Adolescents

Skillful counseling and/or supportive medication for adolescents, ages 16 and up, to address:

Psychiatric Symptoms

• Anxiety
• OCD/obsessive-compulsive symptoms
• Depression and other mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder
• ADHD
• Trauma and PTSD

… And Common Life Challenges

• Grief and loss
• Life transitions
• Relationship distress
• Illness
• Academic challenges
• Sexual and identity-related issues

Suffering from anxiety, depression, chronic stress, or other challenges can thwart an adolescent’s attempts to create healthy relationships and to accomplish life-defining goals. I offer psychiatric care during late adolescence, for young men and women ages 16 and up, that respects the individual’s emerging independence while balancing real-life concerns about physical and emotional safety.

My joyful experiences with adolescents have included:

• Supervision of youth in professional settings
• Mentoring teens in volunteer programs
• Medical care of pregnant and parenting adolescents
• Providing health education to teens in high school and college settings
• Psychotherapy, both individual and supportive group work, with at-risk youth
• Management of psychiatric medications for adolescents suffering from a variety of anxiety and mood disorders, and ADHD
• Collaboration with parents, guardians, and others supporting teens

My approach with teens combines developmentally-specific therapy with down-to-earth “straight talk.”  This sets the stage for adolescents to experience a supportive, mature, and challenging relationship in order to learn the skills necessary to take on his or her own wellness in adulthood. When prescribing medication to teens, I educate each individual about the multiple origins of their symptoms and the various options for treatment, including non-medical options. This is as an important step towards furthering an adolescent’s autonomy and understanding of his or her own body, moods, and experiences.

A Note to Parents & Guardians…

Although teens age 14 and above are able to seek and receive medical care independently in Oregon, psychiatric providers are required to involve parents or guardians in treatment prior to termination of care. I typically involve supportive adults, with the teen’s awareness, early in treatment, and whenever necessary.  Exceptions include the rare circumstances when parental involvement could lead to harm, or when an adolescent has been legally emancipated.

Parents often attend sessions intermittently, or come in without their teen. This allows me to learn about your important perspective on your adolescent’s personality, strengths, and challenges.  Additionally, I can offer support and education regarding the developmental tasks that a teen in late adolescence must accomplish to advance into the world as a happy, successful adult.

See Meet Adria to get acquainted with my philosophy and treatment approach.
Click on Services, Contact, New Clients, and Insurance for the particulars.