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Therapy for Teens in Lancaster, CA — Helping Your Child Heal, Connect, and Thrive

Your teen or preteen went through something very hard. They might not say anything to you about it, but you may be seeing signs like:


• Trouble focusing or slipping grades


• Withdrawing from family and friends


• Losing interest in things they used to love


• Feeling edgy, sad, or emotionally unpredictable


• Shutting down or getting easily overwhelmed

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If your child is 12–19 and struggling emotionally, socially, or academically, the whole family feels it. You want to help, but they won't open up—or the power struggle gets in the way.

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That’s where teen therapy comes in. A safe space with someone outside the family, where they can actually talk. This might be a crucial chance to turn their life around for the better.

Learn more about teen therapy

Let's figure out what they actually need.

The Challenges Teens Face Today

Today’s teens face more stressors than ever. Even before the pandemic, young people in Southern California were struggling with anxiety and depression. Then COVID upended their education, social lives, and routines—sending those numbers even higher. Re-adjusting to in-person school has been hard for many.

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Maybe you’ve tried teen therapy before and they didn’t engage. Adolescents change their minds. Now might be the right time to check in—do they need an experienced, compassionate therapist?

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According to a UCLA policy brief, about 45% of kids ages 12–17 reported significant stress in 2021. Teens are also sensitive to the political climate, even before they can vote.

Other challenges that take a toll:

  • Family conflict

  • Being adopted

  • Bullying

  • Navigating LGBTQ+ identity

  • Physical differences

  • Poverty

  • Immigration status

  • Racial identity...and more. Each of these pressures is real, and the right therapist can help your teen carry them without carrying them alone.

brooding white teen boy in blue t shirt, with hand on chin, with bowl and glass in front of him on table

Teens also feel pressure around the future—college, climate, politics. They crave independence but still need support.

Therapy can be a way back to your teen—room to heal together. You still matter to them, whether they say it or not.

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Loss—whether from death, a move, or a breakup—hits teens hard. They may not have words for it, but they often show it. In teen therapy, I use Solution Focused Brief Therapy and art therapy to help them work through tough issues. Creativity is empowering. For trauma, EMDR and the Flash Technique work well too.

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Make a positive difference in your teen's life today.

Asian and Caucasian teen girls hanging out together near cars

How Therapy for Teens Can Help

I often hear from adults who struggled with depression, anxiety, or PTSD as teens: I wish my parents had gotten me therapy sooner. They would have suffered far less.

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Trauma, anxiety, depression, and grief don’t have to define your teen’s future. They can heal and grow beyond the pain. And you can have a healthier, more easygoing relationship with them again—noticing them feel more at ease, more outgoing. That same loveable teen is still in there, wanting someone to care and give them space to heal and grieve. Hard to remember when they’re especially ornery, but it’s true.

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Teen therapy helps them express their pain in healthy ways—without upending the relationships that matter most.​ I help teens (ages 12 and up) navigate a wide range of heavy emotional challenges, including:

 

  • Trauma, PTSD, and past painful experiences that still pop up in daily life

 

  • Overwhelming anxiety, panic, social anxiety, or feeling constantly stuck in "fight or flight"

 

  • Grief and loss—whether from the death of a loved one, a major life change, or the end of a friendship group

 

  • Identity exploration, LGBTQ+ minority stress, or feeling judged and misunderstood for who they are

 

Together we find effective coping tools for intense emotions that make them feel like they are "too much" for the people around them.

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Get help for your struggling teen.

FAQs: Do You Have Questions About Teen Therapy?

  • What are therapy sessions like for teens and preteens?

Therapy for adolescents is similar to adult therapy but focuses more on family and school dynamics. Play and art may be involved to engage their interest. Depending on their comfort level, I may meet with them individually, with their caregiver, or all together. Online sessions give us  flexibility to schedule around school and work. I aim to create a safe space where they can comfortably express themselves and develop healthy coping skills .

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  • Will I know what my child discusses in therapy?

Your child needs a safe, private space to open up, but I also recognize caregivers' need to stay informed. While most conversations remain confidential, I will share any safety-related concerns including self-harm, or risky behaviors. I also encourage teens to communicate with caregivers. I can facilitate family discussions as needed.

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  • How do I know therapy will work for my child?

While I can’t guarantee results, I have over 20 years of experience helping young people navigate trauma and grief. My clinical training, combined with my understanding of adolescent struggles, allows me to guide them in transforming pain into meaning and purpose.

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color photo of African American girl smiling with eyes closed and mouth open

Ready to help your teen thrive?

Online Teen Therapy in Lancaster and throughout California

Lisa S. Larsen, Psy.D.(she/her/hers)

3123 W Ave L 8, Lancaster, CA 93536

+16612336771

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I offer exclusively online therapy for everyone's safety and convenience.​

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Please click the button below to schedule a discovery call. Thank you. I look forward to speaking with you soon!

Get relief for your teen

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