- Is your teen overwhelmed or shut down?
- Do their moods seem intense, volatile, or hard to manage?
- Are you unsure how to talk to them?
Many teens are carrying intense academic pressure, social stress, and uncertainty about their future. Parents notice mood changes, isolation, or conflict at home, while teens feel misunderstood, stuck, or unable to communicate.
We understand what adolescents in NYC are up against.
Teens come to us when they’re:
What Teen Therapy With Us Is Like
Our therapists bring experience in adolescent development, education, and college mental health.
Sessions balance conversation, reflection, and practical strategies so teens can make sense of their thoughts and feelings while gaining tools they can use right away.
Evidence-Based Therapy Approaches for Teens
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Offers concrete tools to manage stress and unhelpful thought patterns to improve coping and confidence.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Helps uncover underlying emotional patterns and how early relationships shape behavior. Builds self-awareness and emotional depth.
LEARN MORE
Motivational Interviewing
Supports goal setting and buy-in to increase engagement and follow-through.
Humanistic and Relational Work
Centers trust and an authentic connection between the client and therapist, helping teens feel heard and respected.
Together, we’ll uncover patterns and build skills to handle challenges with confidence.
We specialize in therapy for teens in-person in New York City and online across New York State
Our therapists come from educational and athletic backgrounds and have worked directly with teens in schools and college mental health settings. We understand the pressure adolescents face and the developmental challenges that make this stage of life so hard.
Therapy with teens is thoughtful and balanced. We respect their independence while keeping parents appropriately informed. Our goal is to help teens feel understood, supported, and capable of navigating what’s in front of them.
About LightLine Therapy | NYC
A former high school English teacher, academic tutor, and counselor at a college mental health center who understands the pressures teens are carrying.
Specializing in helping teens make sense of their emotions, develop self-awareness, and face challenges with more confidence.
Education, Credentials, & Trainings
- Licensed therapists in New York
- Backgrounds in education, adolescent development, athletics/team environments, and college mental health
- Training in psychodynamic therapy, CBT, and motivational interviewing
03 / First Session
We’ll begin building trust and identifying goals together.
02 / Brief Consultation
We’ll talk for a few minutes to see if we’re a good fit and answer questions from parents and teens.
01 / Contact Us
Send us a message or book a free consultation directly with a therapist.
3 Steps to Get Started
Looking to Support Your Teen?
How do I know if my teen needs therapy?
Many parents notice changes before their teen can name what’s wrong. This might include mood swings, withdrawal, increased irritability, or difficulty managing stress at school or home. Therapy can help when struggles start affecting daily life, relationships, or a teen’s sense of self, even if there isn’t a single clear crisis.
What issues can teen therapy help with?
Teen therapy can support emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, stress, identity questions, and relationship challenges. It also helps teens who feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck but don’t know how to explain why. Therapy provides a space to sort through these experiences in a way that feels safe and age-appropriate.
How involved are parents in teen therapy?
Parent involvement depends on the teen’s age, needs, and goals. We often check in with parents to share themes or progress while still respecting the teen’s privacy. This balance helps teens feel safe being honest while keeping parents appropriately informed.
What if my teen says they don’t want therapy?
Resistance or skepticism is very common and doesn’t mean therapy won’t help. Many teens warm up once they experience therapy as a space where they aren’t being lectured or fixed. Our therapists are very thoughtful about their approach, focusing on connection and collaboration first, not forcing participation.
What makes teen therapy different from adult therapy?
Teen therapy is developmentally focused and tailored to where adolescents are emotionally and cognitively. Sessions often use more flexible language, creativity, and real-life examples that resonate with teens. The goal is to support growth and self-understanding without treating teens like small adults.
Join our list for thoughtful updates, therapy reflections, and occasional tips on navigating the messy, beautiful work of being human.
