Depression and anxiety are related psychological disorders and the most common mental health issues of our time. These disorders can get in the way of healthy development. Teenagers are particularly vulnerable to these difficulties and tend to respond well to tailored psychotherapy. 

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Anger is a powerful emotion and it takes self-knowledge, wisdom and skill to harness it so that it works for you, not against you. Anger issues can also be surface level and indicative of a deeper problem. Teenagers can be inexperienced and clumsy with their anger. Psychotherapy can help them to refine their experience of anger and their expression it.

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ADHD comes in three types. Inattentive type, Hyperactive type and Combined type. I consider ADHD to be overly pathologized. I think there is such a thing as an ADHD style of being that has benefits but is vulnerable to certain pitfalls. In psychotherapy I help teenagers to recognize how their style of being works for them and how sometimes it gets in the way and needs a work around. ADHD teenagers also need particular parenting considerations.

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Trauma happens whenever a teenager has a negative experience so intense that is far beyond their ability to handle it. PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is the mind's attempt to deal with this crisis. Teenagers are more resilient and mentally flexible than adults in some ways and they tend to respond well to PTSD treatment. But, if the PTSD is not treated well it can interfere severely with healthy psychological development.   

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Psychosis is difficulty in coming to your senses and getting lost in your mind to such an extent that you loose touch with reality. It tends to begin in late adolescence or early adulthood. Medication usually helps but patients should develop a sophisticated and individualized understanding of their disorder and learn ways to help safeguard against additional episodes.

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There's no point in sugar coating it. By far the most difficult work I do is with people who have personality disorders. A personality disorder is different because, for the person who has it, it doesn't feel like anything is wrong. The disorder feels right to them. This makes personality disorders very resistant to treatment. However, it is quite interesting and amazing work that requires frequent and consistent sessions over long periods of time.

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Psychedelics are powerful drugs like LSD/acid, magic mushrooms, DMT or high doses of THC. These drugs produce experiences that may be helpful in professional circumstances but can cause psychological tearing and trauma with casual use. Helping teenagers that have been hurt by psychedelics requires specialized training and knowledge. 

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Local exclusive high schools like Ransom Everglades, Belen, Columbus, Carrollton, and Gulliver are great for giving teenagers the best of what Miami education has to offer. However, some high achieving teenagers end up taking a lot of psychological wear and tear as they do their best to fulfill their ambitions and meet high expectations. Knowing how to manage stress and live a balanced life sets teenagers up for sustainable success without unnecessary sacrifice. 

As society adopts a more accepting attitude towards Marijuana teenagers find it easier and easier to experiment. Today's potent marijuana presents different challenges for teenagers compared to other times. This means increased risk of negative side effects and a higher likelihood of addiction and dependency issues. Psychotherapy and parenting help can minimize the risks of unhealthy marijuana use.​

For our teenagers to be healthy and finish growing up strong they need to be parented in particular ways. Parenting can be quite complicated because we have to adjust our strategy based on their character and their developmental level. Parents also have to deal with generational and cultural differences as well as new phenomena like social media. All of this while preserving the central role that our personal relationships with them have on their lives.

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Teenagers of certain characters tend to act out their feelings. This can lead to various problematic behaviors that interfere with life at home, school and socially. These teenager are at risk for dangerous behaviors of various kinds that can put their health, safety and future in peril.  

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We live in a time of comparatively vast possibilities when it comes to sexuality and gender identity. It can be a dizzying array that's not easy to sort out for teenagers. Psychotherapy can help teenagers to gain clarity and an understanding of what's genuinely true for them. This leads to appropriate personal expression of their gender identity and sexuality and reduces the risk of exploitation and abuse.​

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If your teenager is cutting themselves they are emotionally overwhelmed and resorting to self-harm because they are desperate for relief. Some teenagers really do experience self-harm as temporary relief from their emotional problems. It's not usually a very serious medical issue but it can leave permanent visible scars that advertise a history of mental illness. Self-harm is a clear sign that your teenager needs help fast. 

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All families fight but intense conflict in the family can reach a level of harm that interferes with proper teenage development and damages their most important current and future relationships. Individual and family therapy can go a long way to correcting this common problem.

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Psychotherapy is a powerful tool for personal growth and development. There doesn't have to be anything wrong for the average teenager to benefit from psychotherapy and become mentally stronger. Maturity can be accelerated. Emotional strength and resilience can be enhanced. Goals can be clarified and refined. Success in personal and professional relationships can be achieved.  

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Psychoeducation is about making sure that teenagers understand the basics of how their minds work and what their minds need. This covers things like how emotions work, psychological needs, developing an understanding of what's healthy and what's not and how to tell the difference, and the predictable psychological effects of certain things like exercise or trauma. Psychoeducation helps to set the groundwork for further healing and growth.

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Most teenagers have or will eventually experiment with mind altering substances. Managing this natural curiosity correctly is an important safety concern. It is crucial to do it in a way that does not damage our relationship with our teenagers. Relational damage is unfortunately common and puts teenagers at an increased risk of developing a destructive addiction.

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I have experience and ability working with teenagers with ASD Level 1 - what used to be called Asperger's syndrome. These teenagers are very likely to misunderstand social situations and be, in turn, misunderstood by their peers. They can often judge themselves negatively for having ASD. This limits their ability to accept themselves as they are and to advocate for themselves appropriately to improve their social and school lives. 

The teenage years are a magical time for friendships and relationships of all kinds. Many important lessons and opportunities to mature happen only because teenagers are engaged in different relationships. If your teenager has trouble making or keeping friends or has no interest in romantic relationships they would likely benefit from some focused attention on their social life in psychotherapy. 

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