Adolescent Therapy in San Francisco

Supportive and grounded therapy to help teens manage big emotions, build confidence, and navigate life more easily.

Adolescent therapy creates a space where teens can slow down, feel heard, and make sense of what’s going on inside and around them. I work collaboratively—with the teen and, when helpful, their caregivers—to understand emotional patterns, stress responses, and relationship dynamics. Sessions might focus on mood swings, school pressure, identity questions, family tension, or just figuring out how to feel okay. I use body-based tools to help regulate strong emotions, along with honest, direct conversation that respects teens’ intelligence and autonomy. Over time, therapy helps build emotional clarity, stronger communication, and a steadier sense of self.

I Help Adolescents With:

1: Anxiety and stress: From school pressure to social fears, many teens feel overwhelmed. I help them recognize what fuels their anxiety and find concrete ways to calm it.

2: Depression and low motivation: Teens may shut down, isolate, or seem emotionally flat. Therapy helps them reconnect with themselves and take small steps forward.

3: Emotional regulation: Whether it's outbursts, shutdowns, or crying spells, we work on noticing emotional cues earlier and responding with more control and self-awareness.

4: School burnout and perfectionism: Especially in high-achieving environments like the Bay Area, teens often feel pressure to perform. We explore how to set boundaries, manage expectations, and stay connected to their own values.

5: Social struggles: Friendship issues, group dynamics, and social media stress can be intense. Therapy helps teens build confidence and navigate relationships more thoughtfully.

6: Identity exploration: Many teens are questioning who they are—gender, sexuality, values, or culture. I offer a supportive space to explore without judgment or pressure.

7: Body image and food concerns: Whether it's self-criticism or disordered habits, I support teens in building more trust and respect toward their bodies—without focusing on appearance or control.

8: Trauma or difficult past experiences: If your teen has been through something hard, therapy can help them feel safer and less alone—even if they’re not ready to talk about it directly.

9: Family conflict: When things feel tense at home, I help teens make sense of their reactions and communicate more clearly, so they feel less stuck or shut down.

10: Tech and screen overload: Many teens feel overstimulated, anxious, or disconnected after hours online. We explore how screen time affects their mood and focus, and how to reset in a way that actually works.

Ready to Get Started?

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Schedule a complimentary 20-minute phone consultation.

If it feels like a fit, we will schedule your first appointment.

Sessions are 50 minutes long.

Where We’ll Meet

I offer both in person and virtual sessions.

In person sessions are offered at The Marina Counseling Center. Virtual sessions are available to all California residents.

 

Adolescent Therapy FAQs

  • Maybe you’re feeling trapped in the same fight, talking past each other, or missing the closeness you once had. When trust is broken or resentment lingers, these are gentle signs your relationship needs care. Counseling offers a safe place to mend and reconnect.

  • It’s part research, part gut feel. Make sure that the logistics work (fee, insurance, location, and scheduling). Beyond that, you want to make sure it feels like a good fit. Think of questions ahead of time that you’d like to ask a prospective therapist. I recommend speaking to a few therapists to get a feel for who you’d connect with.

  • It’s likely there was a mismatch in approach or timing. I’ll work with you and your child to identify what wasn’t helpful before and tailor the process to fit your goals, communication style, and readiness.

  • All teen sessions are 50 minutes long. I will support your teen in mapping out their challenges, and through a combination of talk therapy and somatic techniques we will work to slow down what is happening and discover different ways of being and relating to others.

  • Many teens report feeling better after 3-6 months, but it can sometimes take longer than that. While I can’t promise a timeline, I can work with you to clarify goals and ensure everyone feels good about the progress that’s being made toward achieving that goal.

  • I offer rates on a sliding scale. We will go over fees in your first consultation call.

    I don’t take insurance, but I can provide you a superbills for our sessions and you may be able to get out-of-network reimbursements. Please reach out to your insurance company to check your benefits.

Hi, I’m Mikayla.

After nearly a decade working as an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist at large tech companies, I quit my job to pursue my Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.

I specialize in Somatic Psychotherapy, but each session will look different depending on a client's unique needs. I offer virtual and in-person sessions for individuals and couples at The Marina Counseling Center in San Francisco.

Additional Services