Therapists for Teens and Adolescents in Whittier, Minneapolis, MN
I have over 39 years experience providing therapeutic services to clients of all ages and with a variety of mental disorders. I am passionate about engaging with clients to help them find their highest potential of health and wholeness. I use a client-centered approach, letting the client determine their own path, identifying strengths and roadblocks, searching for more adaptive coping strategies. I am eager to be your personal coach. I will join you on your journey of examining where you are today and how to reach your aspirations. Together we can examine relationships, professional as well as spiritual goals.
I have over 39 years experience providing therapeutic services to clients of all ages and with a variety of mental disorders. I am passionate about engaging with clients to help them find their highest potential of health and wholeness. I use a client-centered approach, letting the client determine their own path, identifying strengths and roadblocks, searching for more adaptive coping strategies. I am eager to be your personal coach. I will join you on your journey of examining where you are today and how to reach your aspirations. Together we can examine relationships, professional as well as spiritual goals.
Helena LaFave
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LICSW
Whittier, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Waitlist for new clients
Our relationship is the most important part of our work together. The more we can get into right relationships with ourselves, each other, change, and the world around us, the better equipped we are to live a life full of meaning, joy, and awe. I am EMDR trained and utilize Internal Family Systems (IFS), trauma-informed, and relationship-oriented approaches.My values in therapy include queer and trans-affirming care, fat-affirming care, neurodivergent-affirming care, and sex positive approaches. I am happy to provide letters for gender-affirming care and surgeries.
Our relationship is the most important part of our work together. The more we can get into right relationships with ourselves, each other, change, and the world around us, the better equipped we are to live a life full of meaning, joy, and awe. I am EMDR trained and utilize Internal Family Systems (IFS), trauma-informed, and relationship-oriented approaches.My values in therapy include queer and trans-affirming care, fat-affirming care, neurodivergent-affirming care, and sex positive approaches. I am happy to provide letters for gender-affirming care and surgeries.
Hello! Do you struggle with feeling connected to your own experience? Have you struggled to process traumatic events, childhood trauma, relationship issues, or anxiety? These issues can be challenging to process on your own and I am here to be a support along the way. Do you find yourself feeling disconnected or uncomfortable in your body? I am passionate about helping people feel more grounded in their bodies. I am also here to support and help you feel more connected to your experiences.
Hello! Do you struggle with feeling connected to your own experience? Have you struggled to process traumatic events, childhood trauma, relationship issues, or anxiety? These issues can be challenging to process on your own and I am here to be a support along the way. Do you find yourself feeling disconnected or uncomfortable in your body? I am passionate about helping people feel more grounded in their bodies. I am also here to support and help you feel more connected to your experiences.
I am experienced working with adults and adolescents.
I offer a strength-based and person-centered approach. I utilize several modalities of care, including but not limited to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused and narrative therapies, psychodynamic therapy with a focus on attachment theory, internal family systems (IFS), emotion-focused, relational, and mindfulness-based interventions.
I am experienced working with adults and adolescents.
I offer a strength-based and person-centered approach. I utilize several modalities of care, including but not limited to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused and narrative therapies, psychodynamic therapy with a focus on attachment theory, internal family systems (IFS), emotion-focused, relational, and mindfulness-based interventions.
Therapy should be a place where someone can feel heard, understood, and supported. I work with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, and life transitions. Together, we explore your experiences, uncover patterns, and develop practical strategies to help you cope, grow, and build resilience.
My approach combines evidence-based techniques with empathy and collaboration, tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’re facing a specific challenge or seeking personal growth, I aim to empower you to gain insight, improve emotional well-being, and create meaningful, lasting change.
Therapy should be a place where someone can feel heard, understood, and supported. I work with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, and life transitions. Together, we explore your experiences, uncover patterns, and develop practical strategies to help you cope, grow, and build resilience.
My approach combines evidence-based techniques with empathy and collaboration, tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’re facing a specific challenge or seeking personal growth, I aim to empower you to gain insight, improve emotional well-being, and create meaningful, lasting change.
I offer telehealth therapy for individual adults and adolescents, as well as couples.
I work with individuals and couples navigating sexual health concerns, trauma, perimenopause/PMDD, emotion regulation, and interpersonal challenges. Many of these experiences can feel isolating or difficult to discuss. I provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients can explore their experiences openly. Together, we work to understand patterns, build resilience, develop healthier coping strategies, and create greater balance in life and relationships. My goal is to help clients move toward meaningful change, increased self-awareness, and a stronger sense of well-being.
I offer telehealth therapy for individual adults and adolescents, as well as couples.
I work with individuals and couples navigating sexual health concerns, trauma, perimenopause/PMDD, emotion regulation, and interpersonal challenges. Many of these experiences can feel isolating or difficult to discuss. I provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients can explore their experiences openly. Together, we work to understand patterns, build resilience, develop healthier coping strategies, and create greater balance in life and relationships. My goal is to help clients move toward meaningful change, increased self-awareness, and a stronger sense of well-being.
Nearby Teens Therapists Searches for Whittier, Minneapolis
- Calhoun
- Central
- East Isles
- Elliot Park
- Loring Park
- Lowry Hill
- Lowry Hill East
- Lyndale
- Phillips
- Stevens Square
- Uptown
- Ventura Village
FAQ - Teenage and Adolescent 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.