Adolescence is a time of immense growth, both in terms of identity formation and brain development. It can be a time when emotions feel intense, friendships take center stage, academic pressures increase, and social media amplifies comparison. Many teens are carrying much more internally than adults around them realize.

At Georgetown Psychology, our therapists create a space where teens feel respected and understood, without judgment or assumptions. Rapport building is essential to positive outcomes in teen-therapy, and our therapists are skilled at forming authentic relationships grounded in collaboration, trust, and emotional safety. We know that teens are more likely to engage in therapy when they feel like therapy is something they are choosing, not something being forced upon them.

Parent involvement looks different in teen therapy than it does in child therapy, and that shift is intentional. Teens need a space that feels genuinely theirs — one where they can speak freely without worrying about what gets back to you. At the same time, we never leave parents in the dark. We schedule regular check-ins to share general progress, discuss goals, and ensure you feel supported in how you show up for your teen at home.

Our teen therapy services address the unique challenges adolescents face during this critical stage of development. We integrate evidence-based approaches such as CBT, DBT, and ACT and tailor them to meet teens where they are at. We provide neurodiversity-affirming and LGBTQ+ affirming care and recognize that identity development is shaped by personal experiences and cultural, familial, and societal contexts. We work together to help them build resilience, develop helpful coping strategies, and foster relationships where they can be themselves.