Your tween or teen doesn’t seem like themselves. You notice they become irritable or seem more stressed out then usual. Sure, they have a lot going on, but they always have so you’re not sure what has changed. You’re worried they might have a breakdown or panic attack, or maybe they already have. They don’t want to worry you either, so they won’t let you in.

Therapy can help

With the right support, your teen can manage stress better, be kinder to themselves, and be confident in feeling like they are enough. They can communicate better and have a healthy outlet to express their feelings. They can have a space to feel understood and heard. Your teen will be stepping out of their comfort zone more and feeling good about it.

FAQs

How do I talk to my teen about therapy?

I have created a teen info and FAQ section to help with this. Coming from a place of love and understanding can help you talk to your teen about therapy. Let them know you are concerned and think therapy can help. It can be helpful to share that therapy is a space just for them to talk privately about some things they might be experiencing. For tweens or teens who are a little more apprehensive, I tend to implement more structure and interactive activity to help get the conversation going. This tends to take the pressure off of “having to talk” and helps make things seem more comfortable. Talking to them about this approach may ease their nerves.

Is therapy confidential?

Yes, therapy is confidential. However, there are three main reasons why confidentiality may need to be breached.

1. If you or your child discloses that they are a danger to themselves or others.

2. If there is suspected abuse in the past or present that has occurred to a child, elderly person, or other vulnerable adult.

3. If the court orders a release of information as part of a legal proceeding.

Your teen has a right to privacy in therapy. For therapy with your teen to be successful, it is recommended that online therapy takes place in a private, secure space at home. You may ask about goals that are being targeted, but specific details of what your teen talks about in therapy will remain private. You and your therapist may determine that a joint session with your teen would be beneficial, and this will be discussed prior to a joint session taking place. It is ok to check-in with your teen about how therapy is going, but do not ask about the details or specifics unless they decide to tell you on their own.

How frequently does therapy occur?

It can be helpful for therapy to take place weekly while the relationship between your teen and therapist is being built. Trust and rapport takes time to build with teens. It is common to taper sessions down to every other week once your teen begins to use the skills they are learning outside of therapy sessions. The length of treatment depends on the specific needs of you and your teen. Some teens prefer to have monthly sessions to maintain progress and support after they have met some of their goals.

What is your approach with teens?

All clients have different needs. I will be assessing the style of therapy that your teen will prefer in our first few meetings. I find it helpful to teach clients about brain science and give them tools and skills to cope with and manage anxiety. Our thoughts have a lot of power, so I utilize CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to help clients change the way they think about things. I bring creativity into therapy as much as possible. For younger clients, I utilize a variety of interactive online interventions to target specific areas, goals, and skills. I also use psychodrama, a type of action-based therapy, to help integrate the skills clients are working on, build confidence, practice assertiveness, and heal different parts of themselves.

Do you provide virtual therapy?

For added convenience, True Wellness offers the option to participate in therapy virtually. HIPAA compliant video platforms are used (Zoom) to meet for virtual therapy sessions. It is recommended that your teen be able to use a laptop or computer to get the best experience, although some clients prefer to use smaller devices. A stable internet connection is helpful. It is best practice to make sure online therapy occurs at home, and not in the car or other public location. I may ask to reschedule the session if it is determined that the location in which therapy is taking place is not private or secure.

Do you provide in-person therapy?

True Wellness provides in-person therapy conveniently located in the Carrollwood area. We are located at 13911 Carrollwood Village Run, Tampa, Fl 33618.

Do you take insurance?

Insurance is not accepted. All major credit cards are accepted, as well as HSA accounts. If you have out of network benefits, documentation can be provided for you to submit to your insurance provider.