Teen Therapists in Walnut Creek, CA
See all therapists in Walnut Creek
Carrie Paulus
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, MFT
Verified
Verified
At any age, there are developmental, transitional and often unexpected circumstances that challenge us in life.
Be it aspects of parenting, the social or emotional challenges of being a child or
teenager
, or concerns about life transitions as an adult, my approach is safe and comfortable. I work from a place of patience, sincerity, humor and nonjudgement. I want the counseling experience for my clients to feel helpful, worthwhile and to be a journey to better understanding and personal growth.

Allison Gans
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I work with children, teens and adults. In addition to my private practice, I also work as a Crisis Counselor at a high school in Lafayette. I work individually to find better ways to cope with the presenting problem at hand. Perhaps your child or
teen
is having difficulties in school, making friends and/or struggling to get along with family members or peers. I can help with these issues. I help my clients explore ways to make healthier life choices. I collaborate with parents and teachers to help them set up a more successful experience for the child or
teen
.

Rob Park
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
Hello, my name is Rob Park, and I am a licensed psychologist in California. Are you a child,
teen
, young adult, or the parent/guardian of one, finding that there is a LOT going on in life, and feel anxious, overwhelmed, and stressed-out? I have over 19 years of experience providing an emotionally safe, validating environment in which to engage young people and their parents/guardians in this collaborative task of therapy. I aspire to provide support and skill-development for kids and teens, as well as providing support to parents and guardians in the difficult role of raising a family.

Jamie Edwards
MS, LEP
Verified
Verified
Welcome! Is your child,
teen
, or young adult struggling with emotional issues (e.g. anxiety, depression, mood disorder, ADHD/executive dysfunction, neurodiversity, etc.) and/or school/educational issues (e.g. learning differences, poor academic performance, behavior issues, school avoidance, etc.)? I specialize in providing counseling and evaluations to youth experiencing learning, social or emotional difficulties. I partner with families in developing goals so your child can succeed and develop a positive self-concept.

Brian La Roy Jones
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Are you tired of feeling rejected, lonely, confused, anxious, depressed, or just plain stuck? If so, then I can show you how you can experience feeling connected, peaceful, empowered, energized, and feeling good. I'm not in the “symptom reduction” business – like most therapists. Whether you're a
teen
, adult, or couple, my focus is helping clients just like you experience MORE. Picture experiencing not just less of something but more...hope, love, self-control, happiness, fulfillment, freedom, confidence, affection, compassion, trust, acceptance, validation, and feeling understood.

John A Barakos Jr
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
When you're in crisis with your
teen
you need support to sort out how to respond and calm things down, once calm, families need a plan to resolve the underlying issues that keep conflict going.
Hello! I am an MFT and I specialize in managing conflict, I can help when it seems that you are constantly battling with your child. I work in the short term to stabalize the situation and get everyone back to the table. Then we work together to resolve the underlying issues. I mostly work with at risk adolescents and their families. These are young people who have had conflicts at home, trouble at school and/or trouble with the law.

Alexa Boffoli
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Your
teen
, your family or you yourself are struggling. The struggle could be overall life changes, an increase in conflict/parenting issues, depression, anxiety, trauma, or an eating disorder. Through individual, parent and/or family counseling we will deepen emotional awareness, create coping skills to handle stressors, build connection and generate hope for you and your families future.

Deidre Doyle
PhD, LEP, NCSP, PPSC
Verified
Verified
If your child,
teen
, or young adult is struggling academically, emotionally, or socially, I am here to help. As an Educational Psychologist with years of experience, I am uniquely qualified to evaluate your child's learning style and create a plan that helps them succeed in school. I specialize in the intervention and assessment of individuals with Learning Disabilities, ADHD, Intellectual Disabilities, and Emotional Disorders.
An evaluation can uncover the causes of your child's difficulties with learning, behavior, or social functioning. The focus is on attention, memory, reasoning, and emotional functioning. Results provide parents with diagnoses and intervention recommendations.

Andrew Lindeman
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Is your child struggling with behavior problems, ADHD, depression or anxiety? Are you looking for a therapist with experience working with Autism (and Aspergers) Spectrum Disorders? I specialize in working with children and teens and have over 17 years of experience working with these populations. I have worked as a Behavior Therapist for children on the Autistic spectrum, have taught my own Day Treatment Intensive classroom (for children with extreme behavior challenges) and have worked for Contra Costa County Child and
Adolescent
Services. I have also worked in the Juvenile Justice department of Los Angeles County with Juvenile offenders.

Arwin Cotas-Girard, PsyD
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
I am a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in child and
adolescent
therapy and comprehensive psychological assessment services for all ages. I also specialize in the evaluation of Autism Spectrum Disorder, particularly for girls and women. I am trained in Therapeutic Assessments and consider my evaluations to be brief therapeutic interventions that may allow healing and change to occur through the process of self-discovery and reworking of narratives. I work collaboratively with my clients, their caregivers, and other important people and systems in their lives to gain a comprehensive understanding of their needs.

