Adolescent & Teen Counseling in St. Augustine, FL

Adolescence and the teenage years can be a time of intense change — emotionally, socially, and neurologically. Teens may struggle with big feelings, stress, identity, relationships, or expectations they don’t yet have words for. Counseling offers a supportive, nonjudgmental space where adolescents and teens can feel heard, understood, and supported as they navigate this stage of life.

How Counseling Can Help

Teen counseling helps adolescents better understand their emotions, develop coping skills, and build confidence navigating challenges. Therapy can support teens experiencing:

Anxiety or depression
Stress related to school, friendships, or family changes
Emotional or behavioral concerns
Trauma or difficult life experiences
Transitions such as divorce, relocation, or loss

While sessions focus on creating a safe and trusting space for teens, parents are always kept involved in their child’s treatment. I work collaboratively with caregivers to support communication, offer guidance, and ensure that therapy aligns with the needs of the family as a whole, while still respecting the teen’s privacy and developmental stage.

Healthy teens laughing showing adolescent therapy

What to Expect

Counseling sessions are paced to help teens feel comfortable and respected. Early sessions focus on building trust and creating a safe space where teens can express themselves openly.

Over time, sessions may include skill-building, emotional awareness, problem-solving, and support around relationships or stressors. The goal is to help teens feel more grounded, capable, and understood — both in and outside of therapy.

My Approach

My approach to adolescent and teen counseling is collaborative, grounded, and trauma-informed. I integrate evidence-informed methods such as CBT and DBT-informed skills with a relational approach that respects each teen’s individuality and developmental stage.

I prioritize safety, trust, and emotional regulation, supporting teens as they build insight, resilience, and healthier ways of relating to themselves and others.

I offer in-person therapy for adolescents in St. Augustine and online/virtual counseling.

Learn about my other services

Reach Out For Help

If you’re considering counseling for your teen or have questions about how therapy works, I invite you to reach out. We can talk about what your family is experiencing and explore whether this support feels like a good fit.

Contact Melissa

To learn more about what teen counseling involves and how approaches like CBT and DBT support adolescents’ emotional well‑being, you can visit the PeaceHealth Health Information Library.