Stella Zweben Samuel, LCSW

Many parents pursue teen counseling to obtain some understanding and coping strategies for themselves and their teen. I know this is hard and you've likely been debating seeking help for months, if not years. This practice also provides counseling to young adults and college students who are struggling with anxiety and depression. As a clinician, I have been working with couples to help them communicate with each other, identify what they can do to support themselves and their partner, and learn some strategies to work as a team which encourages individual growth. Many teenagers are successful at managing their stress, but others need some support. I have been working with teenagers and young adults with anxiety for over twenty years. A strong relationship is vital to assist your teenager to manage their anxiety as it provides the space to allow your teenager to feel safe. I provide a warm, compassionate, and safe environment for your teenager to share their concerns, build upon their strengths, and guide and understand the areas that need growth. Teens struggle with control and independence and I recognize this as part of my work with your teenager. The therapeutic relationship I build with your teen will provide your teen with the confidence and control they need. If your teenager has spoken with a therapist previously, I explore what your teenager did not like about therapy. Not all therapists use the same approaches to teenagers. I see all teenagers as unique and not fitting into a cookie cutter mold of a teen which I believe allows me to build a rapport with your teenager. I help your teenager to focus on what s/he needs and wants to get out of therapy. This might include something that your teenager did receive from previous treatment so I will inquire what your teenager might have liked from their previous therapist. Overall, my goal is to help you and your teenager feel some relief from the stress that they are feeling and gain confidence for the future. Many of the teenagers with whom I have worked benefit from cognitive behavioral treatment. This treatment helps teenagers to recognize and identify the repetitive thoughts that keep them static and stuck in their anxiety. Cognitive behavioral techniques can help your teenager to adopt new thoughts to assist them to manage any stress and anxiety that they encounter with new behaviors and reactions. In our initial sessions, I will address the concerns you and your teenager have to ensure that I understand the magnitude of the problem and how each person sees it. Many teenagers have difficulty communicating their needs to adults and working with a therapist allows them to practice advocating for themselves. Teenagers will buy into the therapeutic process if they feel that the therapist will be honest and keep their confidence. It is my belief that every teenager is unique with a different perspective. Sharing what is happening inside one’s mind can be a scary experience especially for teenagers, I help teenagers understand what is happening, provide them with the language, and help them come with the best solutions to support each one through their current situation. Usually, the following sessions will be with the teenager alone to address his/her anxiety. I explain the limitations of confidentiality, which includes your teenager being a risk of harming themselves or others, to both you and your teen to ensure there are no concerns. I always invite parents to communicate with me regarding any concerns they are having with their teenager. Your teen will gain skills and confidence from treatment that will help them through the rest of their life. Imagine your life without the stress of your teen and their anxiety. I see a light at the end of the tunnel for your stress and your teenager’s anxiety. You will be able to enjoy time with your teen and see them being successful. Seeking counseling for you and your teen will be the answer. The college experience can be extremely tough and anxiety and depression affect college students more than we realize. It can be obvious that you are depressed or anxious if you frequently cry and seem to have less energy. You might wonder if what you are feeling is a normal experience of the stress of college because your symptoms are less noticeable. Every day you go to class, get together with friends, and do your typical activities; however, there is a feeling of heaviness, sadness, or loneliness that hangs over you. If this describes you, then you could be feeling anxiety and depression.