Parents begin by scheduling a complimentary consultation with our adolescent therapist so both therapist and parent can determine whether or not therapy services at Integrative Family Therapy will be a good fit. Please note that we do not offer free consultations to children and teens. After the consultation you will schedule an intake that will be for you and your child to attend together. After the intake, adolescents attend therapy on their own. If you are interested in attending therapy with your adolescent, please explore our family therapy offerings.

At the start of therapy, your child’s therapist will be focusing on getting to know your child. They will ask various questions in an effort to understand your child, what their challenges and strengths are, and what it is they want to get out of therapy. As time goes on, your child will talk about topics of their choosing. At the same time, your adolescent’s therapist will guide the conversations to ensure that they are focused on meeting your child’s goals.

We help adolescent learn to navigate challenges with friends, relationships, family, school, and sports. In addition we provide therapy for those needing support with anxiety, depression, family conflict, grief and loss, ADHD, trauma, eating disorders, self-harm, suicide ideation, substance use and risky behaviors.

Yes. We are trained and experienced in counseling children and adolescents that engage in self-harming behaviors. If we determine that we are not the right level of care for your child we will support your family with taking steps toward appropriatetreatment.

We believe everyone benefits from therapy. This being said, there are some signs to look out for that would indicate your adolescent should see a therapist. Below are some signs to look out for:

-Frequent and long lasting tantrums or meltdowns

-Arguing that becomes aggressive

-Difficulties with focus, organization, and staying on track with school work that impact grades, confidence, self-esteem and relationships

-Frequent intense reactions (big behaviors and big emotions)

-Excessive worries and fears that impact school, family life, friendships

- Easily startled

-Unable to sleep or wanting to sleep all the time

-Frequently refusing to go to school or other activities

-Sudden drop in grades

-Cutting or self harm

-Drinking and drug use

-Preoccupation with food, dieting, or exercise or sudden weight loss

-Excessive isolation

-Talking about wanting to die or ending their life

-They tell you they want to go to therapy

We are not able to prescribe medication. If you are interested in medication for your child, we encourage you to contact a psychiatrist or your child’s medical doctor. We coordinate care with psychiatrists in North County and San Diego and can refer you and your child for a medication evaluation.

We have found that adolescents generally want therapy to be a confidential space of their own. Therefore, parents are not typically involved in the therapy process. Our top priority is for therapy to be a positive experience for your adolescent and confidentiality is a vital aspect of the therapeutic process. This being said, there may be situations where your child wants you to attend therapy or there may be occasions in which your child’s therapist will want to schedule a parent or family session with you. If your child’s safety ever becomes a concern then your child’s therapist will take appropriate action. This will include bringing parents into therapy. If you feel strongly that you want to be involved in therapy with your child, we suggest that you begin family therapy with one of our family therapists. Family therapy can be an excellent adjunct to individual therapy. Or, it can serve as its own form of treatment. If you have any questions about this, please check in with your child’s therapist.

Yes. The information your child shares with their therapist is confidential and legally protected with some exceptions. Your therapist will discuss this with you and your child at the beginning of therapy.

We have found that almost all of our adolescent clients come to appreciate and enjoy therapy. Our therapists are very experienced in working with adolescents and are passionate about working with this age group. If your child does not want to come to therapy we recommend that you start by talking to them about it. Have a conversation and try to understand what their concerns and objections are. Validate their concerns and take some time to understand where they are coming from. If you have been to therapy it can help for you to share with them what it is like and how it has helped you. Some adolescents may appreciate looking through our website to get a better sense as to what therapy will entail and to have a chance to pick out their therapist. It may be that they just need the right therapist for them and that once they experience this, they will like coming to therapy.