Supporting Children and Teens Through Life’s Challenges

Growing up today can feel overwhelming. Children and teens face academic pressure, social challenges, changing identities, and increasing expectations from school, peers, and family. Many young people struggle to express what they are experiencing or may not yet have the tools to manage difficult emotions.

Therapy provides a supportive, age-appropriate space where children and adolescents can talk openly, learn coping skills, and build confidence as they navigate these important developmental years.

Why Children and Teens Seek Therapy

Young people come to therapy for many reasons, including:

Anxiety, worries, or frequent stress
Depression, sadness, or loss of interest in activities
Difficulty with self-esteem or confidence
Peer conflict, bullying, or social struggles
Family conflict or communication challenges
Behavioral or emotional regulation difficulties
Academic stress, perfectionism, or school avoidance
Identity exploration, including gender or sexual orientation
Adjustment to life changes such as divorce, relocation, or loss

What Therapy Looks Like

Child and teen therapy is tailored to each young person’s developmental stage and individual needs. Sessions may include:

Individual time with the child or teen to explore feelings and experiences
Skill-building to help manage anxiety, emotions, and stress
Age-appropriate tools such as creative activities, problem-solving, or structured exercises
Parent guidance and check-ins to support communication and progress at home

Our goal is to help young people feel understood while also supporting families in building stronger, healthier relationships.

Our Approach

We recognize that childhood and adolescence are times of rapid growth and change. Our therapists create a warm, respectful environment where young people feel safe to express themselves and develop new skills.

Approaches may include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to shift unhelpful thought patterns
Mindfulness and grounding strategies to manage stress and emotions
Family Systems perspectives to improve parent–child communication and boundaries
Strengths-based therapy to highlight resilience and self-worth
Identity-affirming practices for LGBTQ+ youth exploring who they are

Meet Our Child & Teen Therapists

Kelly Stavrides, LPC

Vanessa Davidson, LCSW

Mike Ingrassia, LPC