Support for Adolescents and Their Families

Adolescent therapy is a developmentally attuned space where teens can process identity, emotions, peer dynamics, and family relationships.

We balance confidentiality with parental collaboration.

What It Will Feel Like at Forbes Individual & Family Therapy

Adolescence is a period of profound internal transition. At ForbesIFT, we provide a space where teens feel seen as individuals, not just as a set of symptoms to be fixed. Our approach ensures that therapy feels:

Respectful and Non-Lecturing: We engage with teens as emerging adults, moving away from "advice-giving" to foster their own agency and insight.
Emotionally Safe: We create a secure environment where the "unspoken" can be explored without judgment or the pressure to perform.
Curiously Attuned: We are deeply interested in the teen’s unique internal world and the evolving identity they are navigating.
Translational: We help bridge the gap between internal distress and outward behavior, helping teens articulate the complex emotions that often manifest as:
- Irritability or "acting out"
- Emotional shutdown and withdrawal
- Defiance or resistance to authority

Understanding adolescent and teen therapy.

What It Is Used to Treat

Self-esteem issues

Anxiety and depression

Family conflict

Social struggles

Trauma

Identity development

Academic stress

How Long It Lasts

Meaningful change in adolescence takes time and consistency. Most teens experience the greatest benefit from 6 to 12 months of weekly sessions, allowing them the space to move beyond surface-level symptoms and develop a more integrated sense of self. This timeline ensures that the progress they make becomes a lasting foundation for their adulthood.

Why Forbes Individual & Family Therapy

At Forbes, we specialize in the complex intersection of developmental psychology and attachment. Our depth-oriented approach allows us to understand the "why" behind a teen’s behavior, not just the behavior itself. We maintain a delicate balance—collaborating with parents to support the family system while fiercely protecting the therapeutic trust necessary for a teen to speak their truth.