WHO
TEENAGERS & THE PEOPLE THAT LOVE THEM
When I started out in this field, the majority of my clients were children ages 3-12. I used to feel a little scared of the teenagers! As my oldest daughter grew, and I got closer to having one of my own, I realized how great they really are. Now, I cherish the opportunity to work with teenage clients.
WHAT
INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING FAMILY THERAPY
The first step is to set up a parent consultation. We will address your concerns and any questions you may have. This is an opportunity for you to decide if I am the best fit for your teen and your family. If so, then we will customize a plan that works with your schedules. Communication is key. Even if your teen is participating in individual counseling, we will meet for a family session or a follow-up parent consultation at least once a month.
WHY
BECAUSE WE ALL NEED HELP SOMETIMES
Although my unique specialization is with younger children and Play Therapy, I have found that incorporating and modifying interactive things like art, mindfulness exercises and animal assisted therapy into my sessions with tweens and teens has been good for them and for me. Having something to do while we visit helps break the ice and create a more comfortable setting.
A CUSTOMIZED APPROACH FOR TEENS
Teen Therapy in Aledo, Texas
Teen therapy supports adolescents facing anxiety, stress, family conflict, social pressure, and major life changes through individualized counseling with family involvement when helpful. Care may incorporate animal assisted therapy, creative techniques, and parent coaching, while younger siblings may benefit from play therapy.
Teen therapy at this Aledo, Texas practice combines individual counseling with family therapy for teenagers and the people who love them, because we all need help sometimes. This experienced, trusted child and family therapist offers a customized approach for tweens and teens that blends talk therapy with art, mindfulness, and animal assisted therapy, while staying connected to the same play therapy and parent coaching foundations used with younger children.
What Does Teen Counseling Look Like at This Practice?
Teen therapy here is built around three simple questions. Who is it for? Teenagers and the people that love them. What does it involve? Individual counseling and family therapy. Why does it matter? Because we all need help sometimes. Adolescence brings a unique set of pressures, from academic stress and social dynamics to identity, family change, and everything in between, and a customized approach for teens is built to meet a young person exactly where they are.
Why Do Teenagers and Families Need Support Sometimes?
No family gets through the teen years without a few bumps. Communication can break down, emotions can run high, and both teens and parents can end up feeling unheard. This practice's philosophy, that we all need help sometimes, removes the stigma from asking for support and reframes counseling as a normal, healthy tool for navigating a genuinely difficult stage of life rather than a sign that something is broken.
This experienced, trusted mental health professional originally worked primarily with younger children, ages 3 to 12, through individual play therapy. As her own children grew, so did her comfort and appreciation for working with adolescent clients, and teen counseling has become a core part of this Aledo, Texas practice.
How Does a Customized Approach Work for Teen Counseling?
Every teen is different, so every plan is different. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all program, this practice develops a customized plan based on what a specific teenager and family actually need, whether that involves anxiety, social struggles, family conflict, a major life transition, or simply needing a neutral, trusted adult to talk to outside the family.
What Happens During the First Consultation for Teen Therapy?
The process begins with a parent consultation to address concerns and determine fit before the teenager is ever asked to commit to sessions. This initial conversation allows parents to share context, ask questions, and get a feel for whether this experienced, trusted counselor is the right match for their teen. From there, a customized plan is developed based on the family's specific goals and the teen's comfort level.
How Are Parents Involved in Teen Counseling?
Communication is key. Even when a teenager is receiving individual counseling, this practice commits to monthly family sessions or parent consultations to keep everyone informed and aligned. This approach respects a teenager's need for privacy and their own space to open up, while still making sure parents are not left guessing about their teen's progress. It is the same communication-first philosophy at the heart of this practice's parent coaching and filial therapy services for younger children.
What Therapeutic Techniques Are Used with Teens?
Teen counseling incorporates art, mindfulness exercises, and animal assisted therapy adapted specifically for tweens and teens. These interactive, hands-on activities help break the ice and create a more comfortable setting for adolescents who may feel awkward or resistant to traditional talk therapy alone. A teen who might never volunteer to talk about their feelings directly will often open up naturally while creating art, practicing a mindfulness exercise, or spending time with one of the practice's therapy dogs, Loretta and Goose.
How Does Teen Counseling Connect to Play Therapy and Parent Coaching?
While play therapy is designed for younger children ages 3 to 10, many of its core principles, including nonverbal expression, creative outlets, and meeting a client where they are developmentally, carry directly into this practice's work with teens. Families who want consistent support across every age and stage often combine teen counseling with parent coaching and filial therapy, keeping communication strong at every phase of a child's development, from early childhood all the way through adolescence.
How Do I Get Started with Teen Therapy in Aledo, Texas?
Families throughout the Parker, Tarrant, Hood county area can request an appointment online or contact this practice directly to schedule an initial parent consultation. Call 817-229-7900 or visit the home page to explore this practice's full range of child, teen, and family counseling services, including play therapy, parent coaching, and animal assisted therapy.