Adolescents enter therapy for a wide number of reasons. Some may have situational crises. Others have genetic predispositions to depression, anxiety or obsessive-compulsive behavior that show up acutely during the teen years.

Adolescence is a unique life phase, not quite child and not yet adult. Identity formation and peer relationships are salient areas of focus during adolescents. It is very helpful for teens to have a safe place to talk through their struggles with a caring, reasonable adult. They rarely turn to parents for this kind of help as a norm for this stage of life. Also, families often struggle with the launching phase which occurs in later adolescence and young adulthood. Families find reassurance talking through dilemmas associated with helping their child move into adulthood.

I have extensive experience working with male adolescents both in private practice and various treatment facilities. While I custom-tailor each intervention to meet the unique needs of the presenting concern, I use individual, family and group therapy to address adolescent depression, anxiety or behavior problems.

Group therapy is particularly helpful in addressing adolescent concerns. Research has shown that adolescents are influenced strongest by their peer group. Group therapy provides a safe context for adolescents to explore their values, thinking and behavior. This process helps individuals gain greater insight and enhance their decision-making process.