UNDERSTAND YOURSELF, TRUST YOUR VOICE, & FIND YOUR WAY FORWARD
Therapy for Teens in Western WA
Do you feel things deeply and sometimes wonder who you are, what you need, or whether you can trust yourself?
II primarily work with older teens and young adults, typically ages 15–19, who are beginning to develop a stronger sense of who they are and how they want to move through the world. This can be an exciting time, but it can also bring a lot of questions, emotions, and uncertainty as you navigate increasing independence, changing relationships, identity, and what comes next. Maybe you feel things more deeply than the people around you, think about everything, or notice things other people seem to miss. You might be trying to figure out who you are, what matters to you, and where you fit while navigating expectations from family, friends, school, and the world around you.
Sometimes it can feel like everyone else has it figured out while you're still trying to make sense of yourself. You may question whether you're too sensitive, too emotional, too quiet, too much, or somehow not enough. You might know what you want one day and doubt yourself the next. It can be hard to trust your own voice when you're still figuring out which parts of yourself are really yours and which ones you've learned to become for other people.
Maybe you're dealing with emotions that feel bigger or more complicated than you know what to do with. You might find yourself overwhelmed, shutting down, pulling away from people you care about, or reacting in ways that don't feel like the person you want to be. Sometimes that overwhelm can turn inward through self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or other ways of trying to escape feelings that seem impossible to carry. Relationships can feel confusing, too-especially when you deeply want connection but aren't always sure how to ask for what you need, set boundaries, or stay connected to yourself when things get difficult.
You may also be carrying experiences that have shaped the way you see yourself or the world around you. Trauma, family conflict, changes in relationships, anxiety, grief, identity questions, or simply the pressures of growing up can leave you feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of where you belong. Sometimes you can understand what's happening intellectually and still not know how to change what you're feeling or how you're responding.
And maybe you're not in crisis at all. Maybe you're simply at a point in your life where you're ready for a place to slow down, be understood, and figure some things out without someone telling you who you're supposed to be. There is nothing wrong with you for feeling deeply, questioning things, or not having all the answers yet. Life is a process of becoming. You don't have to know exactly who you're becoming right now. You deserve space to explore, grow, change, and discover more of who you are- on your own terms.
You're ready to make sense of what you're feeling, explore who you're becoming, and build a stronger relationship with yourself along the way.
How therapy works
Therapy isn't about telling you who to become. It's about creating space for you to discover who you are.
Therapy with teens isn't about fixing what's wrong with you or teaching you how to be someone you're not. It's about creating a space where you can slow down, be curious about yourself, and begin to understand what's happening beneath the emotions, reactions, and patterns that may be getting in your way.
Together, we'll explore your experiences, relationships, emotions, and nervous system with curiosity and compassion. We might talk about what's happening in your life right now, look at patterns that keep showing up, or pay attention to what you're noticing in your body when emotions become overwhelming. Using a blend of relational, trauma-informed, somatic, and attachment-based approaches, I'll offer tools and perspectives that can help you make sense of yourself without having to fit into someone else's idea of who you should be.
Over time, you may begin to feel more confident in understanding what you're feeling and what you need. You can develop more choice in how you respond, strengthen your ability to navigate relationships and difficult emotions, and begin to trust your own instincts and voice. Therapy can also be a place to explore identity, boundaries, values, and the many questions that come with growing into yourself.
My role isn't to tell you who you should become. It's to walk alongside you as you figure that out for yourself. I'll bring experience, curiosity, and tools to the work, while you remain the expert on your own experience. Together, we can create a therapeutic relationship where you feel heard, respected, and supported as you move through the process of becoming.
Therapy can help you…
Understand how your experiences have shaped your emotions, relationships, and sense of self
Develop greater self-trust and learn to listen to your own needs, emotions, and inner knowing
Navigate intense emotions with more grounding, compassion, and choice
Build healthier relationships while learning to communicate your needs, set boundaries, and stay connected to yourself
Explore your identity, values, and what feels true for you without having to fit someone else's expectations
Frequently asked questions about therapy for TEENS
FAQs
-
I primarily work with older teens and young adults, typically ages 15–19. This stage of life can bring a lot of change with greater independence, shifting relationships, identity questions, and decisions about what comes next. I enjoy working with young people who are beginning to develop a stronger sense of who they are and want support navigating that process. Learn more
-
Not necessarily. In Washington State, adolescents age 13 and older can request and receive outpatient mental health treatment without parental consent.
That means therapy can be a space that belongs to you. We can talk together about what you want from therapy, what feels comfortable to share, and whether there are ways involving a parent or caregiver might be helpful to you. My goal is to respect your growing independence while making sure you have the support you need. Sometimes, that might mean consulting with your parents or having them join us in session, when appropriate and always with your consent. Learn more
-
Your privacy matters, and therapy should feel like a place where you can be honest. We'll talk about confidentiality at the beginning of therapy, including what information can and cannot be kept private.
There are some legal and ethical limits to confidentiality, particularly when there are serious concerns about your safety or someone else's safety. We'll talk through these boundaries together so you know what to expect rather than having to guess. Learn more.
-
That's completely okay. You don't have to come to therapy with a diagnosis, a clear goal, or everything figured out. Maybe you know you're overwhelmed but aren't sure why. Maybe something in your life doesn't feel right, or you're simply trying to understand yourself better.
We can start wherever you are and figure things out together. Learn more.
-
Pretty much anything that feels important to you. We might explore intense emotions, anxiety, trauma, relationships, identity, family dynamics, boundaries, self-esteem, or the transition into adulthood. We can also talk about things that are harder to put into words- what you're noticing in your body, the ways you respond when you're overwhelmed, or the parts of yourself you're still getting to know.
You don't have to choose one thing to work on. Therapy can make room for the whole person you're becoming. Learn more.
-
You don't have to hide these experiences because you're worried about being judged, misunderstood, or getting in trouble. You deserve a place where you can talk honestly about what's happening and be taken seriously.
We'll work together to understand what you're experiencing, identify ways to support your safety, and build the resources and support you need. If you're experiencing immediate danger or need a higher level of care, we'll also talk about what additional support may be needed.
Talking about self-harm or suicidal thoughts doesn't automatically mean losing control of your therapy or having everything shared with your parents. We'll talk openly about confidentiality, safety, and the circumstances in which I may need to involve others so you understand what to expect. Learn more.
-
Yes. Therapy intensives are available for adults age 18 and older. Intensives provide focused, extended time to work more deeply with a particular concern, pattern, or stuck point using approaches such as Brainspotting and somatic therapy.
Because intensives involve longer, more concentrated sessions, they offer a different way to engage with therapeutic work than traditional weekly therapy. If you're under 18, we can explore whether traditional therapy is a good fit for what you're looking for right now. Learn more about intensives.