Welcome to Threshold Counseling. I’m glad you’re checking out this page because it means you’re interested in doing something really brave…trying to figure out how to deal with all the stress and pressure that you’re facing at home, school and in relationships.
You’re probably wondering if you are alone in the stuff you’re dealing with. You may be finding yourself isolated or surrounded with people who are just as sad or anxious or good at avoiding as you are. Maybe you’re tired of people not understanding you…not listening to you…making you feel invisible or too much trouble. Maybe everything is going pretty well, but you want to figure out how to talk to your parents or friends or other important people in your life.
I get it. I have worked with MANY teens in middle and high school who have felt the same way as you do right now. I have also seen them grow and change into amazing young adults. That’s why I decided to make you a priority in my therapy practice!
The most common concerns I address are:
- Low self-esteem/lack of confidence
- Self-doubt/concerns about self-image
- Difficulty managing stress (often leading to self-injury)
- Difficulty with relationships (parents, siblings, friends, etc.)
- Inability to handle conflict
Here’s what teens want to talk about in therapy:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Relationship problems
- Sexuality
- Self-injury
- Social isolation
- Trauma
- School problems – grades, getting to school, staying at school, friends
“I don’t know what therapy is like. What happens when I come?”
When you come to therapy, we will get to know each other for a while. I’ll ask you about your story, your friends, your family, and your perspective on what’s going on. You can also ask me anything you want. After all, we’re going to be working together…it’s important you can trust me. Once I understand how you see the world and what you’re dealing with, we’ll create a plan that includes creating goals, learning, talking about what’s working and what’s not working. You may find that you try a few of the ideas out between sessions, and you’ll be able to tell me if we are moving forward or need to think of a new approach. I can pretty much guarantee we’ll laugh during sessions too; therapy isn’t all talk and serious. It’s really about telling your story and figuring out how you want to make changes.
When you leave therapy, you’ll feel like you’ve had a chance to talk in a safe place. You’ll feel a bit stronger and a lot more courageous to live the kind of life you want. You’ll find your voice and the confidence you need to support healthy relationships and really good life.
I offer sessions specifically designed so that teens and parents can experience fun, healthy communication about a range of issues. We will start with “safe” topics first so that you can experience collaboration and connection. As we rebuild trust and connection, we can work through the more challenging topics to create a solid relationship and a more promising future as a family. These sessions should be part of the full therapeutic experience for your teen; as they strengthen their voice and understand their own story, they will be able to practice these skills with parents.
Some topics include:
- Understanding what it’s like to live with anxiety or depression
- Fighting Fair: How to have healthy conflict!
- Starting Middle School/ High School…or Graduating
- Failing at or Avoiding School
- Staying Home or Going Out: How to Find a Balance
- How to Talk About Sex Without it Being Weird
- Making Friends/Relationships
- Why I Self-Harm and Other Ways to Cope