As a parent of 4 (ages 9 through 23), I know how stressful it can be when our kids are struggling. Whether it is anxiety related to maintaining friendships or academic success, we simply want our kids to be well - happy, well rested, in positive friendships, feeling good about themselves. Therapy can feel like a last resort - but it is a great place to learn how to build resiliency and coping skills that will serve them throughout adolescence and into adulthood. One of my core beliefs as a therapist is that working with pre-teens and teens should be a collaborative process with the family. Too often, parents are left in the dark about what’s happening in sessions and end up feeling disconnected or unsure how to help. While I always maintain confidentiality (unless there’s a safety concern), I like to keep parents informed about the skills and strategies we’re focusing on in therapy. Sessions often include practical skill-building, and I share simple ways for parents to support those new tools at home. With your teen’s permission, I also encourage brief parent–child check-ins so we can make sure things are moving in a positive direction. It's a group effort!

I work with many clients that are in a sub-group I like to call “the quarter-lifers.” This is a unique time in life that often gets overlooked! It’s a transition into adulthood that doesn’t come with a road map, and can come with a whole new set of anxieties. I call it the "quarter life crisis." Your early 20s involve major changes and a LOT of decisions - you're figuring out career paths, relationships, what you want out of life, all while trying to make sense of (or recover from) your childhood family experiences. You finally get to define what life is about - which is hugely empowering - but also a little terrifying. In therapy we’ll work through those anxieties - exploring the patterns that keep you stuck in self doubt or worry, and help you learn the tools to manage stress and make decisions more confidently. One of the reasons I love working with this age group is because it’s such a valuable time to do this kind of work. Too often, people wait until their 50s or 60s to start exploring what truly makes them tick and what they want out of life.

Life with anxiety can feel like a frenzied balancing act — trying to succeed in your career, maintain close relationships, meet all daily responsibilities - all while trying to quiet the “what ifs” and endless imagined catastrophes in your mind. When you pile on things like trauma, depression, or adult adhd - well every day can turn into a struggle. Many of the adults I work with describe feeling trapped in cycles of self-doubt that make it nearly impossible to be present in the moment. In therapy, we’ll work together to understand where your anxiety comes from — the thought patterns, expectations, and old habits that keep you feeling tense or on edge. Using a mix of CBT and DBT skills, you’ll learn practical tools to manage anxiety day to day, quiet mental noise, and respond to stress with more calm and clarity. Our sessions feel more like relaxed conversations with the focus on helping you feel more present, confident, and connected to others.

Supervision for LPC-Associates seeking growth, structure, and mentorship in a supportive environment. We’ll focus on case conceptualization, ethics, and helping you develop your authentic clinical voice with confidence. Please message me at marcelle@laureloakstherapy.com to ask more about supervision.