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Adolescents
What if…
someone
would
listen?
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It is so hard being an adolescent. They are trying to figure out who they are in the world while having to navigate waves of physical, mental, social and emotional change. On top of this, there is pressure from the media, school, peers and themselves to be a certain way. They are also navigating very real relationships, sometimes for the very first time.
This pressure can lead to low self-esteem, isolation, depression, anxiety and high-risk behaviors. Adolescents get more pleasure from engaging in risk-taking behaviors than children and adults combined.
It is important for them to have a place to be able to process what is coming up for them, in an effort to prevent or significantly reduce these behaviors. What I hear a from teens is that it just feels good to be able to talk about their life and feel like someone understands. We will take steps to change worrisome behaviors if any, and also help them live up to their fullest potential and figure out who they are and who they want to be.
I love working with youth to be able to meet them where they’re at, without judgment. My approach is authentic and down-to-Earth, with a focus on cultivating our relationship to establish trust. I don’t believe that adolescents are “kids”. They are their own hybrid of child and adult, and this is an important distinction in our work together. I invite adolescents to come as they are, and we can talk about whatever’s on their mind. We can also laugh.
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Areas of focus include:
Perfectionism
Peer relationships
Self-esteem
LGBTQIA++ . I am a WPATH member, working with Trans youth. WPATH conference 2024 attendee
Anxiety
Depression
Trauma
Academic pressure
Grief and Loss
Self-harm
Suicidal Ideation
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