Teen therapy
When Your Teen Is Struggling, We Help Them Find Their Way Forward
Teen therapy provides essential support during one of life's most challenging developmental periods—a time filled with academic pressures, social complexities, identity exploration, and emotional ups and downs. When your teenager is struggling, professional counseling can equip them with the tools, insights, and coping strategies they need to navigate these years with greater confidence and wellbeing.
Teen therapy at our Bellevue counseling practice is designed specifically for the unique needs of adolescents and young adults. Our team of skilled therapists understands the developmental challenges teenagers face and creates a safe, non-judgmental space where they can express themselves authentically and work through their concerns. We offer both in-person sessions at our Bellevue office and online counseling options to meet your family's preferences.
Signs Your Teen May Benefit from Therapy
Teenagers may benefit from professional support when they experience persistent changes in mood or behavior that interfere with their daily functioning. This might include withdrawal from friends and activities, significant changes in academic performance, increased irritability or emotional volatility, changes in sleep or eating patterns, or difficulty managing stress.
Many teens face specific challenges that respond well to therapeutic intervention, including anxiety that prevents them from participating in school or social activities, difficulty processing traumatic experiences, obsessive-compulsive behaviors that disrupt their routine, attention difficulties that impact their performance and relationships, struggles with body image or eating patterns, or processing significant losses.
Therapy provides teenagers with a confidential space to explore their thoughts and feelings with someone outside their peer group and family system. For teens who may feel misunderstood or hesitant to burden their parents, having a trained professional to talk to can be profoundly helpful.
How We Help Teenagers
Anxiety - Teen anxiety can manifest in many ways, from social anxiety that makes peer interactions feel unbearable to generalized worry that interferes with daily life. We help teenagers understand how anxiety works, develop practical coping strategies, and gradually build confidence in facing challenging situations.
Trauma - Traumatic experiences profoundly impact adolescents, affecting their sense of safety, their relationships, and their view of themselves and the world. We provide specialized, trauma-informed care that helps teens process difficult experiences and move forward with healing.
OCD - Obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors can consume hours of a teenager's day, interfering with schoolwork, family time, and friendships. We use evidence-based approaches to help teens gradually reduce OCD symptoms and reclaim their lives.
ADHD - Attention challenges can significantly impact academic performance, relationships, and self-esteem during the teen years. We help adolescents develop organizational strategies, time management skills, and ways to manage the emotional impact of these challenges.
Grief and Loss - Whether facing the death of a loved one, parental divorce, or other significant losses, teenagers benefit from support in processing these experiences. We provide space for teens to express grief in whatever form it takes while helping them adjust to changes and continue moving forward.
Eating Concerns - Body image issues and eating patterns are common concerns during adolescence. We address these issues with compassion and expertise, helping teenagers develop healthier relationships with food and their bodies while working on underlying emotional factors.
Our Therapeutic Approaches for Teens
We utilize evidence-based therapeutic approaches that have been shown to effectively support teenagers and young adults. Our therapists are trained in multiple modalities, allowing us to create personalized treatment plans tailored to each teen's specific needs.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) helps teenagers process traumatic experiences in a way that reduces their emotional impact. This specialized approach allows teens to work through difficult memories without having to discuss every detail, which many adolescents find more comfortable.
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) teaches practical skills that are particularly relevant for teenagers. Adolescents learn mindfulness techniques to stay present rather than overwhelmed, distress tolerance strategies for getting through difficult situations, emotion regulation skills to manage intense feelings, and interpersonal effectiveness tools for navigating relationships while maintaining self-respect.
IFS (Internal Family Systems) helps teenagers understand the different parts of themselves—the part that wants to please others, the part that feels anxious, the part that gets angry. Through this lens, teens develop greater self-awareness, self-compassion, and the ability to respond to situations in healthier ways.
Trauma-Focused CBT combines cognitive and behavioral techniques with trauma-sensitive interventions specifically designed for adolescents. Teens learn about the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors while developing coping skills and gradually processing traumatic experiences.
ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) is the gold-standard treatment for OCD. We work collaboratively with each teenager, creating a safe environment where they can gradually face their fears while learning to resist compulsive behaviors. The goal is helping teens learn they can handle uncomfortable feelings without resorting to rituals.
What to Expect from Teen Therapy
Starting therapy can feel intimidating for teenagers, and we want both you and your teen to understand what to expect. The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know your teenager—what brings them to therapy, what they're experiencing, and what they hope to achieve.
We balance gathering information from parents with spending time talking directly with your teen. Adolescents need to know that therapy is their space, and confidentiality is an important part of building trust. We maintain age-appropriate privacy while keeping parents informed about overall progress and always communicating if there are safety concerns.
The early sessions focus on building a therapeutic relationship. For therapy to be effective, teenagers need to feel safe and understood. Our therapists take time to develop genuine rapport, showing interest in your teen's life, interests, and perspective without judgment.
As therapy progresses, we work collaboratively with your teenager to identify goals and create a personalized treatment plan. Some teens focus on learning specific coping skills for anxiety or stress. Others work on processing difficult experiences. Many adolescents explore patterns in their thoughts and behaviors, work on improving relationships, or build confidence and self-esteem.
Therapy typically involves consistent weekly sessions over a period of time—often 12 weeks to a year—depending on the concerns being addressed. Regular meetings provide the continuity needed to address key concerns, follow up on strategies practiced between sessions, and maintain accountability to goals.
Why Families Choose Our Practice for Teen Therapy
Teen-Centered Approach - We respect teenagers as individuals with their own perspectives, preferences, and agency. Our therapists connect with teens authentically, meeting them where they are without judgment or condescension.
