Being a teenager today is more overwhelming than ever. Between school, social media, identity, and family, it's a lot of weight to carry alone.
For the teenager reading this
You laugh at school and cry the second you close your bedroom door.
You're "fine" by default, even when you're really not.
You're tired in a way that sleep doesn't fix.
You scroll until 2 a.m. and feel so alone.
Everyone keeps asking if you're okay, and you don't know what to say.
If any of that landed, you're not broken, you're carrying a lot. Therapy is a space to put some of it down for an hour, with someone who isn't going to flinch, fix, or lecture you.
We'll talk about what you actually want to talk about. We'll figure out what's getting in your way, and build real tools to get past it. You can hate the word "feelings." You can ramble. You can sit in silence. You're allowed to set the pace.
What we work on most often: anxiety and panic, depression, perfectionism, self-harm, neurodivergence (ADHD, Autism), eating concerns, family conflict, school and social stress, and figuring out who you are when no one's watching.
for their parents / caregivers
They used to tell you everything. Now you get one-word answers and a closed door.
You can tell something is off, you're just not sure what, or how bad.
You're trying not to push, and trying not to lose them.
The internet has a million contradictory pieces of advice and none of it feels right.
You don't have to figure this out alone, and you don't have to hand them over to a stranger and hope for the best. I work closely with parents so you're never in the dark.
Sessions are primarily individual with your teen, that confidentiality is what makes therapy work, but I'll meet with you at the start to understand the bigger picture, and we'll check in regularly about themes, progress, and concrete ways to support your teen at home. You'll be looped in on anything safety-related, with your teen's knowledge.
The work
Sessions blend evidence-based skill-building with real conversation. We start with making sure you (or your teen) feels comfortable in the space. I promise that I won't ask about your deepest-darkest-secret. We'll laugh. We'll get into the hard stuff. We'll set goals that actually matter to you (or your teen), not the ones adults assume should matter.
For parents: I'll loop you in on themes and skills we're working on, and give you concrete ways to support your teen between sessions, without breaking the trust we're building together.
What we work on
On paper, I had it all. Soccer team, good grades, always out with friends, a smile on my face. What nobody saw was the anxiety and sadness underneath, the kind I couldn't name yet and that most of the adults in my life didn't know how to help me through either.
Eventually I found my footing and learned how to work with the anxiety, the perfectionism, and let's be real, a little teenage angst. That is exactly why I do this work as a teen therapist. I've spent my whole adult life alongside adolescents, and that didn't change when my work moved into the therapy room. In our work together I meet teens where they are, help them feel comfortable, and help them find the strength that's already theirs, so anxiety and perfectionism don't get to write the whole story. I also sit with parents to rebuild the bridge when communication isn't your teen's strong suit right now.
The best part of my job is the moment a teen, or their parent, tells me the sparkle is coming back. That's what I'm here for: the best possible relationship with yourself, and with your teen.
- Abby
FAQs
You'll be involved as much as is therapeutically helpful, and not more. I usually talk with parents at the start to understand the bigger picture, then schedule periodic check-ins (often around 3-5 sessions) where we discuss themes, progress, and how to support your teen at home.
What your teen says specifically in session is confidential, with the standard exceptions for safety. I understand that it is scary to trust a stranger for almost an hour with your child, and I never want therapy to feel secretive. That confidentiality is crucial to getting the results you and your teen are hoping for.
That's incredibly common, and it doesn't mean therapy won't work. We start small, usually with a low-pressure first session where the only goal is for your teen to decide whether they could see themselves coming back. I won't push them to perform.
Yes, both, provided your teen is medically stable enough for outpatient care. For more acute cases I'll help coordinate with a higher level of care or a treatment team, including dietitians and psychiatrists where relevant.
It varies. Some teens come for a focused 3–4 month stretch around a specific challenge; others stay longer for deeper work; others remain on my caseload for monthly or quarterly check-ins until they leave for college. We'll review progress regularly and you'll never be locked into anything.
I currently accept Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee. If you have another plan, I can provide superbills from your private-pay sessions that you can submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement. I'm happy to walk you through how to ask your insurance about this.
Sessions are typically 45–50 minutes and usually happen weekly to start. As your teen builds momentum, we may shift to every other week. We'll find a rhythm that fits your family's schedule and your teen's needs.
That's up to you. Some parents use the time to run errands or grab a coffee nearby, while others prefer to wait in the comfortable waiting area (coffee and wifi included!). For virtual sessions, your teen will just need a private, quiet space at home. If you leave the building, please make sure that you are back at least 45 minutes after the start of your teen's session.
Book a free 15-minute consultation, or send a note and I'll be in touch within a couple of business days.