Teens and Young Adults
Therapy for Teens in Austin
Growing up now means carrying pressure from school, sport, screens and home, sometimes all at once. I work with a mature 10 and up, and with young adults, in a room that belongs to them while parents stay appropriately informed.
Who this is for: a mature 10 and up
I work with a mature 10 and up, through the teenage years and on into young adulthood. I bring in some written and art activities, but my style is mostly talk therapy, so maturity matters more than a birthday, especially with younger kids and tweens. If you are not sure whether your child is ready to talk in this way, the free 15-minute consultation is the place to think it through together. You know your child, and we can decide whether individual sessions, family therapy or a mix of both makes the most sense.
What teens and tweens bring in
Some struggles are easy to see, like grades slipping or a bedroom door that stays closed more than it used to. Others hide under good behavior and high achievement. What these struggles often share is pressure, and a young person trying to figure out who they are underneath everyone's expectations. In our sessions we work on what is happening now while helping them discover their own values and start toward the future they actually want. Some concerns have their own pages, like social anxiety, perfectionism and, for young athletes, performance anxiety. What you might be noticing:
- Pressure from school, sport and social media
- Anxiety, worry or panic
- Pulling away from family or friends
- Perfectionism and a fear of failing
- Body image and comparison
- Not knowing who they are or what they value
A room that is genuinely theirs
I keep parents appropriately informed about how the work is going, while protecting the teen's sense that the room is genuinely theirs. A young person who suspects every word goes straight home has every reason to stay quiet. So we agree on how this works up front, together: what parents can expect to hear, what stays between the teen and me, and what would always be shared. That way everyone knows the arrangement from the first session, and trust has room to grow.
Safety first, within your family's values
Safety will always be my first priority. Beyond that, I respect that you are the parent. I want your child to live their best, wisest and safest life within your parenting or faith value system, not mine. If your family's faith matters to you, it is welcome in the work. If faith is not part of your family's life, it stays out. Either way it is never assumed or introduced without your say-so, and your teen will not be steered toward or away from belief.
If you are the teen reading this
Maybe a parent sent you this page, or maybe you found it yourself. Either way, you do not have to know what to say, and you do not have to tell me everything on the first day. You can say no to a topic and nothing bad happens. We can talk, write, draw, or simply start with whatever was hardest this week. This is your time to figure out what you think, what you value and who you want to be, without anyone grading the answer.
When the whole family needs room
Sometimes the most helpful change for a teen happens in the system around them. As a marriage and family therapist, I look at the relationships surrounding a problem, not only the person carrying it. Family sessions are $275 for 80 minutes, and parents can borrow ideas from the Incredible Years parenting approach, like clearer boundaries and a response you can use in the next hard moment. When a pattern needs more room than a weekly hour, family therapy intensives offer 4 hours for $800 or 6 hours, with a 30 to 60 minute lunch break, for $1,250.
Taking the first step
Reaching out is the first step, and a few sentences are enough. On the free 15-minute consultation we talk through what is going on, whether individual or family sessions fit, and scheduling. In-person sessions are at my Southwest Austin office on Fridays and some select other times and days as schedules allow, and telehealth works anywhere in Texas while your teen is located in Texas. Individual sessions are $190 for 50 minutes or $275 for 80 minutes, after an 80-minute initial assessment at $275.
Common Questions
What ages do you work with?
I work with a mature 10 and up, and with young adults. My style is mostly talk therapy with some written and art activities, so maturity matters, especially with younger kids and tweens.
Will I know what my teen talks about in sessions?
I keep parents appropriately informed about how the work is going while protecting the teen's sense that the room is genuinely theirs. We agree on how that works up front, and safety will always be my first priority.
Will you respect our family's faith?
Yes. I want your child to live their best, wisest and safest life within your parenting or faith value system. Faith is never assumed or introduced without your say-so.
Can my teen do sessions by telehealth?
Yes. Telehealth by secure video is available anywhere in Texas, and your teen should be located in Texas during each session. In-person sessions are at the Southwest Austin office on Fridays and some select other times and days.
The consultation is free and there is no obligation on either side.
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