Therapists for Teens in Oakland, CA

My clients are people struggling with a transition in their lives; initiating independence as a teenager or young adult, wrestling with a new gender or new role as a significant other / parent, newly dealing with depression, traumatic memories or substance abuse.
I specialize in treating individuals, couples and families who have had complicated or difficult life experiences which has lead to problematic patterns or chaotic relationships.
My clients are people struggling with a transition in their lives; initiating independence as a teenager or young adult, wrestling with a new gender or new role as a significant other / parent, newly dealing with depression, traumatic memories or substance abuse.
I specialize in treating individuals, couples and families who have had complicated or difficult life experiences which has lead to problematic patterns or chaotic relationships.

Are you worried about your child or teen and unsure how to support them?
I specialize in helping kids and their caregivers navigate issues related to divorce, ADHD, traumatic events and emotional dysregulation. I focus on creating a safe, affirming space and offer interventions customized for your family’s unique needs. Your family's priorities are the foundation for the goals we work on to make life feel better for everyone.
Are you worried about your child or teen and unsure how to support them?
I specialize in helping kids and their caregivers navigate issues related to divorce, ADHD, traumatic events and emotional dysregulation. I focus on creating a safe, affirming space and offer interventions customized for your family’s unique needs. Your family's priorities are the foundation for the goals we work on to make life feel better for everyone.

I approach therapy based on the individuality of each adult, teen, and child, and their personal needs.
It can be difficult for both parents and youth to reach out for help; many just shut down. Having a specialization in children and adolescence allows me to assist youth and parent(s) with their relationship with self and others. Supporting families of children and youth in the development of healthy relationships is a necessity for healing.
I approach therapy based on the individuality of each adult, teen, and child, and their personal needs.
It can be difficult for both parents and youth to reach out for help; many just shut down. Having a specialization in children and adolescence allows me to assist youth and parent(s) with their relationship with self and others. Supporting families of children and youth in the development of healthy relationships is a necessity for healing.

From my Masters Degree at Hahnemann Medical University in Philadelphia, in the early 1980s, to my post-doctoral fellowship at Stanford University, I have extensive experience and expertise in individual depth psychotherapy, addictions treatment, couples, teen, and group therapy.
I work primarily with relationships; your relationship to yourself, to others, to your future, and to your past. With over 30 years in practice, I use a collaborative style with my clients. Self esteem, depression, anxiety, parenting issues, infertility, life transitions, adult children of alcoholics, addiction, trauma, and couples therapy, are my expertise. I specialize in helping couples improve communication and intimacy while creating more secure relationships. I see adults and adolescents and supervise psychologists in training. I often see people who are stuck in negative patterns and struggling to change.
From my Masters Degree at Hahnemann Medical University in Philadelphia, in the early 1980s, to my post-doctoral fellowship at Stanford University, I have extensive experience and expertise in individual depth psychotherapy, addictions treatment, couples, teen, and group therapy.
I work primarily with relationships; your relationship to yourself, to others, to your future, and to your past. With over 30 years in practice, I use a collaborative style with my clients. Self esteem, depression, anxiety, parenting issues, infertility, life transitions, adult children of alcoholics, addiction, trauma, and couples therapy, are my expertise. I specialize in helping couples improve communication and intimacy while creating more secure relationships. I see adults and adolescents and supervise psychologists in training. I often see people who are stuck in negative patterns and struggling to change.

Raymond J Sutton
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
1 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94602
Waitlist for new clients
It is my passion to work with pre- adolescent, adolescent, and transitional age youth as well as young adults.
I specialize in working with youth of all ages, young adults, parents, and families. I have over 10 years of experience working in all school levels as a counselor, instructor, dean, and therapist. My experience has contributed to my systems minded approach which allows me to better understand the factors negatively impacting my clients.
It is my passion to work with pre- adolescent, adolescent, and transitional age youth as well as young adults.
I specialize in working with youth of all ages, young adults, parents, and families. I have over 10 years of experience working in all school levels as a counselor, instructor, dean, and therapist. My experience has contributed to my systems minded approach which allows me to better understand the factors negatively impacting my clients.

