The Emerging Adult
Navigating Identity, Social Pressure, and the Transition into Agency
Adolescence is not a problem to be solved or a phase to simply "get through." It is the birth of a personal philosophy. In this stage of life, the world often asks teens to be a collection of grades, social performances, and expectations. Therapy is the one place where they are invited to be none of those things—and instead, explore who they actually are.
I offer teen therapy in Portland and throughout Oregon for those navigating the heavy signals of anxiety, depression, and the untethered feeling that comes with rapid change.
Beyond the Surface
While a teen may come to therapy to address specific challenges, our work goes deeper than "fixing" behaviors. We look at the patterns below the surface:
The Weight of Expectations: Moving from who you were told to be to who you are becoming.
The Search for Belonging: Navigating peer dynamics and social pressure without losing your center.
The Birth of Agency: Developing the courage to make choices that align with your emerging values.
The Language of Emotion: Translating "symptoms" like withdrawal or stress into meaningful signals about your needs.
How We Work Together
My approach with teens is relational and unflinching. I don’t sit behind a clinical mask or follow a rigid, one-size-fits-all manual. While I draw from evidence informed-frameworks, the focus remains on the here-and-now relationship.
We create a space that is entirely their own—a "lab" for self-discovery where they can speak the truth of their experience without judgment. This is a collaborative process where we honor their pace and their unique way of seeing the world.
A note for Parents and Caregivers
You are an essential part of this landscape. While therapy provides your teen with a private space to build autonomy and self-trust, I collaborate with caregivers to ensure the shifts happening in the room translate to the home.
We work together to balance:
Support & Boundaries: Learning how to stay connected during the "pulling away" of adolescence.
Communication: Moving beyond strained interactions toward a shared language of respect.
The Transition: Supporting your teen as they move toward the responsibility and freedom of adulthood.
Getting Started
Whether you are a parent or caregiver looking for support for your child, or a teen curious about what this journey looks like, I am here for all of it.
I offer free 20-minute consultations and you’re welcome to reach out.