listening, understanding, empowering.
Counseling for Teens
based in Plano, Online across TX
You want what’s best for your child.
You have a driven child who gives their all to everything they do and that makes you incredibly proud. Their dedication is admirable, but you can't help but worry about the immense pressure they carry. You want nothing more than to see them succeed and apply themselves, yet you find yourself torn. How much should you expect and push for excellence, and how much should you step back to allow them the space to breathe? It's a delicate balance, and navigating it can be challenging.
You are so thankful they are a good kid, part of you worries they are being too good. You encourage them to explore, have fun, and maybe even hope they find some trouble along the way - albeit very little trouble. You've reassured them that a “B” in an advanced class is great, and dropping one extracurricular activity is perfectly fine yet they keep pushing. Teaching them to find balance is hard, but you know it’s possible.
While the outside world sees your child as the epitome of success, you see their silent suffering. Their friendships are strained, perhaps they don't have time for friends, or maybe their friends have stopped inviting them because they are rarely able to show up. Family moments, once cherished, have taken a backseat to endless studying and practices. No more father/son activities or mother/daughter lunch dates. Their life revolves around academics and commitments. It saddens you that they are missing out on the joys of school, football games, dances, and weekend gatherings with friends. You fear they're forfeiting their childhood and you want that part of your baby back.
The surprising part is, the pressure to excel, to be in every activity, and to ace every test isn't all coming from you – it's self-imposed. You've created a space where they have the freedom to be themselves, yet they carry the weight of immense expectations.
When your child is hurting,
you are hurting.
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They are overwhelmed and anxiety has taken control of heir thoughts. They worry constantly about grades, appearance, and future plans. Things that used to roll off their backs now trigger emotional breakdowns. They retreat to their room and more often you are finding them in bed, curled up in the dark, phone in hand. There are even days they head straight to bed right after school. While you may question if it's normal teenage moodiness, your gut is telling you that sadness and depression might be taking hold.
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The constant struggle to get out of bed and dark circles under their eyes scream sleep deprivation. The persistent anxiety is doing a number on their stomach, and frequent headaches from computer eye strain have become a regular occurrence.
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no more video games, tossing a ball around with siblings, or reading just for fun. Sounds of laughter and lightheartedness that once leaked from their room has been replaced with silence. The heaviness that surrounds them is heartbreaking and you’re ready to intervene. Why not start now? Schedule a free 15 min consultation today.
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Sound like your child?
Trouble falling asleep
Occasional total shut down
Overwhelmed and exhausted
Unusually sensitive and moody
Consumed with worry and/or sadness
Recurring headaches and/or stomachaches
Schedule a consultation call today.
You can get your fun, happy, confident kid back.
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laughing with friends again and excited about upcoming social events. They’ve lightened their load and they physically look refreshed. They’ve come out of their room, watched a movie with the family and you can tease them a little. The darkness around them has lifted and you see signs of the kid you raised again.
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in their own skill. They are performing well and excelling but not overstressed and miserable. Their expectations have gone from perfection to giving best effort and accepting the results. They see their imperfections and still like themselves.
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and living in the moment. They've found a way to juggle their high-performance mode and having some carefree teenage fun. They're not slacking off; they've just picked up some coping skills figured out how to handle things better and take care of themselves for long-term success . And the best part? They're not letting their standards slip—they've just picked up some coping skills
How therapy works
Helping teens strike a balance between high expectations and being a kid.
With over two decades as a school counselor, I've learned about teens from teens. I've witnessed society and pop culture continually reshape our youth and have adapted to their ever-changing needs. Despite the changes, one constant remains—the teenage years are a journey of self-discovery, navigating who they want to be, who others think they should be, and who they truly are. This internal struggle often changes what they think and feel about themselves. In this confusion, I've become a guide, helping them untangle these thoughts and transform negative self-perceptions into powerful, positive ones.
Having faced their unique challenges alongside them, I understand the high pressures and demands of today. The internet brings a world of confusing and sometimes inappropriate information to their fingertips. I'm here to help them navigate this complexity, process emotions, and tackle seemingly overwhelming challenges to make sense of it all. I connect with the innocent child beneath the maturing exterior and emotions. When I speak, it's to that true self—the one who may be insecure and needs encouragement to build confidence and resilience.
We will spend the first session getting to one another. Then, we will meet weekly for 50 min. sessions where I will listen to understand your teen’s perspective, decide on some goals for therapy and to dive into your teens unique challenges. We will develop coping skills to help them face challenges now and in the future. Improving mental wellness is a long term investment. Their struggles did not come on overnight and they won’t disappear over night. It takes time to identify needs, build coping skills and apply those skills to their daily life. It’s an investment in their lifelong happiness and well being. It’s the best investment you can make for their future self.
Ready to get started? Schedule a call today.
Curious how the free consultation call for Teen Therapy works?
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Call or text 682.273.0373. Leave your name, number, and a good time to call or complete the contact form. I WILL get back to you for a 15 min. consultation call.
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No worries. It’s just a quick conversation, not a session. I will tell you a Iittle about my therapy style, my fees and availability. I’ll answer any questions you have and I may even ask the following.
What made you consider therapy now?
Have you been in therapy or counseling before?
What has worked/not worked for you in the past counseling sessions?
What are you looking for in a counselor or therapist?
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No pressure! I have a few questions I will ask. Answer as much as you can, “I’m not ready to answer that” is a perfectly acceptable response. I only want to move at the pace of trust.
I will also give time for you to ask any questions you may have. If you don’t have any at this time, no problem. You can always ask in session if you think of one later.
Therapy for highly driven teens can help them:
Gain confidence and boost self-esteem.
Strive for excellence without overburdening themselves.
Balance hard work and dedication with self-acceptance and self-care.
Establish positive relationships with friends and family.
Understand emotions and improve self-regulation.
Frequently asked questions about teen therapy
FAQs
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Improving mental health takes time. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as taking their temperature to monitor their recovery. Patience and understanding are the keys to supporting their efforts. Open and honest conversations about their feelings and encouraging use of their coping skills are the best ways to monitor their well-being. A bad day or week isn’t a set-back. They are still emotional beings, but trust your intuition. Over time you will see your baby returning to normal.
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No. Therapy for teens teaches your child skills to prioritize their responsibilities, accept what they cannot change, and set boundaries for what they can change to keep from stretching themselves too thin. Anxiety and stress are a part of life, I will fill their tool box with healthy ways to manage them, not avoid them completely. Most teenagers experience an increase in performance as their mental health improves.
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Helping your teenager to recognize me as a trustworthy adult, someone they can confide in without fear of judgment or consequences, is the first step in building their confidence in the counseling process. Creating a comfortable and private environment for our online sessions will help them to relax and provide a sense of safety within their own surroundings. Reassuring them that there won't be any questioning about the sessions but rather an encouragement to openly share their feelings with you, free from judgment, will convey your support and trust in the process. Basically, your job is to set the stage for a positive experience, I will take it from there. Call, text, or email me to schedule first, then tell your teen about the appointment to eliminate wait time.
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We’ll meet weekly online, so you can join from the comfort of your own location anywhere in Texas. Everyone’s therapeutic journey is unique; I typically meet with clients for 10-12 weeks, after which they can transition to biweekly or monthly check-ins, while others prefer to continue weekly sessions long-term. My fee is $115 per session, and while I don’t accept insurance directly, I’m considered out-of-network with most providers. Depending on your insurance, reimbursement may reduce your cost to the same or even less than a typical copay. Visit FAQs.