I approach my therapy work with this attitude of collaboration, whether you're an adult dealing with depression, an adolescent experiencing anxiety, or a couple in need of reaching shared understanding.
I often work with adults and adolescents who hold diverse identities and backgrounds, including immigrants and their children, LGBTQ+ folk, and others who've experienced feeling out-of-place in society. My background in education means I regularly work with students of all ages and my experience in the arts helps me with creative types, including in tech.
I approach my therapy work with this attitude of collaboration, whether you're an adult dealing with depression, an adolescent experiencing anxiety, or a couple in need of reaching shared understanding.
I often work with adults and adolescents who hold diverse identities and backgrounds, including immigrants and their children, LGBTQ+ folk, and others who've experienced feeling out-of-place in society. My background in education means I regularly work with students of all ages and my experience in the arts helps me with creative types, including in tech.

Accepting new adult and adolescent clients residing in California and New York.
Do you describe yourself as a “people pleaser”? Perhaps frozen from imposter syndrome or perfectionism? Feeling dissatisfied with your life or work? I've worked with adults, children, and teens experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Additionally, I have experience in working with people diagnosed with ADHD, as they often need support for longtime feelings of inadequacy, regret, anxiety, and depression .
Accepting new adult and adolescent clients residing in California and New York.
Do you describe yourself as a “people pleaser”? Perhaps frozen from imposter syndrome or perfectionism? Feeling dissatisfied with your life or work? I've worked with adults, children, and teens experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Additionally, I have experience in working with people diagnosed with ADHD, as they often need support for longtime feelings of inadequacy, regret, anxiety, and depression .

Along with adult and teen individuals, I also work with couples, polycules, and chosen families—be they friends, lovers, relatives, colleagues or cohabitants—to help you communicate more effectively, heal past ruptures, and get your needs met.
Are you struggling to feel connected and understood in your relationships? Maybe you’re uncertain about your purpose in life, facing challenges in managing your day-to-day wellbeing, or feeling a sense of unworthiness or failure? I am here to help you identify what’s blocking you from being your best self and to help you feel more empowered in your everyday life. Whether you need support increasing your capacity to move through emotions, thoughts, or behaviors getting in your way, or you want to embrace each day with more clarity, joy, and sense of purpose, I will be there to help you through your journey.
Along with adult and teen individuals, I also work with couples, polycules, and chosen families—be they friends, lovers, relatives, colleagues or cohabitants—to help you communicate more effectively, heal past ruptures, and get your needs met.
Are you struggling to feel connected and understood in your relationships? Maybe you’re uncertain about your purpose in life, facing challenges in managing your day-to-day wellbeing, or feeling a sense of unworthiness or failure? I am here to help you identify what’s blocking you from being your best self and to help you feel more empowered in your everyday life. Whether you need support increasing your capacity to move through emotions, thoughts, or behaviors getting in your way, or you want to embrace each day with more clarity, joy, and sense of purpose, I will be there to help you through your journey.

Teen anxiety support group accepting ongoing referrals.
Clinical psychologist specializing in treatment of children and adolescents through a cognitive-behavioral and family systems oriented lens. Currently offering two groups for children ages 5-12 targeting emotional regulation/social skills and anxiety. Also offering group therapy for anxious teens. I am not accepting individual clients at this time.
Teen anxiety support group accepting ongoing referrals.
Clinical psychologist specializing in treatment of children and adolescents through a cognitive-behavioral and family systems oriented lens. Currently offering two groups for children ages 5-12 targeting emotional regulation/social skills and anxiety. Also offering group therapy for anxious teens. I am not accepting individual clients at this time.

