THERAPY FOR TEENS
Being a teen isn't easy
It can be HARD to be a teen today. From the demands of school and extracurriculars to the state of the world teens are growing up in and the ever-present world wide web, teens have a lot on their plates growing up in the Northern Virginia area. If your teen is struggling, maybe a counseling connection could help.
A space to figure things out
UNDERSTANDING TEENS
Teens both have it both harder and easier than we did. Becca uses non-directive counseling with teens that focuses on building a supportive, secure relationship from which teens can explore their challenges through a curious and accepting lens. Teens are not only moving through puberty, but also simultaneously managing academics, extracurricular demands, ever-changing relationships, and opportunities for getting into trouble at (nearly) every turn.
Common Concerns
If your teen is struggling with any of the following, counseling may be a good fit.
Anxiety
Academic Challenges
ADHD & Emotional Regulation
Grief
Anger
Relationships
Self-Harm
Depression
Connection comes first
HOW I WORK
Becca’s approach with teens is to move between her Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) background and integrate both continued acceptance of all emotions in a non-directive way and offers Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skills as needed.
Becca finds that many teens do have an idea of what they need, and frequently require more relational support to determine what tools are a good fit and how to implement these new tools to become effective individuals.
Supporting your teen, together
FOR PARENTS
As parents, you can expect to be both involved in your teen’s counseling and to practice engaging in appropriate confidentiality for your child. Parents of teens engaging in counseling can expect that their teen gets the opportunity to meet with Becca independently of their parents, for an entire 45-minute session.
Parents can expect to meet with Becca at least seasonally (quarterly), and more frequently as needed for progress updates and parenting support. Parenting support (link to page) is likely to include developing insights into how the household models emotional management among other challenges, and over the course of our relationship, Becca is likely to make some recommendations. She firmly believes we cannot expect our teens to engage in behaviors we are unable or unwilling to engage in ourselves and that modeling is our most effective tool.
Therapy isn't one-size-fits-all
FINDING THE RIGHT FIT
Becca uses a non-directive mode of counseling, therefore it may not be a great fit for everyone as she does not see her role as enacting parent wishes or coercing children into doing what parents want (despite the likely positive motivation many parents have). Her counseling does not include teaching teens skills in a directed, systemic way, unlike Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
For more information regarding the benefits of mental health counseling for teens, Dialectical Behavior Therapy tools, or the developer, Marsha Linehan you could access the provided links. You could also request a phone call with Becca [link to contact page] and ask to learn more.
READY WHEN YOU ARE
Curious if we might be a good fit?
Finding the right therapist matters. Reach out to ask a question, learn more, or see if working together feels right.