Therapy for Teens
Thoughtful, Developmentally-Informed Support for Teens
Adolescence can be a confusing, emotionally intense time for teens and for their parents. At Slate Psychology, we offer therapy that meets teens where they are, while also helping parents feel informed, supported, and confident in the care their child is receiving.
Teens meet with their therapist regularly and have access to support between sessions when appropriate. We work to build genuine trust with your teen so therapy feels like a safe space to talk openly, while also teaching practical skills that help them navigate emotions, relationships, school stress, and life transitions more effectively.
Our psychologists and social workers are trained in a range of evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Behavioral Activation, and Motivational Interviewing. And with a strong foundation in neuropsychology, we can also help your teen better understand how the adolescent brain works, including attention, emotional regulation, motivation, and decision-making. This added layer of insight helps us tailor strategies that actually work for your teen’s unique brain and developmental stage.
Therapy gives teens a space to slow down, feel understood, and build tools that help them feel more confident, capable, and emotionally steady.
We’ll move at your teen’s pace — encouraging independence while providing the structure and guidance they need to stay on track.
Our Approach To Teen Therapy
We work with teens navigating ADHD and autism spectrum disorder, mood challenges like depression and anxiety, and those facing relationship stress or major life transitions.
Depending on your teen’s needs, therapy may include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to reframe unhelpful thoughts
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to support emotional regulation and relationship skills
Behavioral Activation (BA) to improve motivation, routine, and follow-through
Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help teens connect with their own reasons for change, not just external pressure
Most of the time, we cherry-pick skills from multiple types of therapy- it’s our way of fully customizing treatment.
Parent collaboration is an important part of teen therapy. While sessions are primarily focused on your teen, we incorporate parent check-ins as appropriate to support progress, alignment, and communication at home.
Therapy might be a good fit if:
1 | Your teen seems “off,” withdrawn, or more irritable than usual.
You may notice changes in mood, energy, motivation, or behavior — and you’re looking for support to help them reconnect with themselves.
2 | Anxiety, stress, or overwhelm is interfering with daily life.
School pressure, social challenges, or performance expectations are starting to affect your teen’s sleep, focus, or emotional well-being.
3 | Depression or low mood is impacting motivation and engagement.
Your teen may seem disconnected, unmotivated, or emotionally flat, even if they’re still functioning on the surface.
Big emotions, shutdowns, frequent conflict, or difficulty coping with frustration may signal a need for additional support and skills.
4 | Emotional reactions feel intense or hard to manage.
Teens with ADHD or autism often benefit from therapy that understands their brain, builds practical strategies, and supports self-advocacy and confidence.
5 | Your teen is neurodivergent and needs tailored support.
6 | Your teen is navigating identity development or life transitions.
Adolescence is a time of growth, change, and self-discovery. Therapy can provide guidance even when there isn’t a “crisis.”
THE PROCESS
1 | Complimentary Call
We’ll start with a 15-minute complimentary consultation call with our lead psychologist. This call is typically with a parent or caregiver and allows us to understand your concerns, answer questions, and ensure our approach feels like the right fit for your family.
2 | Intake Session
If the fit is right, we’ll schedule an intake session. This may include time with both parent(s) and your teen, followed by time individually with your teen, depending on age and needs. We’ll gather information about developmental history, school experiences, family dynamics, and current concerns to understand the full picture.
3 | Treatment Planning
Together, we’ll create a treatment plan with goals that make sense for your teen and your family. We focus on practical outcomes while remaining flexible as needs evolve.
4 | Weekly Sessions
From there, your teen will meet regularly with their therapist. While some patients come in twice a week and others come twice a monthly, the most common cadence is once weekly. Patients are strongly encouraged to commit to at least 12-16 weeks, as research shows this is the minimum time needed to create long-lasting change.