Are you a parent trying to support your child/ teen as they face their own challenges?
I’ve been working with people from a wide variety of backgrounds, identities, and ages with varied needs for over a decade. I work from a culturally responsive and integrative approach. While meeting my clients’ specific needs and circumstances, I always hold the importance of building a trusting relationship as the core of any therapy.
Are you a parent trying to support your child/ teen as they face their own challenges?
I’ve been working with people from a wide variety of backgrounds, identities, and ages with varied needs for over a decade. I work from a culturally responsive and integrative approach. While meeting my clients’ specific needs and circumstances, I always hold the importance of building a trusting relationship as the core of any therapy.

My particular areas of focus include: individual child, adolescent and adult therapy, adoption, and working with LGBTQQIA2S youth, adults, and families.
I am well trained as a licensed Clinical Psychologist with more than 20 years of experience providing individual therapy to children, adolescents and adults. I strive to create a genuine relationship with my clients to allow for collaborative exploration of the areas in their lives that interfere with personal fulfillment. My approach also involves listening actively, building trust, being curious, providing empathy, and making direct comments to help my clients develop greater awareness about themselves and the patterns in their lives that cause emotional distress or relationship difficulties. This allows my clients to grow and to live more meaningful lives.
My particular areas of focus include: individual child, adolescent and adult therapy, adoption, and working with LGBTQQIA2S youth, adults, and families.
I am well trained as a licensed Clinical Psychologist with more than 20 years of experience providing individual therapy to children, adolescents and adults. I strive to create a genuine relationship with my clients to allow for collaborative exploration of the areas in their lives that interfere with personal fulfillment. My approach also involves listening actively, building trust, being curious, providing empathy, and making direct comments to help my clients develop greater awareness about themselves and the patterns in their lives that cause emotional distress or relationship difficulties. This allows my clients to grow and to live more meaningful lives.

You might be a teen or adult needing help working through life's challenges, a couple navigating your relationship or preparing for children, or a parent seeking support for your child or with parent coaching.
I am broadly trained and adjust my approach based on the challenges and needs of each client. I use Child-Centered Play Therapy with children under 10 and in my treatment of teens and adults, I draw on Humanistic or Client-Centered therapy, Attachment theory, mindfulness, and parts work. With couples, I use Emotionally Focused Therapy.
You might be a teen or adult needing help working through life's challenges, a couple navigating your relationship or preparing for children, or a parent seeking support for your child or with parent coaching.
I am broadly trained and adjust my approach based on the challenges and needs of each client. I use Child-Centered Play Therapy with children under 10 and in my treatment of teens and adults, I draw on Humanistic or Client-Centered therapy, Attachment theory, mindfulness, and parts work. With couples, I use Emotionally Focused Therapy.

I am a licensed psychologist with specialized training and experience in child, adolescent and family therapy. I work with people of all ages and life stages dealing with the high-pressures of life that can affect relationships or leave you feeling stuck or unhappy. I love the collaborative work of therapy and will work hard to help you identify changes that can be made to positively impact your relationships, career and self. Together, we can puzzle things out together, break down your goals into manageable steps and build a more fulfilling life. Sometimes, you need someone to help you get started and guide you to stay on course.
I am a licensed psychologist with specialized training and experience in child, adolescent and family therapy. I work with people of all ages and life stages dealing with the high-pressures of life that can affect relationships or leave you feeling stuck or unhappy. I love the collaborative work of therapy and will work hard to help you identify changes that can be made to positively impact your relationships, career and self. Together, we can puzzle things out together, break down your goals into manageable steps and build a more fulfilling life. Sometimes, you need someone to help you get started and guide you to stay on course.

