Teen therapy offers a space to talk openly, make sense of what they are experiencing, and feel supported without judgment or pressure to have everything figured out.
Being a teenager can be complicated.
Adolescence brings significant changes in identity, relationships, family dynamics, expectations, and independence.
All while teens are still figuring out who they are and where they fit.
At Orange Tree Psychotherapy, therapy for teens ages 12 and older can provide support through everyday challenges, major transitions, and more significant periods of emotional distress.
When Teen Therapy Can Help
There does not have to be a crisis for a teen to benefit from therapy. Sometimes parents know their teen is struggling. Other times, the changes are harder to pinpoint.
A teen may seem more withdrawn, overwhelmed, irritable, anxious, disconnected, or simply different from their usual self. They may be struggling with relationships, questioning parts of their identity, having difficulty at school, or carrying emotions they do not know how to talk about.
Counseling for teens can provide support for:
Questions around identity and belonging
LGBTQIA+ identity and exploration
School, social, or life stress
Periods of significant emotional distress
Adolescent therapy can also be a place for teens to better understand themselves, strengthen their sense of identity, and develop healthier ways of navigating emotions, relationships, and the challenges that come with growing up.
A Space Where Teens Can Be Themselves
Effective teen therapy starts with trust.
Teens need a space where they can talk honestly about what they are experiencing while knowing their thoughts and feelings will be treated with respect. Therapy offers room to explore identity, relationships, emotions, family dynamics, and the pressures they may be carrying without feeling like they need to say the “right” thing.
The goal is not to tell teens who they should be or how they should feel. Therapy can help them better understand themselves, make sense of what they are experiencing, and feel more confident navigating their lives and relationships.
For LGBTQIA+ teens and adolescents exploring identity or belonging, having an affirming therapeutic space can be especially important. Therapy provides room to explore identity, relationships, family experiences, and what it means to feel comfortable and authentic in who they are.
Supporting Teens Means Supporting Families, Too
Working with adolescents often includes working with the people who support them.
Parents and caregivers can play an important role in helping teens feel understood and supported outside of therapy. When appropriate, teen therapy may include collaboration with parents and caregivers to help them better understand what their teen is experiencing and identify meaningful ways to offer support at home.
At the same time, protecting the trust and privacy of the therapeutic relationship is essential. Finding the right balance allows teens to have a space that feels genuinely their own while helping families feel supported and connected to the process.
Find a Teen Therapist in Phoenix
Finding the right therapist matters, especially for teens. Feeling comfortable, respected, and understood can make it easier to build trust and engage in the therapy process.
Orange Tree Psychotherapy offers in-person teen therapy in Phoenix, Arizona, for adolescents ages 12 and older experiencing anxiety, depression, identity and belonging concerns, family challenges, neurodivergence, relationship difficulties, and other emotional or life challenges.
If your teen could benefit from having a supportive space to talk, explore what they are experiencing, and better understand themselves, teen therapy can be a meaningful place to begin.
Play therapy sessions are also offered in-person at our Midtown Phoenix location.
Getting Started
If you are interested in teen therapy for your young adult, we encourage you to reach out to learn more about current availability and fit.
We’re here to help you take the next step.
Meet the Therapists Who Support This Work
-
![A woman with long auburn hair, wearing a black sleeveless top, standing in front of an abstract colorful painting.]()
Ashlee Traasdahl, LAC (she/her)
Anxiety, Depression, Adolescent mental health, LGBTQIA+ / Identity, Religious trauma and faith transitions
-
![A woman with long dark hair, glasses, and earrings, smiling, wearing a yellow and black patterned top, against a colorful decorative background.]()
Kayla Messinger, LPC, RPT (they/she)
Neurodivergence-affirming, trauma-informed support grounded in connection and nervous system awareness
