Online Therapy for Teens in New Rochelle, Yonkers, and throughout New York
Being A Teenager Comes With Its Own Set Of Challenges
Adolescence is a time of major life changes. It’s when we become more independent from our parents or caregivers, and learn to navigate bigger decisions for the first time without much experience to lean on.
It’s why teens often struggle with issues ranging from identity to academic stress, peer pressure, and the challenges of building friendships in the digital age. Add in the layer of cultural diversity, privilege, and the challenges that come with being BIPOC, and it’s no surprise that these struggles start to show up.
Some early signs are withdrawal, anxiety, poor school performance, body image issues, and more.
As a first-generation American from Mexican parents, I understand this firsthand.
Growing up, I was my parents’ official translator. Which meant I was already navigating adult responsibilities, two languages, and two cultures before I had the tools to fully process it all.
That early experience informs how I show up for the teens I work with today.
How I Support Teen Clients As A Bilingual Latino Therapist
Many of the teens I work with are dealing with more than the usual challenges their peers face.
They’re also holding the weight of cultural expectations and unspoken behavioral patterns passed down from previous generations.
As a bilingual, Latina therapist, I offer sessions in both English and Spanish, so teens and families can speak comfortably about what’s on their minds.
I also specialize in working with intergenerational trauma: the patterns, beliefs, and behaviors that get passed down unconsciously through a family.
Looking at these patterns helps teens have a better understanding of who they are, while building new tools for responding to stressful or challenging situations.
To learn more about my approach, please visit my About page.
How Does Therapy For Teens Work?
Therapy for teens looks a little different than therapy for adults, and it helps to know what to expect before booking that first session.
Here’s what you need to know:
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Teens don’t often want to talk to adults they’ve just met, especially about personal struggles. So our early sessions’ focus is on building trust rather than diving headfirst into the hardest conversations.
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Teens feel safe sharing their inner world when they know our conversations are private. I will always be upfront with you, the parent, and your teen about what stays confidential and what conversations I have to disclose for safety concerns.
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I will check in to share how your teen is progressing, without revealing specific details. You can expect to start noticing a shift in your teen’s behavior as the sessions progress.
For example, you might notice that their emotional reactivity is less intense, or that they tend to withdraw less, or that they become more open to talking instead of shutting down.
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All sessions are offered online. That way, it’s easier to fit into the family’s schedule without having to add the stress of commuting or coordinating rides.
Sessions are 45-60 minutes long, and I typically recommend meeting 2 times per month for about 6 months, depending on what your teen is working through.
Progress isn’t always linear, and that’s ok.
Each child and situation is unique so there isn’t a predictable timeline that applies to every situation.
If you have further questions, please check the FAQs page or send me a message via the Contact page.
Learn About My Specialties
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Adult therapy in Spanish and English
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Bilingual family therapy for Hispanic and Latino families
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Teen therapy for Hispanic and Latino teens