Adolescent & Family Therapy in San Luis Obispo County
Helping teens feel understood and families feel connected again. In-person and online sessions available across CA.
You’re here because something has changed.
Maybe your teen has pulled away—spending more time in their room, falling behind in school, or meeting every conversation with an argument. Or maybe your teen looks like they’re holding it all together: straight As, excelling in sports, performing on stage, keeping up the appearance of being “fine.” On the outside, they seem successful. On the inside, the pressure to perform perfectly leaves them feeling anxious, exhausted, or never quite good enough.
Your family might also be navigating a major transition—like divorce, loss, or another big life change. What once felt steady now feels strained, whether through conflict, distance, or silence. You want to show up for your teen, but you’re not sure how to reach them—or if they even want you to.
Please know this isn’t unusual. Adolescence is a stage where teens are wired to seek independence and push against parents, but that doesn’t make it any less painful when the relationship becomes tense or complicated. Big emotions, shifting identities, and social pressures often collide with family expectations, leaving everyone feeling frustrated or misunderstood.
Challenges we often see:
Teens pulling away or isolating themselves from everyone
A drop in grades, motivation, or energy
Big emotions—anxiety, irritability, or sadness
Stress from divorce or family transitions
Struggles with friendships, belonging, or peer comparison
Questions of identity or self-confidence—“I don’t feel good enough”
Perfectionism or pressure to measure up
Parents who are unsure how to set boundaries or connect
Family patterns of silence, distance, or conflict
Our Approach
Therapy isn’t about labeling problems or pointing fingers. It’s about helping everyone in the family feel seen, heard, and respected.
For teens, this is a safe space to talk openly—without fear of judgment or pressure. It’s a chance to sort through big emotions, school stress, or questions about identity in ways they might not feel comfortable sharing anywhere else. For parents, therapy is a place to understand what’s really going on beneath the surface, get practical tools to connect, and learn how to support your teen without the silent treatments, endless arguments, or internal pressure to be “perfect.”
And for families as a whole, this process is about shifting patterns—so instead of getting stuck in power struggles or silence, you can find new ways to communicate, listen, and move forward together.
Our work is personal and tailored to each and every client & family dynamic. We use an integrative approach—CBT, family systems, attachment, humanistic, and more—to support growth and connection from all angles. Some sessions may focus on your teen individually, while others include parents or the whole family. The goal is always the same: helping you feel less stuck, more connected, and more hopeful about what’s ahead (and what’s possible).
What can happen with therapy:
A calmer, more confident teen
Conversations that don’t end in slammed doors
Boundaries that stick and keep you connected
Tools to handle stress, school, and big emotions
A family dynamic built on respect and understanding
A parent–teen bond that can withstand inevitable stress and challenges
More peace in the home—for everyone
Sometimes the hardest years can also be the most important for building resilience, perspective, and connection.
You don’t have to navigate it alone.
Questions?
FAQs
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That’s really common. Teens often worry therapy will feel like a lecture or another adult telling them what to do. We take a different approach—therapy is a relaxed, supportive space where they get to be themselves. Once they realize it’s not about being “fixed,” many teens find it’s actually a relief to have someone in their corner.
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That’s one of the most common questions we hear from parents. Part of our work is helping you understand what’s typical in adolescent development, and what might be a sign your teen needs more support. You don’t have to figure that out on your own—we’ll walk through it together.
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Every family is different, but many notice small shifts—less tension at home, conversations feeling calmer—within the first few sessions. Real change takes time and commitment, but we’ll help you hold perspective and momentum along the way.
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Then therapy is the right place. We often meet with parents individually or bring the whole family into sessions. The goal isn’t to assign blame but to create new patterns where everyone feels respected and supported.