Teen and adolescent therapy
Whether your teen is struggling with anxiety, school pressure, social dynamics, identity, family conflict, or something they cannot quite name yet, therapy can give them a dedicated space to process what is happening.
By the time most parents call, they've already tried everything else. They've watched, asked other parents, hoped it would pass, and then something happens at school or at home, and they start looking for additional help. If that's where you are right now, you're in the right place.
Anxiety and chronic worry.
Academic stress and perfectionism.
Social struggles or loneliness.
How they see their body, or who they're becoming.
Trauma, grief, anger, or a major life transition.
Relationship or family conflict.
The first conversation is usually with you, the parent: a chance to share what you're seeing and what's prompting you to reach out. After the first session, your teen meets with their therapist on their own.
Building trust takes a little longer with teens than with younger kids, and we expect that. They need to know this is their space, not another place where adults are talking about them.
Your therapist will spend the first few sessions getting to know your teen, understanding what's going on beneath the surface, and figuring out what kind of support will help. You'll stay in the loop on the big picture, and you're always welcome to reach out to the therapist with questions.
The consultation: With a parent first, to ask your questions and make sure working with us feels like a good fit for your family.
The first session: We meet with parent and teen together, then end with time for just the teen. The priority is listening and building trust.
How you stay involved: Periodic parent check-ins, either joining part of a session or by phone. What your teen says in session stays with your teen, which is what makes the work possible. We keep you updated on general themes and progress, and if there's ever a safety concern, you'll hear from us directly.
Kari Kulak
MDiv, LPC Associate
Supervised by
Gena St. David, PhD, LPC-S, LMFT-S
Teenagers respond best to warm, real, genuine connection, so our therapists focus on building trust and healthy attachment. We focus on them as a whole person, not just what's wrong, and we meet them where they actually are, not where a textbook says they should be. We use CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and family systems work when it fits, adapted to your teen and what they're working through. No teenager is the same, so we adjust treatment to what's actually clicking with them.
Parents are part of it through periodic check-ins, not by sitting in on the session. Your teen needs a space that's theirs, one where they can be candid and build another relationship with a trustworthy adult. That relationship is part of the healing itself.
What teen therapy involves
We teach concrete skills (emotion regulation, communication, ways to manage anxiety) that your teen can actually use between sessions.
Clinicians with training in adolescent development, not adult therapy applied younger.
Client-led. We meet them where they are and build trust first.
Flexible parent involvement, plus family sessions when everyone wants that.
We see children, teens, and adults, so we're here for the whole family, whatever comes up.
Our work with teens usually begins around age 13. Different clinicians on the team focus on different ages, so on the consultation call we can figure out who's the best fit for yours.
We will keep you in the loop on the big picture: how they're doing, what themes are coming up, and anything you need to know to support them at home. If there's ever a safety concern, we'll always bring you in.
This is not uncommon, and we understand. Their therapist will be patient and warm. Once teens feel genuinely heard, most are willing to try it out.
Periodic parent check-ins, separate from your teen's individual sessions, especially early on. That gives you a space to share observations without compromising their confidentiality. Family sessions can be added when everyone wants that.
Yes. Virtual sessions often work well for teens and their schedules. They can meet from their own room, which can feel less intimidating than an office visit.
Appointments Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, in person in Central Austin (across from Pease Park) or virtually across Texas. Weekends are sometimes available, so please ask if that works better for you.
No. The practice does not bill insurance directly. We can check your out-of-network benefits for you, by hand, before you commit to anything.
Twenty free minutes. Your teen can join, or you can start the conversation. Rates, insurance, and timing are part of that call rather than a surprise later.
Book a free consultationYou tell us what you have been noticing, in whatever words you have for it.
We talk through what would help, and answer any questions that you have about the process.
You leave with a recommendation to work with someone on our team, or a referral to another resource in the area. Either way, you won't be back at square one.
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