Counseling for Teens
I help teens who struggle with anxiety, depression, and chronic stress; or who have experienced trauma, grief, illness, adoption and difficult family transitions.
Being a teen is challenging.
Your teenager is creative, kindhearted and a high achiever, but you may notice a change in their mood, appearance, relationships and academics that’s beyond the typical “teen stuff.”
Your teen is tired of struggling with feeling overwhelmed, perfectionism, low self-worth, difficulty handling conflict with their family and peers, feeling ambushed by anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. Your teen doesn’t have to have to live in fear of having a panic attack, or avoid that next social situation, or fear that their anxiety or depression will worsen.
I remember how hard it was for me growing up, and it's even harder now with social media and cyber bullying. Many teens experience emotional and physical changes while establishing their identity. Helping your teen navigate stressful changes and increasing social pressures can be difficult. That is why I specialize in counseling for teens in Phoenix, AZ. When these stressors are coupled with the pains of trauma or loss, their stress is intensified, which can leave them feeling lonely and confused. I want to help them move forward and feel like they have a sense of control in their lives.
Common symptoms teens experience:
Being a teen can be hard. Identifying if its normal teenage hormones or something more can be difficult. Here are some common symptoms that can help you see if your child needs help and could benefit from teen counseling in Phoenix, AZ:
Worry
Feeling on edge
Irritability
Feeling “keyed up”
Lack of concentration
Restlessness
Difficulty falling and/or staying asleep
Unexplained outbursts
Avoiding social interactions
Loss of interests in meaningful activities
Withdrawn
Distressing dreams
Isolating from family
Isolating from peer group
Procrastinates
Negative change in grades
Counseling can give your teen a safe and supportive space to process his/her problems and explore solutions. Your teen can stop struggling and get the help they need for lasting change.
As a result of counseling for teens your child will…
Learn coping skills to help them through challenging experiences;
Learn how to express and experience their emotions;
Develop a positive sense of self and learn how to be kind to themselves and others;
Deepen their relationship with parents and family;
Process the issues they don’t have words for.
Counseling can help your teen go from surviving to thriving!
For Parents of Teens:
Feeling connected to your teen and being able to meet their needs is important, but this can be confusing for parents. If your teen's behavior triggers you, I help parents every step of the way and offer parent support services to help you and your children achieve a more peaceful and loving family!
You and I are going into this as a team - maybe you’ll be accompanying your teen to our therapy sessions and we’ll process things together. Other times, I’ll check in periodically on individual progress. I’m not here to tell you you’re a bad parent or that your teen is beyond help. That’s not how this works. Together we can work with your teen to make achievable, realistic goals that will guide you teen to become the best version of themselves. I am willing to refer interested parents to a therapist who works directly with the parent on their individual issues, if you feel this would best serve your families overall growth.
In order to help your teen realize these solutions, I utilize mind-body based therapies like, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Somatic Experiencing® and Brainspotting® are evidenced-based modalities based on the latest neuroscience. I approach therapy for teens with an integrative approach to find the best fit for your teen. EMDR, Brainspotting®, and Somatic Experiencing® are not only effective for trauma, and loss, but also panic symptoms, anxiety, depression and self-confidence.
What is holding you back from from starting counseling?
Maybe your teen has a busy and demanding schedule, and you just can’t see how they could squeeze one more thing in or you know this is a good fit, but you live outside of the Phoenix metro area or you’re concerned about in-person sessions during the pandemic. Your concerns are valid. I offer online therapy in Phoenix, AZ to meet these needs and it’s just as effective as in-person sessions. The good news is therapy will help decrease anxiety and depression symptoms which will result in improved functioning. Or maybe you’re worried you are overreacting and hoping she/he will grow out of this phase. Your teen is still hitting developmental and biological milestones, but if these issues are left unaddressed that could have a significant impact on their emotional well-being. That is why beginning therapy for teen counseling in Phoenix, AZ today is crucial.
Begin counseling for your teen in Phoenix, AZ and surrounding areas
If you and your teen are struggling right now, you don’t need to go on in distress. Counseling can help find balance and overcome some of life’s big stressors. My Phoenix, Arizona counseling practice offers several types of highly effective therapeutic modalities for teens in Phoenix, AZ (and online therapy from any where in the state) for healing, and lasting change. More than ever teens need support. Not only will your teen walk away with the tools they need to navigate difficult times, but you will also have the tools to support them and strengthen your relationship. To begin your teen in counseling follow these simple steps:
Meet with Tahirih, a skilled, and caring therapist
Let’s begin crafting the skills your teen in order to thrive!
Other Counseling and Mental Health Services specialties Tahirih Herrera, LCSW provides:
Counseling for teens in Phoenix, AZ isn’t the only service I offer in my Phoenix, AZ practice. Other areas of focus and mental health services Tahirih Herrera, LCSW Counseling provides include: therapy for children, grief and loss therapy, pre-teen therapy, EMDR, trauma, and grief and loss, and anxiety treatment. All these services are available via online therapy in Arizona. I am excited to work with you, get in touch today to begin your counseling journey.
“We can’t plan life. All we can do is be available for it.”
– Lauryn Hill