COUNSELING IN SOUTH AUSTIN & ONLINE ACROSS TX
Meeting your teen where they are at.
Teens need a space where they can explore their emotions without judgment, build trust at their own pace, and develop the tools to navigate the complex challenges of growing up.
Many families come to us because their teen:
Has been through a distressing event, maybe even traumatic experience
Is experiencing unwanted thoughts
Works so hard to be “perfect,” often leading to feelings of anxiety
Is increasingly worried, anxious, or overwhelmed
Our Approach
Adolescence is a tender and transformative time. Teens are discovering who they are—navigating big emotions, shifting relationships, and questions of identity—while striving to feel understood in a world that often moves too fast. For those who are highly sensitive, navigating stress or trauma, perfectionistic, or neurodivergent, this journey can feel especially intense. Teens are trying to balance the pull toward independence with a deep need for connection and belonging. It’s a time of both strength and vulnerability, and we believe teens deserve a space where they can show up fully as themselves—without fear, pressure, or judgment.
When beginning therapy with us, you can expect:
Respect for identity & independence
Teens are offered a judgment-free zone to explore thoughts, feelings, and challenges at their own pace.
A safe, confidential space
Therapy honors teens’ growing need for autonomy while supporting their unique experiences of self-expression.
Support for emotional and social challenges
From anxiety and perfectionism to friendship struggles and self-esteem, therapy provides tools to cope and grow.
Practical skills and coping strategies
Our therapists will bring in skills and coping strategies based on their specialties & training. Some of these modalities include: Dialectical and Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Solution Focused Counseling.
Collaboration with parents (when helpful)
Parents are included in the process in a supportive, respectful way that strengths communication and understanding at home.
A Safe Place for Teens to Explore and Thrive
Therapy for teens looks a little different than it does for younger children—and that’s because adolescence is a unique and often challenging time of growth, change, and self-discovery. In therapy, your teen will have a private, judgment-free space to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences with the support of a trusted, compassionate therapist. Whether your teen is struggling with anxiety, depression, identity, peer relationships, or family conflict, therapy can help them build insight, emotional resilience, and healthy coping strategies.
As a parent, you’re an important part of the process. Early sessions begin with time spent getting to know you and your concerns, and throughout the work, the therapist may check in with you periodically (always respecting your teen’s confidentiality) to share general updates and offer guidance on how to support your teen at home. We aim to foster open communication and collaboration, while also honoring your teen’s growing need for independence and privacy. Therapy gives teens the chance to feel seen, heard, and understood—often for the first time—and that can make a powerful difference in their overall well-being.
The cadence of therapy with teens
What Might The Initial Session Look Like?
Starting therapy can sometimes feel scary, awkward, or simply unknown — and that’s completely normal. Whether you’re a teen or a parent reading this, our first session is all about getting to know each other in a relaxed, no-pressure environment.
Here’s what you can expect:
1. A Warm Welcome
The session may begin with solely the client or with both the teen and a parent. It is always the choice of our client. If a parent joins in the session, this will be only for the first few minutes and this is a time when we will discuss confidentiality and review any initial questions.
2. Time to Talk (Or Not Talk — That’s Okay, Too)
Once we’re settled, we’ll spend most of the session one-on-one with the teen. There’s no pressure to share everything right away. Whether you’re ready to talk, or just need time to feel things out, we’ll go at your pace. Some teens prefer to talk, some prefer to engage in an expressive activity (art, poetry, sandtray) or play a game — all are valid ways to express yourself here.
3. Getting to Know You
We’ll ask some gentle questions to learn more about what’s been going on and what brought you here. We have several creative ways to set goals during this initial session if you prefer to engage in an activity as we process some goals. You don’t need to prepare anything in advance. You can share as much or as little as you like.
4. Confidentiality and Safety
If we haven’t already, we’ll talk about what confidentiality means in therapy — what stays private and the few situations where as licensed therapists, we might need to share information to keep someone safe. This part is important, and we always explain it in a clear, respectful way.
5. Next Steps
At the end of the session, we’ll talk briefly about how it felt, whether you’d like to come back, and what future sessions might look like. If a parent or caregiver is present, we’ll check in with them again at the end (with your permission) to answer questions and share general thoughts — while still respecting your privacy.
Most importantly: You don’t have to be in crisis to come to therapy. Whether you’re feeling anxious, sad, overwhelmed, or just need someone to talk to who gets it — therapy can be a place to figure things out, one step at a time.