Personalized Treatment - We believe there is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Every teenager receives a treatment plan tailored to their unique personality, challenges, strengths, and goals. We adapt our approach based on what resonates with each individual.
Skilled, Relatable Therapists - Our team includes therapists who are both professionally competent and genuinely caring. We understand teen culture, communicate in ways that resonate with adolescents, and create environments where teens feel comfortable being authentic.
Confidential, Safe Space - We maintain appropriate confidentiality that allows teenagers to speak freely about their thoughts and feelings. This privacy is essential for building trust and enabling meaningful therapeutic work.
Convenient Location and Flexible Options - Located in Bellevue, we serve families throughout the area. We offer both in-person sessions and online counseling, recognizing that many teens appreciate the flexibility and comfort of virtual sessions.
Professional Excellence - Families choose us for our stellar administrative team, our punctual and professional clinicians, and our commitment to providing high-quality care to every teenager we serve.
Supporting Your Teen Through Therapy
As a parent, supporting your teenager through therapy means balancing involvement with respecting their privacy and autonomy. Present therapy positively, helping your teen understand that many successful people work with therapists to develop skills and navigate challenges.
Maintain consistency with appointments, even if your teen seems reluctant or progress feels slow. Building trust takes time, and allowing your teenager to have this consistent, confidential relationship with their therapist is valuable.
Respect your teen's privacy while staying appropriately connected. The therapy room needs to be a space where adolescents can speak freely, knowing their therapist won't share everything with parents. However, your teen's therapist will keep you informed about overall progress and therapeutic goals while maintaining confidentiality around session content.
If the therapist provides recommendations for supporting your teen's progress at home, follow through when possible. This might include adjusting your responses to certain behaviors, creating new family routines, or practicing communication strategies together.
Begin Your Teen's Healing Journey
If your teenager is struggling with anxiety, trauma, OCD, attention challenges, grief, eating concerns, or other emotional difficulties, our Bellevue counseling team is here to help. We provide the specialized support adolescents need to develop healthy coping skills, build resilience, and navigate these formative years with greater confidence.
We invite you to reach out to our office to learn more about our teen therapy services, discuss whether we're the right fit for your family, and take the first step toward support. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or ask any questions about how we can help your teenager.
Our Bellevue practice specializes in therapy for teenagers and young adults. We provide individual therapy and online counseling using evidence-based approaches including EMDR, DBT, IFS, Trauma-Focused CBT, and ERP. Serving families throughout the Bellevue, WA area with compassionate, professional care.
Located in:
Bellevue, Wa
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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We provide teen therapy for adolescents and young adults, typically ages 13 to 19. Our therapists are trained in adolescent development and understand the unique challenges teenagers face during these formative years. We tailor our approach to meet each teen where they are developmentally, emotionally, and socially.
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Signs that your teenager might benefit from counseling include persistent sadness or irritability, withdrawal from friends and activities, declining academic performance, changes in sleep or eating patterns, increased anxiety or worry, difficulty managing emotions, or experiencing a significant life transition. If you notice these changes lasting more than a few weeks or interfering with daily life, teen therapy can provide valuable support.
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Our therapists work with teenagers experiencing anxiety, trauma, OCD, ADHD, grief and loss, and eating disorders. We also help teens navigate depression, relationship challenges, family conflict, identity exploration, academic stress, and major life transitions. Each treatment plan is personalized to address your teen's specific concerns and goals.
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We utilize evidence-based modalities including EMDR for trauma processing, DBT for emotion regulation and distress tolerance, Internal Family Systems for understanding different parts of oneself, Trauma-Focused CBT for processing difficult experiences, and Exposure and Response Prevention therapy for OCD and anxiety. Our therapists select approaches based on your teen's individual needs and preferences.
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Many parents worry their teenager won't open up in therapy. Our therapists are skilled at building rapport with adolescents and creating a safe, non-judgmental space where teens feel comfortable being themselves. We respect your teenager's autonomy while maintaining appropriate boundaries. Most teens begin to engage once they realize therapy is their space to be heard without judgment.
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Yes, we provide both in-person sessions at our Bellevue office and online counseling options. Online therapy can be particularly appealing to teenagers who appreciate the convenience and privacy of meeting from home. Both formats are equally effective, and we can help you determine which option works best for your family's needs and your teen's comfort level.
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The duration of teen therapy varies based on individual needs and goals. Some teenagers benefit from shorter-term support lasting several months, while others work with us for a year or longer to address more complex concerns. We typically meet consistently over a period of 12 weeks to a year, adjusting the frequency and duration as your teen progresses.
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The first session focuses on getting to know your teenager and building a therapeutic relationship. Our therapists create space for your teen to share what has been weighing on them, ask questions to understand their experiences, and begin exploring whether we're a good fit. We listen more than we direct in early sessions. More specific goals and therapeutic interventions are introduced as the relationship develops and trust is established.
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We balance your teenager's need for privacy with appropriate parental involvement. The level of parent participation depends on your teen's age, the issues being addressed, and your family's preferences. We typically meet with parents periodically to share progress updates and provide guidance, while maintaining confidentiality about specific session content unless there are safety concerns. Our goal is to support both your teen's growth and your family's overall wellbeing.
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Getting started is simple. Contact our office to schedule an initial consultation where we can learn about your teen's needs and match them with a therapist who specializes in the concerns you're addressing. During this conversation, we'll discuss whether in-person or online sessions work best for your family and answer any questions you have about the therapeutic process.