Teen Therapy in Queens, NY
Inclusive, affirming counseling for teenagers & all LGBTQIA+ youth managing the complexities of growing up. Sessions available online and in-person.
Teenage years are messy, but that doesn’t mean they have to be unbearable.
If you're a parent, you might be here because something doesn’t feel quite right. Maybe your teen seems withdrawn, overwhelmed, or just not like themselves, and you're not sure how to help. Or maybe you’re a teen reading this on your own, wondering if therapy could actually make a difference.
Some of the challenges teens bring into therapy:
Feeling stuck, sad, numb, or angry without knowing why
Struggling to make or keep close friendships
Dealing with peer drama, bullying, or feeling left out
Stressed about school, grades, or what’s next
Uncomfortable in their body or stuck in food struggles
Always tired, anxious, or overwhelmed
Feeling invisible or misunderstood
Fighting more with parents or caregivers
Questioning or exploring their sexuality or gender, and unsure who is safe to talk to
Holding onto painful experiences they don’t talk about
My Approach
Growing up comes with a lot that no one prepares you for.
As their therapist, I spend time getting to know each teenager's inner world—how they see things, what’s been weighing on them, and what they wish others understood. It’s important that we remove any sort of pressure or need to perform, because that’s not what they need. This welcoming environment focuses on building trust first and foremost, allowing us to cultivate a meaningful therapeutic relationship that can actually help teens move forward.
This work often includes paying attention to patterns that feel stuck:
Shutting down, overthinking, anger outbursts, or constant self-criticism and comparison. I’m not here to shame or correct those responses. Instead, I help teens make sense of them, and we explore new ways of coping while also understanding what’s underneath. And even though what we uncover isn’t always easy, my role is to help make it feel safer and more manageable together.
My clinical background includes extensive experience and training in child and adolescent psychotherapy through IPTAR and specialized training in the SAFETY model for teens navigating self-harm or suicidal thoughts. This age and time of life come with so much complexity, and I’m honored to be someone they can count on, especially when things feel overwhelming or hard to name.
Sometimes we talk about friendships or anxiety. Sometimes we explore feelings that haven’t been easy to talk about anywhere else—things like identity, sexuality, self-worth, trauma, or grief. This is their space. Whether it’s teaching practical skills or sitting with big feelings, nothing is off-limits, and every part of themselves is welcome (and celebrated) here.
Helping teenagers shift the dialogue:
“I hate how I look and who I am”
“I have ways to calm down and reset”
“Everything feels like too much”
“I’m growing into who I really am”
“I’m scared to be myself”
“I’m starting to believe in myself”
“I never feel good enough”
“I’m starting to feel understood and seen as the real me”
“People don’t really get me”
“I’m learning to treat myself with kindness”
When it feels like the world keeps pointing out what you’re doing wrong, it’s powerful to have someone who sees what’s right.
Questions?
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That depends on your teen’s age, needs, and preferences. I often check in with parents (with the teen’s consent), especially around safety or practical concerns. But this space is ultimately for your teen so they can explore who they are without judgment or pressure. In most cases, what’s shared in session stays in session.
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Yes! I offer an affirming, trauma-informed space where teens can explore gender, sexuality, identity, and desire at their own pace. I won’t bring an agenda or assumptions of any kind—just room for us all to be fully human and our true selves.
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I’m a licensed therapist with extensive experience supporting teenagers across a range of emotional and behavioral challenges. My training includes Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy through IPTAR (New York), as well as SAFETY (Safe Alternatives for Teens and Youths), a model specifically designed for teens navigating intense emotions and safety concerns.
I also spent several years working in an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for youth at risk for self-harm and suicidality, where I served as Program Coordinator. Alongside carrying a clinical caseload, I organized therapeutic groups, supported families, and collaborated closely with psychiatrists, schools, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure teens received comprehensive care.
I bring that experience into my private practice with a steady, grounded presence that helps teens feel safe enough to be themselves—and to begin trusting themselves again.
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Yes. I have experience working with teens who are self-harming, having suicidal thoughts, or feeling emotionally unsafe in any way. These are not topics that scare me, and they don’t need to be hidden. We can talk about them directly and carefully, while building a plan for support and safety that feels realistic.
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Yes. Substance use is often a way teens cope when they’re overwhelmed, anxious, numb, or carrying things they don’t know how to talk about. Therapy can help your teen understand what’s underneath the urge to numb out or escape, and begin building healthier ways to cope.
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