Teen & Adolescent Therapy · NYC
Most teens don’t show up wanting therapy.
They show up because a parent thinks they need it, because something happened at school, because they’re anxious, because they can’t sleep, because they’re not themselves. Sometimes they’re skeptical. That’s a fine place to start.
What I work on with teens and young adults
Most of my teen clients aren’t in crisis. They’re navigating something real: an anxiety that’s gotten louder, a perfectionism that’s stopped feeling worth it, a friendship that fell apart, a school dynamic that isn’t working. Some are dealing with OCD, panic, depression, or social anxiety. Many are smart, self-aware kids who’d rather be doing anything else than sitting in a therapy office talking about feelings. That’s also a fine starting point.
- Anxiety, panic, and the pressure of NYC school environments
- Perfectionism that’s stopped feeling worth it
- Emotions and reactions that feel out of their control
- Friendships, social life, and the parent-teen relationship
- Big transitions: college, gap years, who they’re becoming
How I work with teens
My approach is direct, warm, and not particularly precious. Teens can tell when they’re being talked down to or worked on. I’m interested in their actual lives, not a sanitized version. We’ll figure out together what they want to work on.
In session, I’ll share what I’m noticing, ask questions they may not have been asked, and gently challenge them when something is worth pushing on. Parents stay in the loop on the structure of the work but not on what your kid says in session. That’s a clinical standard, and it’s also what makes the work possible.
My background
I’m a clinical instructor at Columbia University’s Department of Psychiatry. I spent a decade in Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health at NewYork-Presbyterian / Columbia, working with teens across diagnoses and including some of the most complex presentations. I’m formally trained in CBT, DBT, exposure-based approaches, and family-based interventions.
A note for parents
You don’t have to wait until something is really wrong. A lot of the most effective teen work happens earlier, before patterns get entrenched. If you’re unsure whether your kid would benefit, that’s a good question to start with on the consult.
Your teen has to want to come, at least a little. If they don’t, we can talk about how to have that conversation, or whether parent coaching is a better starting place for now.
Common questions
How do I know if my kid needs therapy?
A good question for the consult. Some signs: sleep is off, school is off, they’ve pulled away from friends or you, they’re more irritable than usual, or you just have a gut sense something is off. Trust the gut sense.
Do you tell parents what we talk about?
No, not the content. I’ll keep parents informed about the structure of the work, any safety concerns, and the broad themes if relevant. But what your kid says stays between us. That’s what makes the work possible.
Can we do virtual sessions?
Yes. Many teens prefer it. Some prefer in-person. We can do either or a mix.
What ages do you work with?
Mostly 13 to 25. For younger kids, I usually recommend parent coaching as the more effective starting place.
If something feels off with your teen, let’s talk.
Send a few sentences about what's going on. I'll be in touch within a few business days.
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