I start every 50 minute therapy appointment in the same way: by asking you 1) how you’re doing in this moment, and 2) what would you like to spend time with that day. This is your space, you decide how we use it. (Sometimes, people don’t know what they want to spend time with and together we explore what feels helpful).

At each appointment, my goal is for you to feel like I get you - that you feel listened to and understood without any judgement. I will ask questions, share information if it feels helpful, listen a lot, and at times may invite you to try a thing or two to explore what you’re feeling or practice things that could help you feel better.

Therapy has this thing called confidentiality - this means that as your therapist, I have to keep what you share with me private. Even though your parent/guardian may be setting up our appointments, I can’t share with them what we talk about.

(NOTE: There are three times when therapists are legally required to not keep information private: when clients present imminent threat of harm to themselves or others, when there is indication of abuse occurring or having occurred, or if information is required by a court of law)

It depends on if that would feel useful for you or not. Often, it can be helpful for me to meet with parents periodically. Though I can’t share what their teen talks about in therapy, I take what I know about their teen and answer parent questions about how they can be better supports. Ultimately, the teens I work with are my clients and they get to decide how much they’d like their parents involved.