Teen & Adolescent Therapy

Adolescence is one of the most challenging developmental periods—for teens and their families. Between academic pressure, social dynamics, identity formation, and the biological changes of puberty, it's no wonder so many teens struggle. At Hasbrook Therapy, we provide a safe, non-judgmental space where teenagers can process their experiences, develop coping skills, and build confidence as they navigate these formative years.

Common Challenges We Address

Today's teens face unprecedented pressures. Academic expectations have intensified, social media creates constant comparison and FOMO, and many adolescents are managing anxiety, depression, or trauma alongside normal developmental challenges. We work with teens experiencing:

Anxiety and stress related to school performance, college preparation, social situations, or generalized worry that interferes with daily life. Many teens describe feeling overwhelmed, unable to turn off racing thoughts, or avoiding situations that trigger anxiety.

Social challenges including peer conflict, bullying (in-person or online), difficulty making or keeping friends, or feeling like they don't fit in anywhere. Social skills building is a key component of our work with many adolescents.

ADHD and executive functioning challenges that affect organization, time management, impulse control, and school performance. We help teens develop practical strategies while addressing the emotional impact of feeling "different" or constantly behind.

Risk-taking behaviors such as substance experimentation, self-harm, unsafe sexual activity, or other concerning choices that worry parents. We explore the underlying needs driving these behaviors and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

Family conflict where communication has broken down, trust has been damaged, or the parent-teen relationship feels constantly adversarial. We can work individually with your teen or include family sessions to improve dynamics.

Mood concerns including depression, irritability, emotional volatility, or withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities. Adolescence brings hormonal changes, but persistent low mood deserves attention and support.

Identity exploration around sexuality, gender, values, career interests, or finding their place in the world. This is a natural part of adolescence, but it can feel confusing and isolating.

Our Approach to Teen Therapy

Working with adolescents requires a different approach than adult therapy. Teens often don't choose to come to therapy—their parents bring them—so building trust and rapport is essential. We create a space that feels collaborative rather than authoritarian, where teens can speak freely without judgment.

We use evidence-based approaches including Internal Family Systems (IFS), which helps teens understand different parts of themselves (the part that wants to succeed vs. the part that procrastinates, the anxious part vs. the risk-taking part). This framework normalizes internal conflict and builds self-compassion.

For teens experiencing trauma or PTSD, we offer EMDR therapy, adapted for adolescent developmental needs. We also incorporate somatic therapy and mindfulness approaches that help teens reconnect with their bodies and develop emotional regulation skills.

Importantly, we balance teen confidentiality with parental involvement. Your teen needs to trust that therapy is a private space, but parents also deserve to know if their child is unsafe. We're transparent about these boundaries from the start.

What Parents Can Expect

We encourage parent involvement to varying degrees depending on your teen's age and situation. We might start with individual sessions to build trust with your teen, then incorporate periodic parent check-ins or family sessions. Our goal is always to strengthen your family system while supporting your teen's growing independence.

Therapy can help your teen develop emotional awareness, healthy coping strategies, improved communication skills, stronger self-esteem, and better decision-making abilities. These skills serve them well beyond adolescence.

Serving families throughout Orange County, including Mission Viejo and San Juan Capistrano.