Meet Our Los Angeles Teen and Child Counselors

Child and teen therapy is a form of psychotherapy centered on addressing behavioral and emotional problems in children or teenagers. 

The goal is not necessarily to “fix an issue” and move on, but to support your child as they develop and transition to the next stage in their future. Teen counseling can help them navigate mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, self injury, behavioral problems, anger management, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or trauma.

Some therapy sessions may include the caregiver or parent (especially if your child is young), while others may be one-on-one with your kid.  Teen therapy is very similar to individual therapy and may not require as much parent involvement to respect the teen’s privacy.  Yet, your therapist will ensure to notify you if your teen is at risk or in danger of harm.

Growing up can be a scary and lonely process, especially when family or school stressors add extra weight to your kid’s shoulders.  While young children may not be able to process or express difficult emotions, teens tend to think they can handle them or prefer to keep them from others. To properly help your child, you may need answers and support. That’s where mental health professionals come in.  Through an initial psychological evaluation, family therapist can shine some light on what’s troubling your kid and design a personalized treatment plan. The beauty of therapy is that it provides a private space for your kid or teen to play, share, and open up without fear of judgment or rejection. They can build a safe relationship with their therapist and carry it over to you, other family members, and friends. Therapists will also teach your child healthy coping skills to manage their struggles and work to increase their ability to express their emotions, assist them in finding their own identity, and address any mental health issues.

It can be challenging to discern whether your kid’s behavior is part of their growth, their unique personality, or if there’s something else hidden underneath.  This is particularly hard when the signs of distress are not as obvious or when teens struggle to communicate what they are going through.

Common telltales of a child or teen who need therapy include:

PHYSICAL: Agitation, nausea, noticeable weight or nutrition changes, low or excessive physical activity, sleep problems, self-injury.

EMOTIONAL: Anger, tantrums or irritability, persistent worry or fear, lack of energy or motivation, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts.

SOCIAL: Arguing or fighting, aggression, difficulty socializing, loneliness, avoidance of social activities with friends or family, communication issues.

BEHAVIORAL: Academic struggle, restlessness or difficulty staying still, obsession with screens (e.g., video games, social media), unhealthy or risky behaviors (e.g., smoking, drinking). 

There are multiple different ways to find teen counseling in Los Angeles, CA. One place to start is ask for referrals from any friends and family. Personal referrals can be valuable and provided an extra layer of trust or comfort because you have a point of reference of a positive experience. If you don't feel comfortable asking others, you can find a teen therapist in Los Angeles through therapy directories such as TherapyDen, Psychology Today, or Inclusive Therapists. You could also look for providers through your insurance network or search on professional therapist organizations, such as the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) or the American Psychological Association (APA) for teen therapists.

Teen counseling can range from 13-18 years of age. It can beneficial for teens of all ages and genders/gender identities. Teen counseling is much like regular adult therapy. It more so takes into account the development age and milestones that are occurring in the life of a teen. Stressors like peer relationships, puberty, dating, college decisions, navigating their relationship with parents, exploring their independence, or pressure to perform in school or extracurriculars are often topics of focus during a session. However, creating a safe space that allows teen clients to express themselves, work through uncomfortable feelings, recognize patterns of thought and behavior, and collaborate on alternative ways of coping strategies, are central to any therapeutic strategy. This is true of for both teenage girls and teenage boys. While their struggles may externalize differently, teen counseling can be useful for a teen regardless of their specific age or gender/gender identity.

Even though teens are still very much dependent on their parents, they still have rights. Particularly the right to consent* and the right to confidentiality. This means that your teen must consent to therapy just like an adult and maintains privacy regarding what is shared during a session. All information during sessions is confidential between the therapist and the client. The only exception to this confidentiality is harm to self, harm to others, or any suspected child or elder abuse. While it can seem scary, as a parent, to not know what is being discussed during your teen's therapy, it is important for a teen to have a space where they can truly express themselves without fear of their information being shared with a parent. It can seem counter intuitive, but confidentiality is one of the most important tenants of building a safe and beneficial therapeutic relationship. While confidentiality is important to maintain, ultimately if your teen discloses any risk of harm must be disclosed to the parent.

*In California law, the minor must be 12 years of age or older to consent for treatment;

1. In the therapist’s opinion, the minor must be mature enough to participate intelligently in the therapy services; and

2. Either:

   a. the minor would present a danger of serious physical or mental harm to themself or to others without the therapy services; or

   b. The minor must be the alleged victim of incest or child abuse.