The teenage years can feel alien. So many changes, and similarly to childhood, so little control. Person centered-ness, autonomy-building approaches that earn trust, rather than demand it, are essential for supporting mental health goals and building healthy connections with individuals of this age group.
A bit different from my work with children under 12, adolescent clients’ take a more active role in their treatment planning and have more of a say as to when caregivers are involved. This all gives the young adult a place of control for self and builds the confidence necessary to begin managing one’s own mental health and wellness.
My treatment is most effective when aligned with, “Yes Brain!“, “Gentle”, or “Positive Parenting” approaches to supporting youth development.
“Positive parenting is the continual relationship of a parent(s) and a child or children that includes caring, teaching, leading, communicating, and providing for the needs of a child consistently and unconditionally.”
-(Seay et al., 2014, p. 207).
“Meeting them where they are at” is especially critical with this private and sensitive population. Taking time to get to know one another (build rapport) first, I utilize an eclectic tool box of interventions and approaches to elicit emotion in a safe way and make connections to greater thoughts, feelings, and reactive behaviors that come with them. Non directive and person centered expressive arts, interpersonal psychotherapy, motivational interviewing, Gestalt and CBT methods have been effective with the following:
✧ Anxiety, stress, overwhelm ✧Attention Deficit & Hyperactivity
✧Autism Spectrum ✧Neurodivergent-Affirming***
✧Conflict & avoidance of social situations ✧Decreased self-harm
✧Depression ✧Self Esteem ✧Increased empathy & communication
✧Healthier coping ✧Re-authoring and processing of traumatic narratives
Click the button above to schedule a consult for both potential teenage clients and their caregivers. After we speak, ask them the following questions to see if you should proceed with scheduling intake…
- Do you think this person could eventually earn your trust?
- Does Jess seem like someone you want to talk to?
- What can you see yourself working on with her?
- Would you want to bring us (parents/caregivers, siblings) into session at times?
- Is now the time to start therapy?
…this discussion may reveal more insight than you’d imagine.
| 30 Minute phone consults (1 Caregiver, 1 Adolescent client) | Free |
| Caregiver supported Intake session | $120 |
| Cost per individual/family therapy session (includes brief weekly caregiver check-ins if individual session scheduled) | $80-120, sliding scale |
Let’s talk about what payment options may be comfortable and sustainable for you and your family, to get the most from our time together.
Good Faith Estimate with “No Surprises Act” of 2022.
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.
You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
“When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.”
-Alexander Den Heijer
✧ Jessica Wellins is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #129207,
City of Seal Beach business license, #14206331 ✧
