Therapy Specialized for Teens
LGBTQ+ Therapy In person in Los Angeles and Online throughout California for:
LGBTQ+ Teens • QPOC • Trans, Non-binary, and Gender Questioning teens • Parents of LGBTQ+ Teens • 1st Generation & (im)Migrants Teens
Is Your Teenager Struggling With Their Mental Health?
Is your teen questioning their identity or feeling uncomfortable in their body?
Have they been unusually withdrawn lately and saying no to fun activities?
Are they dealing with feelings of loneliness and struggling to fit in with their peers?
Do they have a hard time finding a ‘middle ground’ or relating to family
Whether your teen is dealing with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or another mental health issue, it’s normal for them to experience a wide range of conflicting and chaotic emotions at this time of life. They might be angry, irritable, overwhelmed, and stressed out. Perhaps they’re wrestling with peer pressure or bullying and feel like they don’t belong anywhere. Maybe they’re questioning their gender identity or sexuality and struggling to figure out who they are. As a result, you may be considering getting extra support for your teen.
Your Teen’s Challenges Could Weigh Heavily On You As A Parent
You love your teen to the moon and back and want the best for them. But at the moment, figuring out what’s best for them may seem confusing. When you try to help them, they might snap at you, give you the cold shoulder, or ignore your efforts altogether. You want to give them space and independence now that they’re older, but you also want to support them. You don’t want to see them struggling socially, emotionally, and academically anymore.
Your teen deserves to live a life that puts them on track to being the best version of themselves that they can imagine. And you, as the most important figure in their life, deserve to have peace of mind knowing that your teen is supported, empathized, and cared for. At Open Space Therapy Collective, our therapists specialize in working with teens who are experiencing all the feels and parents who want to learn valuable skills for helping their teens.
In The Social Media Age, Teenagers Face More Stress Than Ever Before
All teens go through times when they obsessively focus on how they present to others. This is a normal part of growing up and becoming independent. Oftentimes, teens feel like they have labels or roles that don’t align with the many parts of their identity (like sex, gender and expression). They might have more questions than answers when it comes to how they feel in the body and how they want to identify.
In today’s world, teens have an extra hard time figuring out their authentic identity thanks to the pressures of social media. Teens are bombarded with so many conflicting messages about how to act, how to dress, what music to listen to, what kind of college to get into, etc. Beauty standards are unrealistically high, academic pressures are through the roof, and self-worth becomes a matter of clicks, likes, and followers. So it’s no wonder so many teens are struggling to figure out who they are and turning to therapy for guidance.
Sometimes Even The Most Caring Parents Need A Helping Hand
Many parents are reluctant to send their kids to therapy because they’re worried that it’s an admission of failure. They feel like they should be able to do it all themselves. But the truth is that, while parenting a child is difficult, parenting a teenager is a whole different ballgame. That’s because teens value autonomy and self-sufficiency more than children. Most of the time, they don’t want to be dependent on their parents for help. They want to explore the world on their own terms and arrive at solutions themselves.
This is why it’s so important for teens to see a therapist. Since a therapist is not an authority figure, they can provide teens with a safe space to be themselves, find the answers that already lie within them, and work toward a more empowered and authentic life.
Are you ready to schedule or have any questions? Send us a message
Therapy Can Help Your Teen Create The Life They Deserve
Is your teenager unsure of how they feel about starting therapy? We get it! We know it isn’t easy for teens to open up to a stranger. At the beginning, figuring out what to expect when starting therapy can bring on its own wave of emotions. This is especially true if your teen has had some not-so-great therapy experiences in the past. At OSTC, we choose only the best counselors to work with our teens, as we pride ourselves on being down-to-earth and understanding of the problems teens face in the modern age.
Our specialists provide mental health counseling for a wide range of challenges that are common throughout the teenage years, including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, low self-esteem, relationship problems and gender and sexuality challenges. So no matter what your teenager is dealing with, we are confident that we can offer the compassion and expertise that your adolescent needs.
What To Expect In Teen Counseling Sessions
During the first therapy session, we generally like to meet with you and your teen together. This might not always be the case, as we adjust our treatment plan depending on each teen, but more often than not we find it helpful to hear from both the parent and teenager. It gives us a better understanding of what you both want out of therapy and allows your teen to have a voice in their own treatment.
Once we’re off to a start, our therapists will incorporate their foundational expertise in gender and identity and the developmental landscape teens live in, while exploring where your teen finds themselves and where they want to be. Your teen can expect support in exploring, identifying, working through, and growing in skills that will get them to the other side of the struggles they currently face. As they grow in finding their voice and communicating all their inner difficulties, our task is to join them in their journey to feeling better.
At the same time that we work on equipping your teen with new skills and strategies, we will collaborate with you to ensure that you know how to best support your teen. After all, we recognize that your teenager’s healing process requires a joint effort from both of you. Our mission is to give both of you the strength and wisdom to navigate this topsy-turvy time of life with ease.
LGBTQ+ Therapy In person in Los Angeles and Online throughout California for:
QPOC
You May Have Some Questions About Teenage Therapy…
My teen doesn’t think talking about their problems will fix anything.
Sometimes it’s hard to put your feelings into words. Maybe there are times when your teen has found themselves misunderstood while attempting to share how they feel. The good news is that our therapists are trained to help teenagers discuss their challenges in a way that deepens their self-knowledge and empowers them to arrive at practical solutions. Therapy is so much more than just talking, since it gives teens real-life skills for improving their day-to-day lives.
My teen doesn’t want to go to therapy.
Obviously, your teenager is their own person with their own sense of autonomy, and therapy works best when it’s a voluntary decision. If your teen is skeptical of therapy, we encourage you to let them know that they don’t have to commit right away. They are welcome to attend a session, see how they like it, and make their decision when they’re ready to. We find that the overwhelming majority of teens who see us come to enjoy their time here and find fulfillment through it. We’re confident that your teenager will experience the same thing!
Your Teenager Deserves Compassionate And Expert Support
Therapy doesn't have to feel like you're jumping into it full-force! We offer free 15-minute phone calls with our therapists so you and your teen can decide if they are the right fit! We look forward to being part of this step in your adolescent’s journey.
If you would like to schedule your free 15-minute appointment, please click and follow the link below.
Gender Affirming Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Internal Family Systems
Narrative Therapy
Dance/Movement Therapy
Somatic Therapy
Art Therapy
Sex Therapy
Couples & Poly Therapy
Trauma Informed Therapy
We Offer:
EMDR
People Pleasing Recovery
Intergenerational Trauma
Culturally Informed
Mindfulness
Therapy for High Achievers
Life Stage Changes
Grief & Loss
Harm Reduction