Michael Cheney
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
I have helped my
adolescent
and young adult clients reach their potentials through individual and family therapy, and through consultation with school staff and psychiatric hospital staff.
Using insight-oriented and cognitive-behavioral approaches, I have developed an effective psychotherapeutic technique that has helped individuals gain relief from symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, uncontrollable anger, obsessive compulsive disorder, alcohol/substance abuse, and child acting-out behaviors.
I am a Licensed Psychologist and a member of the American Psychological Association and the California Psychological Association. My clinical focus is in providing psychotherapy to children, adolescents and adults. I see individuals, couples and families.
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Waitlist for new clients

Barbara Peterson
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
I enjoy working with adolescents and adults with a wide range of presenting concerns. I provide both individual and family psychotherapy, as well as conduct psychological testing. I work within a collaborative model, integrating treatment techniques to develop individualized interventions. I develop specific goals together with clients and their families, and work closely with physicians and other referring professionals to coordinate treatment. I have particular expertise in treating sexual abuse and trauma, depression and bipolar disorders, and
adolescent
behavioral and emotional disturbances.
Not accepting new clients

Dorothy A Kruse
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I am currently not taking new clients. Are you feeling emotions that are difficult to handle; issues surfacing that you're ready to take a look at? Feeling stressed, anxious or depressed? Possibly your relationships are strained or unsatisfying. Maybe you're struggling with parenting a
teenager
, or you are a
teenager
wanting someone to listen? These are all areas of interest to me. I have worked with individuals, couples for over 22 years and am still amazed that while therapy is often not easy, it is truly worth the effort for most people. I have a calm, supportive, interactive style and welcome working with you.

Stephen Sperber
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, LMFT
Verified
Verified
My areas of specialization include but are not limited to: improving problem solving and communication, couples/marriage counseling, premarital counseling, parenting/step-parenting,
adolescent
issues, anxiety/depression, divorce recovery and addiction/codependency.
We can all use help dealing with life's challenges. I have more than thirty years of experience helping adolescents, adults, couples and families through tough times. My goal is to help you deal with problems, become more aware of your feelings, face sensitive issues and achieve personal growth. Our work together will enable you to develop the strengths and skills that allow you to deal effectively with life's challenges. Clients have reported that I am a good listener and create a warm and friendly environment in which they feel supported in the pursuit of solutions to their problems. I use a variety of theoretical approaches,

Private Practice
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
EMDR therapist in the East Bay specialized in Trauma / PTSD, Marriage Counseling, Food Issues / Disordered Eating, Anxiety, LGBTQ, Depression, Women's Issues, Spirituality, Life Transitions, Adoption, Parenting, and
Teen
Issues. I regularly see Couples, Families, Teens and Adults ranging from early adolescence to late 60's.

Audrey Rose Majerczak
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Therapy can be an opportunity to optimize your flow and balance of life. Together we’ll enrich the skills to empower yourself and your relationships. For the couple: learning and redefining your relationship and how to maximize each others strengths to build not just a lasting relationship, but a relationship that inspires awe. For teens: let's just talk like adults! Helping teens to find their voice and place, balance behaviors to project forward towards their future. Whatever you are looking for we can start now. Contact me for individual,
teen
or couples therapy.

Patricia E. Zurita Ona 'dr. Z.'
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
Z the author of the book “parenting a troubled
teen
: using acceptance and commitment therapy,” for parents or caregivers raising teens struggling with “feeling too much, too quick, and acting too soon.
Understanding "why or how" a problem has become a problem is not enough; "doing something about it" is what matters. If we work together, we'll come up with a treatment plan to tap into the drivers of your struggles and start making a shift. I encourage behavioral-change processes based on your personal values and what's keeping you stuck. If you're not ready to make a change, let's help you move from stuckness to readiness. I specialize in Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). www.eastbaybehaviortherapycenter.com

Richard Barnes Eating Disorder Specialty
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Having spent the past 8 years, working with individuals on this journey, on a daily basis, as Program Director for Center Discovery's
Adolescent
Residential Treatment Center for Eating Disorders, and as Clinical Director at Monte Nido & Affiliates Adult Residential Treatment Center for Eating Disorders, I can offer the specialized support and guidance.
Treating individuals who struggle with an eating disorder takes a provider who has extensive experience in the treatment of eating disorders. One who understands the complexity and power of the eating disorder, and the patience and understanding that is needed to support an individual on the challenging journey towards recovery, maintaining recovery, and relapse prevention. Most often, this journey involves not only the client, but their family and support system as well.

TheraThrive Counseling & Assessment
Counselor, PhD, LPCC, BC-TMH
Verified
10 Endorsed
Verified
10 Endorsed
If you feel overwhelmed by anxiety, high sensitivity, loneliness or relationship problems, or if your child or
teen
struggles with excessive worry, moodiness or sadness, you don't need to manage alone. We are a group of authentic and interactive therapists who are strengths-based in our approach. Let us help you (or your child,
teen
, family member) gain insight and understanding, learn emotional regulation, improve your relationships, alleviate stress and anxiety, improve satisfaction at work/school, and experience well-being, exuberance for life, and empowerment. www.TheraThrive.com
Not accepting new clients

Crystal Blanton
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, SUDCCIV
Verified
Verified
Experience with
adolescent
, adult and family focused services.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 20 years of experience in the counseling field. I have worked with culturally diverse populations in a variety of settings to support with concerns related to depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse, and other life challenges. I am always honored to work with people who are in some stage of uncovering the next steps in achieving balance, wellness, and feelings of self fulfillment by exploring the intersecting elements of a person's experiences.
See more therapy options for
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.