Teens

Treatment for Anxiety & Stress and Depression

Young teens sitting on a ledge looking over an ocean

In the ten years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, symptoms of depression increased 40% among young people (CDC).  COVID-19 has exacerbated this and more teens now than ever are feeling worried and stressed and are losing hope as they struggle with social stressors, academic pressure and sadness.

I provide a safe place for teens to talk about difficult topics and make sense of their thoughts and feelings.

Sad young lady standing in the rain

  • Do things feel worse even though you try to make things better?

  • Are you sad about changes in your friend groups or the loss of good friends and feeling increasingly alone?  Maybe you feel like you’ve lost a best friend and you miss the times you shared.

  • Does it seem like everyone else has something better going on than you?

  • Are the expectations to maintain high level course loads, good grades and the constant academic pressure stressing you out?

  • Does school feel like an endless loop of tests, homework, presentations, projects, and constant pressure that never seems to go away?

  • Does it seem like your parents just don’t understand what you’re going through, and that whatever you do doesn’t seem good enough?

  • Are you preoccupied with thoughts about your future and if what you’re doing is enough? Are you constantly worrying about things?

  • Do you often feel overwhelmed with all the things on your mind, and unable to make sense of it all?

Young man clasping hands in anxiety

Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression – Maybe you notice that you (or your teen):

  • experience sad feelings often

  • think you aren’t good enough

  • can’t control thinking about all your problems or how you wish things were different

  • have low or no motivation to do things

  • want to stay in bed more of the time

  • feel tired, regardless of how long you sleep and/or have difficulty sleeping

  • don’t enjoy things you used to

  • have difficulty concentrating

  • feel like you are letting yourself or others  down

  • have a hard time remembering things or have “brain fog”

  • forget to get things done

  • aren’t as hungry or have a change in eating habits

Young teens laughing together

Treatment for anxiety and depression can lead to positive changes such as:

  • Feeling happier and less overwhelmed or worried about your life

  • Gaining control of the negative thoughts in your head

  • Understanding how to manage your emotions

  • Establishing healthier boundaries in relationships

  • Learning how to better listen and communicate your needs with others

  • Enjoying more open communication with others

  • Feeling more confident or better about yourself

  • Creating a more manageable workload

  • Spending time doing things you enjoy or with people you want to spend time with

  • Better eating and sleeping

I help teens feel in better control of their experience, be more intentional with their choices, and develop new habits and awareness to increase their satisfaction. My goal is to optimize the possibilities for greater contentment.