Does your teenager go overboard trying to avoid things that make them uncomfortable?

Anxiety in Adolescents

Anxiety Therapy for Adolescents in Elm Grove, WI  

Maybe they fake sick to avoid school, or perhaps they tell you they don't feel well before a social gathering. They may be spending less time with friends, or simply avoiding friends entirely. Perhaps they’ve dropped out of activities they once enjoyed, are struggling in school, or have expressed concern about things they ‘shouldn’t be worried about’.

Sometimes it is hard to tell what is ‘just being a teenager’ and what is a more serious concern. The fact is, adolescents experience and express anxiety differently than fully developed adults. If your teen is showing these symptoms with regularity, it may be anxiety that requires professional help:
  • Excessive worry or fear about everyday situations
  • Avoidance of things like school or social situations
  • Irritability, mood swings, or outbursts
  • Physical symptoms like stomach aches or headaches
  • Needing frequent reassurance



Mental Health Therapy can help

Anxiety is a common struggle for teens and adolescents, who have difficulty expressing their emotions to family members and lack the skills to manage their feelings or make healthy changes on their own. As a concerned parent, it can be challenging to know how best to support your child during this time. This is where professional counseling can be beneficial.

Working with a counselor allows your teenager to:
  • Develop a unique, trusting relationship with a neutral party.
  • Identify and address anxiety-related issues they might not feel comfortable discussing with family.
  • Build self-management skills to cope with anxiety effectively.
  • Learn to seek support from healthy sources.
  • Increase self-awareness to foster emotional growth and maturity.

A crucial aspect of therapy with adolescents is establishing a strong therapeutic connection. I am dedicated to guiding your teen through this process by customizing each step to their distinct needs and circumstances. My therapeutic approach acknowledges that anxiety often stems from a combination of factors rather than a single issue. By focusing on aspects they can control, I will support your teen in making positive changes to manage their anxiety.



ANXIETY DOESN'T HAVE TO DEFINE YOUR CHILD'S ADOLESCENCE.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know if therapy will help my child?

Q: What are therapy sessions like for teens and adolescents?

A: Initial sessions are about building trust and connection through conversation and possibly activities like playing cards while we talk. Once we establish rapport we will start to identify and address the problems they are facing in various areas of their lives.

A: While therapy may not solve all problems, it can often provide your child with coping skills, resilience, and improved emotional well-being. Additionally, therapy can provide a safe space for your child to express their thoughts and feelings, fostering a deeper understanding of their emotions and leading to improved self-awareness. 

Q: How involved are parents in their child’s sessions?

A: It is best for the therapist and parent to connect directly at the start of therapy so parents can share their perspective of the issues going on. From there, it can be helpful to give the adolescent some autonomy in how much they want their parents involved - with the understanding that safety or health concerns will need to be addressed with appropriate parental support. 

A: Reach out to me via the button below or give me a call at 414-207-4160. I’m happy to answer any questions and respond to any concerns you may have. If you’re ready to schedule, you can do so online with the 'Schedule a Session' button below.

Q: How do we get started?

I can help them rewrite their story.