I provide both testing and therapy services to adult and adolescent clients via telehealth.
I started specializing in neurodivergence as soon as I realized that there were many others who have also struggled to understand who they are and be accepted in a neurotypical society. If like me, you have always felt different, and are now wondering about what makes you different, it may be time for a formal assessment or therapy with a specialist. This is especially important if you are looking for neurodivergent-specific supports (e.g., online groups, books), personalized recommendations (i.e., "what next?", at-home strategies), and accommodations at work/school.
I provide both testing and therapy services to adult and adolescent clients via telehealth.
I started specializing in neurodivergence as soon as I realized that there were many others who have also struggled to understand who they are and be accepted in a neurotypical society. If like me, you have always felt different, and are now wondering about what makes you different, it may be time for a formal assessment or therapy with a specialist. This is especially important if you are looking for neurodivergent-specific supports (e.g., online groups, books), personalized recommendations (i.e., "what next?", at-home strategies), and accommodations at work/school.

Our Art Therapists each have a variety of specialties such as: anxiety, ADHD, Autism, depression/mood disorders, trauma, substance-abuse, grief, life transitions, self-harm, suicidal ideation and child/ adolescent therapy.
Are you looking for a new creative way to deal with difficulties in life and get in touch with your best self? Do you feel like you’ve tried everything with your child, but they struggle to benefit from traditional talk therapy? As art therapists, we incorporate talk therapy with art making to help our clients unlock their creative potential, look at problems with fresh eyes, and develop new creative coping skills for managing difficult emotions. If you or your child is feeling blocked by past trauma, stuck in destructive patterns, or overwhelmed by depression or anxiety, then I encourage you to reach out. You are not alone.
Our Art Therapists each have a variety of specialties such as: anxiety, ADHD, Autism, depression/mood disorders, trauma, substance-abuse, grief, life transitions, self-harm, suicidal ideation and child/ adolescent therapy.
Are you looking for a new creative way to deal with difficulties in life and get in touch with your best self? Do you feel like you’ve tried everything with your child, but they struggle to benefit from traditional talk therapy? As art therapists, we incorporate talk therapy with art making to help our clients unlock their creative potential, look at problems with fresh eyes, and develop new creative coping skills for managing difficult emotions. If you or your child is feeling blocked by past trauma, stuck in destructive patterns, or overwhelmed by depression or anxiety, then I encourage you to reach out. You are not alone.

My philosophy in working with adults & teen is to share cognitive and mindfulness techniques, in a supportive setting, to help my clients make positive changes in their thoughts and actions.
I offer a wholistic approach to mental wellness that includes a combo of my trained skills in somatic therapies and cognitive behavioral therapies. My approach will help you change your thoughts and also become more present in your life for happiness. I am an active therapist and will guide you to your goals. You can expect both process and skill building.
My philosophy in working with adults & teen is to share cognitive and mindfulness techniques, in a supportive setting, to help my clients make positive changes in their thoughts and actions.
I offer a wholistic approach to mental wellness that includes a combo of my trained skills in somatic therapies and cognitive behavioral therapies. My approach will help you change your thoughts and also become more present in your life for happiness. I am an active therapist and will guide you to your goals. You can expect both process and skill building.

Are you a teen feeling the weight of academic pressure, social dynamics, or family expectations?
We supports individuals, couples, and teens through life’s challenges. We offer couples therapy, sex and intimacy counseling, and adolescent mental health support. Using CBT, DBT, and mindfulness, we help clients manage stress, anxiety, grief, and relationship struggles. Our goal is to build emotional resilience, deeper connections, and lasting well-being.
Are you a teen feeling the weight of academic pressure, social dynamics, or family expectations?
We supports individuals, couples, and teens through life’s challenges. We offer couples therapy, sex and intimacy counseling, and adolescent mental health support. Using CBT, DBT, and mindfulness, we help clients manage stress, anxiety, grief, and relationship struggles. Our goal is to build emotional resilience, deeper connections, and lasting well-being.

