Therapists for Teens in Palo Alto, CA

My ideal client is a child or adolescent who is aware of the issues that are bothering them and want help. These are clients whose parents are comfortable with them seeing a therapist and are able to speak openly with them about their diagnoses. When I am asked how long I see a client, I do not give a definite time since I have learned that issues are challenged as they make the transition to new schools or jobs. I let parents know that I take a developmental approach to psychopathology. We may stop when symptoms decrease and their coping capacity increases. If they return it is not a sign of failure but different stresses.

You have been wanting to try something different for some time now. Reach out today and we will get started.

I work with adults and teens who are coping with eating disorders, relationship issues, emotion dysregulation, depression, and anxiety. I'm well-trained and certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, and Family Based Therapy for adolescent eating disorders. Mindfulness practice is often integrated into therapy. Therapy is tailored to a client's needs and goals, and is provided in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Do you find yourself struggling? Hurting? I can help you feel better! You have the ability to THRIVE regardless of your circumstances armed with my support & many new tools in your arsenal. I can help you tap into your own resilience & ability to heal. Wherever you are at in life, whether satisfied but looking to improve, struggling daily & feeling as if the floor is about to fall out, in crisis-mode, on a journey of self-discovery, or simply looking for support from a fully present empathetic skilled partner in your personal, interpersonal & professional goals. I AM HERE FOR YOU!

How Can I Help You? ...by being a therapist you feel comfortable talking to. If you are having trouble relaxing, are worried about a loved one,are facing divorce or major illness, are feeling irritable, confused, depressed,lonely, are concerned about your teen taking risks or a child hating school talking with me can help. Talking can give you objective perspective, help you develop coping skills, lessen the isolation that makes people feel"crazy" and reduce inner turmoil that can lead to physical ailments. We work together to identify and build on your current personal strengths in this healing process.

As life unfolds, it often presents challenges that require us to adjust and adapt. Good therapy facilitates a clearer understanding of obstacles and how to overcome them to create the life we want. My approach is empathic and intellectually curious and collaborative, always keeping your goals in mind. I have learned that the questions I ask are more important than the advice I give. My clients describe me as warm, active, nonjudgmental, direct, and a gifted listener. I am also highly attuned to teens, and have developed strong relationships with even the most "difficult to reach" kids.

Merit Psychology Group is a multidisciplinary clinic that offers couples therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, teen therapy, occupational therapy, sensory integration therapy, psychological assessment, neurodevelopmental assessment, psychoeducational evaluations, and forensic assessments. We are here to help and one of our six providers will likely be able to support your needs.

I'm here to support you in your journey to regain trust in your unique strengths and overcome life's challenging situations, reach your goals, and make your life happier and more meaningful. In our sessions you will be invited to explore your deep values and motivations, and identify which aspects of your life help you move forwards, and how to separate from patterns and behaviors that are no longer useful for you. If you are an adult or a teen who suffer from anxiety, depression, burn-out, academic stress, PTSD, Sexual Trauma, relationship issues, or low self esteem, please don't give up. There is hope, and healing is possible.

I approach psychotherapy from a whole-person perspective and I believe therapy, along with other practices, can help us awaken to a life of meaning. In therapy I will help you identify the source of your longing to be whole, and together, we will move closer to that source, so you become re-sourced. Together we will explore your innate natural cycles and help you align to your own rhythm, so that you might meet depletion with rest and energy with creativity.

Welcome! As you’re looking at this site, you may be wondering if therapy can be helpful for you, your family, or your child. You or your teen or child may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, irritable, or losing sleep. You may be struggling to connect or experiencing conflict in relationships. Your teen or child may be feeling self-critical or anxious in social situations, struggling in school, or dealing with a transition, loss, or parents’ divorce. Together, we'll work to reduce stress, anxiety, or depression, improve relationships, and decrease negative thoughts and self-sabotaging behaviors.

Many of my clients want to feel better- to change their situation- with the support of someone who understands what it is like to feel lost or invisible. Many have hard jobs, work remotely, are either separated from family and friends or feeling alienated. My clients feel angry, isolated, lonely, anxious, depressed- and stuck. The couples I see are working through life's challenges and want a couple's counselor who gets them, who instead of pointing blame- finds solutions. Clients range from Hollywood to military, and teenagers to construction workers. Whatever your challenges, I will meet you there and help you navigate through.

Richard is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 45 years of experience specializing in individual and marriage and family counseling, adolescent psychotherapy, job and management counseling. He has been trained in multiple approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Collaborative Problem Solving, and significant Family Therapy strategies for resolving couple as well as parent child conflict. He has taught many parenting workshops throughout the Bay area. He is a Member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT).

East Coast upbringing meets West Coast ideology! I currently practice in both Vermont and California, and am proud to blend the progressive nature of the SF Bay with my Northern Attitude and roots. I work with families, couples, and individuals, supporting folks through life transitions, work stress, tough relationships, and difficult adolescent periods. I approach our work with a sense of directness, candor, and humor. I promise I can not only handle your tough stuff, but help you through to the other side. Our work together will be fulfilling and never boring, and I'll help you take control of your life in ways you never dreamed.

I have been a licensed therapist since 2004. I work primarily with adolescents and their families, as well as with adults. I have a great deal of experience working with teens and their families around issues such as chore compliance, school refusal, and helping teens begin the process of picking and apllying for college.

Building strong relationships with clients is one of the unique privileges of this work. I work with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, emotion dysregulation, interpersonal challenges, life stressors, and issues related to athlete mental health. With every client, I attempt to identify an effective way to discuss stressors that is both non-threatening and developmentally appropriate. I am committed to implementing tailored, evidence-based interventions, to affect meaningful change. In creating a collaborative environment characterized by genuineness and authenticity, I hope to empower clients to achieve their goals.

It is my firm belief that people do their best with the situations life hands them. My goal as a therapist is to help people work through their stuck places, let go of old behaviors that helped them survive in the past but are no longer useful, and learn new behaviors that will contribute to greater enjoyment and connection in their lives. I see myself as an active guide in this process, and I am enriched by seeing people learn to accept themselves and others, and thus live the fullest and most satisfying life possible.

With over 15 years of licensed experience providing therapy in the state of California, I have treated a diversity of clients with a wide array of struggles and strengths. We will work together to create a solid plan that meets your needs using therapeutic techniques that the research has shown will help make improvements in the shortest amount of time. To put it simply, the people I meet with for individual or couples therapy often get better in a short amount of time. The path to "better" looks different for each person/couple and I enjoy figuring that puzzle out.

I understand that reaching out for support can be difficult, and it is important to find a therapist you feel you can build a strong relationship with to reach your goals. I'd like to share a bit about myself and my approach, to help you decide if we may be a good fit to work together. My goal is to create a safe space for you to learn new strategies to cope with difficult emotions and build a life that aligns with your values. My approach tends to be collaborative and engaging. I integrate research-based treatments (including mindfulness, CBT, DBT) with empathy, warmth, and compassion to help you create positive change in your life

Life is hard enough for your teen – then you throw in puberty, a slow-growing prefrontal cortex, social media pressures, academic pressure, family conflict, peer conflict, maybe even a biological tendency to be more emotionally sensitive – and ta-da! The perfect Petri dish for anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues has been created. Or maybe your child hasn’t hit teenagehood yet, but they’re exhibiting problem behaviors and/or emotion dysregulation that you both could use some help managing. My goal is to help you and your child make sense of what's happening and together find ways to improve your quality of life.