Sometimes a teen will ask for help and other times a parent decides that help is needed.

Common reasons for seeking treatment:

• difficulty with family relationships

• trouble in making or keeping friends

• not living up to their potential academically

• adjusting to parental separation or divorce

• dealing with having a sibling who has a severe developmental delay or medical problem

• acadmic challenges leading to poor self-esteem

• impulsive/risk taking/self-harming behaviors that put the them in danger

How do we begin therapy with a teenager?

The initial phase is a consultation period. I meet with the teen, with their parents, talk to teachers/counselors at school (if that is useful). I recommend further testing if needed to understand the teen. This may be medical, occupational therapy or neuropsychological. If this testing has already taken place, I would review it. At the end of this process which takes a few weeks, I would make a treatment plan in collaboration with the teenager and the parents. In this process the adolescent and the family can decide if they feel comfortable with me and that I am someone they feel can be of help.

Parent Involvement

I believe strongly in the importance of parental involvement in the treatment. When I see the adolescent in therapy I almost always offer parent consultation simultaneously.

School

When a teen is in treatment with me I am also a liaison for the school.  I can help with IEP meetings and in general help the school to understand the child.