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When You're Worried About Your Teen or Young Adult, You're Carrying More Than You Realize
Supporting a struggling teen or young adult can leave you overwhelmed, scared, or unsure what to do next. You're doing your best, but it's a lot to hold on your own.
You don't have to carry it without support.
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You're Trying So Hard to Support Your Child, but You're Running on Empty Too
When your teen or young adult is struggling, it affects every part of your life.
You lie awake replaying conversations, trying to anticipate what they need next. You walk on eggshells, wanting to help but afraid of saying the wrong thing. You keep reminding yourself to "stay calm," even when you're overwhelmed, scared, or hurt by the way their emotions spill over onto you.
Maybe you're:
trying to support them while juggling your own responsibilities
unsure of what to say or do without making things worse
exhausted from being the one who holds everything together
feeling shut out, worried, or confused by their behavior
constantly scanning for signs they're "okay"
struggling with guilt, wondering if you missed something
This is a lot for one person to carry.
And you don't have to navigate it alone.
When They Pull Away or Lash Out, It's Not Because You're Failing Them
Teens and young adults often express distress in ways that feel confusing, sharp, or hurtful, especially toward the people they feel safest with. Their behavior can look disrespectful or "dramatic," when what's actually happening is this:
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They trust you.
They believe you'll still be there, even if their fear, shame, or overwhelm comes out louder or more intensely than intended.
It doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong.
It means you're their soft landing place, even when their pain is messy.
Sometimes they're trying to regulate emotions that are simply too big for them. And when they're scared or overwhelmed, that heaviness often spills onto the person they feel safest with: you.
Your child isn't trying to push you away. They're trying to cope with emotions that they don't understand yet.
And you don't have to take that on alone.
Learning to Co-Regulate Makes Hard Moments Easier for Both of You
When emotions run high, your child's nervous system reacts, and so does yours.
That doesn't make you a "bad" parent. It makes you human.
In emotionally charged moments, your body may go into fight, flight, or freeze. You might get louder without meaning to, withdraw because it feels like too much, or feel overwhelmed by guilt, fear, or frustration.
None of this is a personal failure.
It's your nervous system trying to protect you.
Teens and young adults experience the same thing, just in different ways.
And here's something many parents don't realize:
When your child steps away, shuts down, or goes quiet, it's often not because they don't care. It's because they're trying not to make things worse.
They're giving themselves space to understand what they're feeling so they don't spiral or say something hurtful.
That's not disrespect, that's self-regulation. And it's something worth supporting, not punishing.
And just like your child, you also deserve support in learning those same regulation skills.
Most of us were never taught how to co-regulate growing up, so of course it doesn't come naturally.
It's normal for your child's distress to activate your own body. That doesn't mean you've failed, it means you're connected.
Co-regulation is the foundation.
Co-regulation is simply the way one nervous system helps another settle, and it's one of the most powerful tools we have for calming conflict, fear, and emotional overwhelm. This is especially true for parents and their kids.
When you're able to slow your breathing, ground yourself, or take a brief step back, you signal safety to your child's nervous system.
And when your child learns how to do the same, communication becomes calmer, clearer, and more respectful on both sides.
This is the "put your oxygen mask on first" part of parenting. You start by calming your own system so you can help calm theirs.
When you learn how to regulate your nervous system, you are able to show up more fully for your child in their distress without taking it personally.
Because when your child steps away to take a breath, it isn't disrespect. It's them trying not to escalate the situation further.
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In therapy, we practice these skills together:
how to take a pause without it feeling like rejection
how to ground yourselves so conflict doesn't escalate
how to recognize when your nervous systems are overwhelmed
how to re-engage with each other in a way that feels safe
how to create shared plans for moments of tension or conflict
Sometimes I work with families to create an if–then plan — a simple, supportive structure so everyone knows what helps, what doesn't, and how to care for each other when emotions run high.
You're not expected to know how to do this on your own.
These are learned skills, and you and your child can learn them together.
You Don't Need to Have All the Answers.
That's Where I Come In
My role isn't to replace you.
It's to support your child in ways that are easier for them to accept from someone outside the family, and to support you in staying grounded, informed, and connected as we move through this process together.
Here's how I help:
I build a trusting relationship with your child so they feel safe, understood, and not judged
I help them learn to manage anxiety, stress, and big emotions in healthier, more effective ways
I teach coping tools they can actually use outside of session, not just in the moment.
I help them understand themselves more clearly so they can make thoughtful, confident decisions.
I support them in communicating more clearly,
with you and with others
I keep you involved in meaningful, appropriate ways (with your child's consent and comfort).
I offer guidance so you feel empowered, not left out or in the dark
You're not just investing in weekly sessions.
You're investing in a process designed to help your child stabilize, grow, and develop the tools they need to move forward, and to help you feel supported throughout the entire journey.
You're Doing the Best You Can,
And You Don't Have to Do It Alone
You've been carrying so much for your child.
You're not expected to have all the answers. No parent is, especially when their teen or young adult is struggling.
If you're ready for things to feel calmer, clearer, and more manageable for both you and your child, I'm here to help you take that next step.
There's no pressure and no commitment. Just a simple conversation to see whether this feels like the right support for your family.
We'll take the next step together.
Questions about getting started?
Let's take it one step at a time.
About Fees
I work as a private-pay therapist for teens and young adult women, because it allows me to offer consistent, individualized, high-quality care — without the limits that insurance often places on mental health treatment.
Beginning therapy is a meaningful investment, and it's completely normal to have questions.
Whether you're wondering about fees, superbills, or out-of-network reimbursement options,
I'll explain everything clearly so you know exactly what to expect.
Use the button below to reach out.
I'm here to support you through the process and help you decide whether this is the right fit for your family.