Children & Adolescent Psychotherapy

Growing up has never been simple. Today's children and adolescents face pressures and challenges that previous generations could scarcely imagine. Alongside the developmental tasks of forming an identity, building friendships, and gaining independence, many young people are navigating academic stress, social pressures, anxiety, depression, family conflict, and uncertainty about the future.

Parents often contact me because they sense that something is wrong, even when they are not entirely sure what it is. Sometimes a child has become withdrawn, increasingly anxious, emotionally reactive, or struggling at school. In other cases, parents simply want their child to have a space where they can talk openly, honestly, and without fear of judgment.

Meaningful change often begins when a young person feels genuinely seen, understood, and accepted.

A Space to Feel Heard, Understood, and Accepted

One of the most important aspects of therapy is creating a space where children and adolescents feel safe enough to share what they have been carrying on their own.

Young people experience real emotional pain. They experience heartbreak, loneliness, anxiety, self-doubt, family conflict, and questions about identity and belonging. Yet many struggle to find words for what they are experiencing or worry that adults will not understand.

I believe children and adolescents deserve to be listened to with the same respect, seriousness, and curiosity that we offer adults. Often, meaningful change begins when a young person discovers that their thoughts, feelings, and experiences matter and can be understood.

Therapy provides an opportunity for young people to develop greater self-awareness, confidence, emotional resilience, and a stronger sense of who they are.

Common Reasons Families Seek Therapy

Children and adolescents may benefit from therapy when they are experiencing:

Anxiety and excessive worry
Depression and low mood
Social difficulties and problems fitting in
Self-esteem concerns
Family stress and conflict
Identity development
Questions related to sexuality or gender expression
School-related stress
Life transitions and adjustment difficulties
Grief and loss
Emotional regulation difficulties

Therapy can also be helpful when parents notice changes in mood, behavior, relationships, motivation, or emotional well-being that seem difficult to understand.

Sandplay Therapy

Not every child or adolescent can fully express their inner experience through conversation alone.

Sandplay therapy offers a creative and symbolic way of exploring emotions, conflicts, and experiences that may be difficult to put into words. Using a tray of sand and carefully selected miniature figures, children and adolescents create scenes that express aspects of their inner world in a non-verbal yet deeply meaningful way.

Rooted in Jungian psychology, Sandplay provides what Dora Kalff described as a "free and protected space" where deeper emotional material can emerge naturally and safely.

Many young people find that symbolic expression allows them to communicate experiences they could not easily describe through words alone. Through this process, important emotional themes often become more visible, understandable, and integrated.

Dreams may also be explored when appropriate, offering another avenue for understanding a young person's emotional life and inner experience.

Working with Parents

Parents play an important role in the therapeutic process.

At the beginning of treatment, I discuss confidentiality with both parents and children so that everyone understands how therapy works. My goal is to create an environment where young people feel safe speaking openly while maintaining an appropriate level of communication with parents.

I do not believe in keeping secrets between children and parents. When important conversations need to occur, I help facilitate those discussions in ways that support trust, honesty, and growth.

For younger patients, I also meet with parents periodically to discuss observations, concerns, and ways to support progress outside the consultation room.

My approach seeks to support both the child and the family system while maintaining respect for everyone involved.

Helping Young People Discover Their Voice

One of the most rewarding aspects of this work is witnessing a child or adolescent begin to express something they have been holding inside for a long time.

Whether they are struggling with anxiety, self-doubt, sadness, questions about identity, family difficulties, or challenges at school, therapy can provide a place where they do not have to face those experiences alone.

My goal is not simply to help young people feel better. It is to help them better understand themselves, develop confidence in their own voice, strengthen their emotional resilience, and discover healthier ways of navigating the challenges they encounter as they grow.

Considering Therapy for Your Child or Adolescent?

Seeking therapy for a child or adolescent can feel like a significant decision. Parents often wonder whether therapy is necessary, whether their child will talk, or whether the process will be helpful.

The work begins with a conversation. A clinical consultation provides an opportunity to discuss your concerns, ask questions about the process, and explore whether working together feels like the right fit.

Meaningful change often begins when a young person feels genuinely seen, understood, and accepted.

Clinical Consultaiton

Children & Adolescent Psychotherapy

Meaningful change often begins when a young person feels genuinely seen, understood, and accepted.

A Space to Feel Heard, Understood, and Accepted

One of the most important aspects of therapy is creating a space where children and adolescents feel safe enough to share what they have been carrying on their own.

Young people experience real emotional pain. They experience heartbreak, loneliness, anxiety, self-doubt, family conflict, and questions about identity and belonging. Yet many struggle to find words for what they are experiencing or worry that adults will not understand.

I believe children and adolescents deserve to be listened to with the same respect, seriousness, and curiosity that we offer adults. Often, meaningful change begins when a young person discovers that their thoughts, feelings, and experiences matter and can be understood.

Therapy provides an opportunity for young people to develop greater self-awareness, confidence, emotional resilience, and a stronger sense of who they are.

Common Reasons Families Seek Therapy

Children and adolescents may benefit from therapy when they are experiencing:

Anxiety and excessive worry

Depression and low mood

Social difficulties and problems fitting in

Self-esteem concerns

Family stress and conflict

Identity development

Questions related to sexuality or gender expression

School-related stress

Life transitions and adjustment difficulties

Grief and loss

Emotional regulation difficulties

Therapy can also be helpful when parents notice changes in mood, behavior, relationships, motivation, or emotional well-being that seem difficult to understand.

Sandplay Therapy

Not every child or adolescent can fully express their inner experience through conversation alone.

Rooted in Jungian psychology, Sandplay provides what Dora Kalff described as a "free and protected space" where deeper emotional material can emerge naturally and safely.

Many young people find that symbolic expression allows them to communicate experiences they could not easily describe through words alone. Through this process, important emotional themes often become more visible, understandable, and integrated.

Dreams may also be explored when appropriate, offering another avenue for understanding a young person's emotional life and inner experience.

Working with Parents

Parents play an important role in the therapeutic process.

At the beginning of treatment, I discuss confidentiality with both parents and children so that everyone understands how therapy works. My goal is to create an environment where young people feel safe speaking openly while maintaining an appropriate level of communication with parents.

I do not believe in keeping secrets between children and parents. When important conversations need to occur, I help facilitate those discussions in ways that support trust, honesty, and growth.

For younger patients, I also meet with parents periodically to discuss observations, concerns, and ways to support progress outside the consultation room.

My approach seeks to support both the child and the family system while maintaining respect for everyone involved.

Helping Young People Discover Their Voice

One of the most rewarding aspects of this work is witnessing a child or adolescent begin to express something they have been holding inside for a long time.

Whether they are struggling with anxiety, self-doubt, sadness, questions about identity, family difficulties, or challenges at school, therapy can provide a place where they do not have to face those experiences alone.

My goal is not simply to help young people feel better. It is to help them better understand themselves, develop confidence in their own voice, strengthen their emotional resilience, and discover healthier ways of navigating the challenges they encounter as they grow.

Considering Therapy for Your Child or Adolescent?

Seeking therapy for a child or adolescent can feel like a significant decision. Parents often wonder whether therapy is necessary, whether their child will talk, or whether the process will be helpful.

The work begins with a conversation. A clinical consultation provides an opportunity to discuss your concerns, ask questions about the process, and explore whether working together feels like the right fit.

Meaningful change often begins when a young person feels genuinely seen, understood, and accepted.