alcohol and increased social media in order to numb this anxiety and worry. Teens and young adults are the next builders of societies. It is of tremendous importance to support them find their own unique best possible paths.

As well as exploring their personal narrative and life story, I create space for processing their views and ideas, and build solution minded approaches so that they have clear ways in which they can participate in the solutions with which to face these times. Part of staying engaged with creating hope for their future is in exploring their possible contribution to social change movements, and thinking of career choices that speak to them deeply, rather than choices that may fit “the mold”. These times call for our teens to be part of the solution to world affairs. 

As with other age group I work with, therapy with teens include supporting them figure out how they function psychologically, and make the best of it. I emphasize the value and self care inherent in having deep satisfying relationships with their peers, and adults they trust. I aim to support and encourage teens' growing sense of independence. We do this a number of ways; the clarification of cause and effect evidenced by their past and present choices, and what this means for their future. I see every day how much teens benefit from Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and incorporate those in the therapy. Self/emotional regulation skills are a must for them to learn and practice! They’ll have a safe environment to explore the world of options available to them, and learn to truly step into their identity with confidence and compassion for self and others, regardless of the challenges they face, be it a learning disability, anxiety/depression, sensory-integration issues, or trauma.

Areas of Expertise

Treatment Modalities: Attachment, Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP), Solution-Focused, CBT, CBiT, Mindfulness.

I have received specialized training at UCLA’s Child OCD, Anxiety, and Tic Disorders Program Clinic, in conjunction with the Tourette Syndrome Behavior Institute for working with individuals who experience Tics Disorders and Tourette’s. https://tourette.org/research-medical/cbit-overview/

A solution-focused approach is often more direct than other forms of therapy and is focused in creating solutions “in the moment” and is also future-based. It complements Attachment Focused therapies that are more in depth and psychodynamic in nature. Cognitive Behavioral, Exposure with Response Prevention, and Mindfulness practices are taught to children to support them learn coping skills and build empowerment over their struggles. These practices address nervous system dysregulation, which often surfaces with symptoms of anxiety such as OCD, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and ADD/ADHD. Children who adopt these practices early find themselves better equipped to deal with obstacles and struggles with the future, and gain a solid foundation with which to face the daily challenges found in various social situations.

OCD treatment more info;

ERP https://iocdf.org/about-ocd/ocd-treatment/

Mindfulness and CBT; https://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/mindfulness-and-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-for-ocd/