Teen mental health issues are something I am very comfortable sitting with.
Telling your story, and making space for the feelings, in front of another person is courageous and can be healing. The human experience is an exhausting one. Acknowledging its impact on your functioning, and where that comes from, can help you access the meaning and beauty life has to offer. My aim is to help you alleviate your pain by fostering a non-judgmental, safe space. With curiosity, we’ll explore your story to become more aware of your feelings and patterns of relating to yourself and to others toward deeper fulfillment.
Teen mental health issues are something I am very comfortable sitting with.
Telling your story, and making space for the feelings, in front of another person is courageous and can be healing. The human experience is an exhausting one. Acknowledging its impact on your functioning, and where that comes from, can help you access the meaning and beauty life has to offer. My aim is to help you alleviate your pain by fostering a non-judgmental, safe space. With curiosity, we’ll explore your story to become more aware of your feelings and patterns of relating to yourself and to others toward deeper fulfillment.

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in child and adolescent development with over 15 years of experience working with children, teens and families.
I specialize in treating childhood and adolescent anxiety and depression. I collaborate with parents to address behavioral problems as well as emotional challenges at home and school. I provide parent consultations regarding various developmental challenges such as sleeping, feeding, establishing routines, and reflective parenting.
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in child and adolescent development with over 15 years of experience working with children, teens and families.
I specialize in treating childhood and adolescent anxiety and depression. I collaborate with parents to address behavioral problems as well as emotional challenges at home and school. I provide parent consultations regarding various developmental challenges such as sleeping, feeding, establishing routines, and reflective parenting.

I look forward to hearing from you and supporting your child or teen.
I am a queer Afro-Latinx (Dominican-American) mom, spiritual activist, former pre-school teacher with experience working with children, adolescents, young adults and families. I am bilingual in Spanish and English. I am excited to support BIPOC, LGBTQAI+, children and youth healing from dissociation, feeling disconnected to self and recovering from childhood and recent traumas. I love supporting children, teens and parents of all ages to deepen their relationship to self as a spiritual practice. When appropriate clients and I explore how family, society, identities and individual perceptions affect their current situation.
I look forward to hearing from you and supporting your child or teen.
I am a queer Afro-Latinx (Dominican-American) mom, spiritual activist, former pre-school teacher with experience working with children, adolescents, young adults and families. I am bilingual in Spanish and English. I am excited to support BIPOC, LGBTQAI+, children and youth healing from dissociation, feeling disconnected to self and recovering from childhood and recent traumas. I love supporting children, teens and parents of all ages to deepen their relationship to self as a spiritual practice. When appropriate clients and I explore how family, society, identities and individual perceptions affect their current situation.
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Nearby Teen Therapists Searches for Oakland
- Alameda
- Albany
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- Emeryville
- Kensington
- Lafayette
- Moraga
- Orinda
- Piedmont
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Teen Therapists
What does therapy for teenagers look like?
When a therapist works with a teenager, the pair will talk about what the teen is struggling with and explore solutions, which may involve interpersonal skills, coping strategies, medication, or lifestyle changes related to sleep, diet, and exercise. Different therapists employ different modalities, but most involve a combination of conversation and skill building.
How long does therapy for teenagers generally take to work?
There’s variability in teenagers’ experiences and challenges; some may begin to improve from therapy within a few weeks while others may take several months or longer. Teens can discuss their progress with their therapist periodically to assess how they’re improving and any changes to the treatment plan that could potentially accelerate that progress.
How do you encourage a teenager to go to therapy?
It’s helpful to express your concern and love while framing therapy as an opportunity to explore a tool that could help improve their life; just like they practice baseball or dance, now they can practice their emotional skills. Give your teen control over the process where you can—maybe by weighing in on choice of therapist and signaling that therapy involves confidentiality, so a parent need not know all that is discussed in sessions.
How do you prepare teens for therapy?
You can prepare your teenager for therapy by describing what the process will look like and setting expectations for timeline, if requested. You can explain that the first session may begin with an assessment phase, that they can describe their experiences but that the therapist will ask questions too, and that it may take time to feel comfortable opening up. Ask how they’re feeling about the process and answer any questions calmly and supportively.