online therapy for teens lafayette

Online Therapist for Teens in Lafayette

A path to more
connection resilience confidence fulfillment
in your teen's life.

Signs Your Teen Might Need Extra Support

Teenage years can be tough, and your teen might be struggling more than usual. Balancing schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and preparing for college while navigating physical changes and social pressures can feel overwhelming. These challenges might be amplifying their anxiety, and when they seem to withdraw, it can be hard to know how to help.

You want your teen to be happy, healthy, and confident as they grow into adulthood. If it feels like things are spiraling, connecting with a trusted therapist for teens in Lafayette, CA, could provide the guidance and support they need.

Here are some signs they may need extra help:

  • Struggling with high achiever anxiety

  • Doubting their abilities & worried about meeting expectations

  • Expressing fear about the future

  • Reluctant to stray from their comfort zone or try new things

  • Dealing with bullying or issues in their friend group

  • Bottling up feelings or shutting down completely

  • Having mood swings that affect the entire household

  • Beating themselves up and constantly comparing themselves to their peers

It can feel helpless watching your child struggle this way.

Giving them an outlet through therapy can change everything.

How therapy works

Therapy can help your teen face the challenges of this stage of life with confidence.

Therapy offers your teen a supportive space to feel heard, understood, and accepted. Together, we’ll build practical tools to help them manage stress, reduce anxiety, and confidently approach challenges. Through our sessions, they’ll gain clarity about who they are and what they want from life, empowering them to make decisions without feeling overwhelmed.

We’ll also learn what healthy friendships and relationships should feel like so they can learn to identify and let go of unhealthy ones. Therapy can help teens develop communication skills to advocate for themselves, handle conflicts, and process their emotions in a manageable and productive way.

The skills and insights they gain in therapy can make this stage of life more enjoyable and help them grow into confident, self-assured young adults.

Katie Byram Therapy for teens and college students in lafayette california

My approach

In therapy with me…

  • Over nearly a decade of working with teens, I’ve found that the most important part at the beginning of our work is establishing trust and rapport. Whatever your child is feeling or going through, I meet them where they are without judgment or criticism, and make it a priority that they feel seen and heard in our sessions. I want them to know that I am a safe space for them to talk about anything.

    Parents have told me that, along with my expertise, they felt good about their child working with me because I’m committed to always being honest. While I’ll always honor your child’s privacy, I’m happy to bring you in to talk through things if they are open to that.

  • In the first session with your teen, we’ll start getting to know one another and talk about what's led them to see me. I’ll take the time to connect with them on their level, whether that’s over their hobbies, the music they love, or the shows they love to watch. Then, we’ll touch on what they’re struggling with, where they’d like to see themselves go in life, and how we can work toward getting there together.

  • I’ll equip your child with tools and skills to manage stress and anxious thoughts, offering new insights and perspectives that can help them begin feeling more comfortable in their own skin. I’ll support them through understanding that comparing themselves to others is often unhelpful, and that healthy friendships and relationships won’t require them to change who they are.

    I’ll encourage them to have conversations with you about how they’re feeling, so that they build communication skills that will carry into adulthood. Through this journey, they’ll find a sense of confidence that, along with the skills they’ll gain, will help them move through these turbulent years and come out the other side strong and capable.

Therapy can help your teen discover:

  • More confidence — They’ll have more confidence in themselves, their abilities, & their choices.

  • Ways to manage overthinking & anxiety — They’ll have tools and skills to find calm in any circumstance.

  • Their values — They’ll know what’s important to them & how to stay true to themselves.

  • Goals for the future — They’ll look forward to what’s to come & know how to get there.

free consultation

Ready to see your child reach their full potential?

Click the link below to schedule a free, 20-minute phone consultation. Then, I can answer any questions you may have and get to know a bit more about what has led you to seek therapy for your child. If you feel we’re a good fit, we’ll schedule our first session. My practice is fully online, which means your child can access well-being from the comfort of their own space. If they pursue college in California, I can continue supporting them from there, too.

Frequently asked questions about teen therapy

  • Therapy is beneficial at any stage, but typically, teens as young as 12 can engage meaningfully in sessions. For younger adolescents, therapy might involve more creative approaches to meet their developmental needs. The focus is always on tailoring the process to fit their age, personality, and challenges, so they feel supported every step of the way.

  • Each family’s needs are different, so my approach depends on the situation. I’ve found that teens benefit the most from therapy when they feel they have a sense of ownership over the process. If your teen is open to it, I’m happy to involve parents in some sessions to build connection and understanding. At the same time, I encourage teens to develop their own communication skills and confidence. If there’s ever a concern about something potentially harmful, I will always ensure parents are informed.

  • It’s natural for teens to feel hesitant about therapy at first, especially if they’re unsure of what to expect. A skilled therapist knows how to create a welcoming environment and build trust gradually. In the beginning, sessions might focus on establishing a connection and helping your teen feel comfortable. Over time, they often find it easier to open up when they realize it’s a space where they won’t be judged or pressured.

  • I understand how busy life can get with school, work, and family commitments. That’s why all therapy sessions are held online, offering your family the flexibility to fit sessions into your schedule. Your teen can attend from the comfort of home or even during a study break, eliminating the need for extra travel time. We’ll work together to find a schedule that works for you, so your teen can still get the support they need without disrupting your routine.

  • It’s natural for teens to experience highs and lows, but when feelings of sadness or hopelessness linger, it might indicate something deeper, like depression. If your teen seems withdrawn, isolates themselves, or struggles to bounce back from setbacks, these could be signs they need extra support. Therapy can provide a safe space for them to work through these feelings and find their way back to a healthier, happier place.

  • Absolutely, therapy can be a powerful tool for helping teens manage anxiety. It offers a space where they can better understand their anxious thoughts, learn practical coping strategies, and explore any underlying causes of their worry. With the right support, your teen can build resilience and feel more in control of their emotions.