Rockland County Counseling is now Embrace Psychotherapy!
(845) 540-1002
Psychotherapy for Teens
Parenting a teenager who is struggling is its own kind of hard. You can see something is wrong — the withdrawal, the outbursts, the low mood, the anxiety that keeps them from things they used to enjoy — and you want to help, but you're not always sure how to reach them. Therapy can be that outside space where a teen doesn't have to protect you from what they're feeling.
At Embrace Psychotherapy & Education, we work with teens in a way that takes them seriously. Not as a problem to be managed, but as people figuring out something genuinely difficult.
What brings teens to therapy
Teens we work with are often dealing with:
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Anxiety, worry, or persistent low mood
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Low self-esteem or struggles with identity
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Social difficulties, conflict with peers, or isolation
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Emotional dysregulation — big reactions that feel hard to control
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School refusal, academic pressure, or motivation concerns
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Behavioral changes that feel out of character
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Processing a difficult experience, loss, or family transition
How we work
Our approach with teens is evidence-based and practical. Dialectical Behavior Therapy is one of the primary frameworks we use — it gives teens concrete skills for managing intense emotions, tolerating distress, and improving relationships, without requiring them to have everything figured out first.
Sessions are collaborative. Your teen's clinician will meet them where they are, build trust at a pace that feels safe, and focus on what matters most to them. Teens are more likely to engage when therapy doesn't feel like something being done to them, and that shapes how we approach every session.
The role of parents and family
We believe parents are part of the picture, not outside of it. When appropriate, we collaborate with parents to ensure the support at home is consistent with the work happening in sessions. We also work alongside school counselors and educators when that coordination would benefit your teen.
That said, your teen's sessions are their space. We work with them to understand what they're comfortable sharing and with whom, and we involve parents in a way that strengthens rather than undermines the therapeutic relationship.
What to expect
The first session is a chance to get to know each other. Your teen's clinician will ask about what's been going on, what they find difficult, what they're good at, and what they'd like to feel differently about. Parents may be included at the start of the first session or separately, depending on what makes sense for your situation.
From there, a treatment plan is built around your teen's specific needs and goals. Sessions typically happen weekly, and frequency is adjusted as things progress.
Most new clients are seen within the same week of reaching out.
Who this is a good fit for
We work with tweens and teens. This service is a good fit if your teen is willing to engage, even reluctantly. It's also a good fit if you're not sure therapy is the right call but something feels off and you want a professional opinion.
If your teen requires a higher level of care than outpatient therapy can provide, we will help you identify the right resources.
Fees and insurance
We accept several major insurance plans. Private pay, out-of-network superbills, EAP programs, and sliding-scale arrangements are also available. Contact our office to confirm your coverage before the first appointment.
Common questions
My teen doesn't want to come. Should I force them?
It depends. Some resistance is normal and often fades once a teen meets a clinician who doesn't feel threatening. Forcing therapy on a strongly resistant teen rarely works, but a brief consultation with our team can help you figure out the best approach for your specific situation.
Will you tell me what my teen shares in sessions?
Confidentiality in teen therapy has specific limits. Your teen's clinician will explain those clearly at the start — including when information would need to be shared with a parent for safety reasons. Outside of those limits, what your teen shares stays in the room. That boundary is part of what makes the space safe enough to actually use.
Ready to take the next step
We respond to all new inquiries within 24 hours. When you reach out, our intake coordinator will learn about your teen's situation and help match them with the right clinician. Use the form below to get started.