LOVELY MINDS COUNSELING

Therapy for Teens

IN DENVER, COLORADO & ONLINE ACROSS FLORIDA

Hi there… we are going to therapy and finding ourselves

School responsibilities, social life, keeping your head above the drama, peer pressures, family expectations, figuring out your emotions and beliefs, and on top of all that…being expected to keep it all together. Being a teen is overwhelming!

Teens... I see you. I hear you. I am here for you.

You feel this intense pressure to do things perfectly, to be the smartest in class, to try to fit in, to think about your future, take exams, do chores, be there for your friends, or participate in sports and clubs. Usually, you are able to juggle most of these things.

But lately, you do not feel like yourself. You are keeping secrets that you desperately want to share. You feel lost in the waves of emotions and negative thoughts. You are doing things that you never thought you would. You are trying to stay afloat but you feel that your world has turned upside down.

Maybe something happened recently or long ago... and you feel unsure about sharing it. You wonder if anyone would believe you or even understand what has happened. Maybe someone is bullying you and you feel so low about yourself. Maybe stuff is happening at home and you can't wrap your head around it. Or maybe, you just really want to talk to someone...who is not family.

Therapy is a place for YOU. Not your parents, not your peers, not your teachers. I am not here to tell you how to feel, think, or what you should be doing. Therapy is a safe space where you can share your inner voice... without judgement.

Parents... hang in there... you are doing great

You have noticed that your teen has been acting so differently lately, like they are a stranger in your own home. You try to talk to them, but it's like talking to a wall, or maybe they came to you and shared something so heartbreaking that you feel so lost and confused on how to navigate it and help them. You start to question everything (including yourself) and ultimately you are hurting too.

Maybe you want some guidance. Maybe you need some reassurance. Or maybe, you just want your teen to have someone to talk to.

A significant event might have happened, you noticed marks on the body, negative self talk, or increasing amounts of anxiety have become present. Maybe you noticed that they are withdrawing into a shadow of themselves and you are unsure how to help.

Overall, you just want to make sure your teen is okay. Seeing your teen suffering, it hurts. This is where I come in...I am here for them (and you). To hold space, to provide guidance into their thoughts and emotions, to help them navigate with the struggles they may be going through, and to provide reassurance for you.

Teen trauma can take many forms and are displayed in a wide range of symptoms.

  • child abuse

    bullying

    sexual exploitation

    sexual abuse or assault

    cyber-bullying

    family conflict in the home

    witnessing violence

    identity discrimination

    emotional distress

    neglect

    traumatic loss or grief

    medical trauma

    accidents

    school shootings

  • Showing strong emotions

    Fear that something bad is going to happen

    Highly irritable or agitated

    Withdrawing from people close to them

    Difficultly sleeping

    Wanting to spend more time alone

    Being very protective or attached

    Emotionally and behaviorally regressing

    Loss of interest in activities

    Pessimistic outlook on life

    Difficulty concentrating or completing tasks

    Physical health concerns

    Decrease in appetite

    Self harm behaviors

    School issues

Ready to take the next step?

FAQ’s on Therapy for Teens

  • At the beginning of each session, I aim to check in with parents (together with the teen or privately) about what they have been noticing with their teens and share any concerns, accomplishments, or growth. This allows for parents to be a part of the sessions, without it becoming a family therapy session (which lets be real, most teens avoid like the plague). The rest of the time is focused on individual therapy with the teen.

    If family therapy is needed, I can always provide referrals for some amazing family therapists who are in my network.

  • This really depends on the goals they are looking to work towards! Some teens really prefer to just have a space where they can share their worries, talk about what is happening in their lives and struggles they are navigating. Other teens have come to therapy to process trauma that they have experienced, which leads to a different approach.

    Regardless of the concerns leading to therapy, my overall goal is for them to truly have a space where they feel seen and heard!

  • Therapy only works, if the teen feels safe and has trust with the therapist. A huge part of trust in the therapy space for teens, is that what they share does not leave the session. I know, it is extremely difficult to not be aware of what is going on. If certain issues arise, I encourage teens to share and communicate with family. Ultimately, this is a space for them.

  • This is where I am fully transparent with my teens clients and parents. If safety concerns are present I will be communicating with both the teen and parents. This means that if a teen shares with me that they are self harming (in any way) or are having thoughts of suicide with plans and/or intent, I will be involving parents in the therapy space.

    Additionally, if a teen shares with me that they are being abused or neglected, I am legally mandated to report. If you have any concerns or questions on what this means, please reach out and I would be glad to share more information on mandatory reporting for children, elderly, and disabled individuals.

  • It can be extremely disheartening to see your teen hurting and then refusing to accept the help they need. Sometimes, the last thing the teen may want to do is go talk to a stranger, completely understandable. I encourage parents to have a conversation with their teen about trying therapy for a couple sessions, and if it doesn't work then they can always try again another time. As much as you want them to go to therapy, if they are not ready to do it, it will cause much more harm to be forced to go.​

    With all my teens, I focus on building a relationship with them in the therapy space. Though I understand that parents want their teens to immediately talk about what is wrong, the best place to start is building a connection.

  • Schedule your free 15 minute phone consultation! This is a chance for us both get to know one another and see if we are a good fit based on your therapy needs. Additionally, a time for myself to help answer any questions you may have about therapy or expectations.