Testimonials

"Since working with Tracy, I have seen a new side of myself.  I am more outgoing and a person who is able to say how I feel.  I feel that Tracy has played a big part in that.  She is like a pair of non- judgmental ears and I feel that she is always there for me."
- SM, 14 Year Old Client

"Tracy is a compassionate, warm, and fun therapist who understands teens and parents at a very deep level. Highest recommendation."

  Douglas Green, MA, MFT
  Marriage & Family Therapist
  Colleague, known for 4 years

TEEN RESOURCES

Crisis Intervention

Teen Line
Teens Helping Teens- Connect, Talk, Chat, Get Help!
6pm to 10pm Daily
310-855-HOPE
www.teenlineonline.org

Teen 2 Teen Hotline
Trained Volunteer Teen Counselors available to help
5pm to 9pm Daily
714-639-8336
www.teenline.org

National Suicide Prevention Hotline
24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
800-273-8255
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center CRISIS LINE
24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
877-727-4747
www.didihirsch.org

Websites

Teen Depression
Non-profit organization helping people understand teenage depression
Statistics, Prevention, Facts on Teenage Depression
www.teendepression.org

Alateen
A subset of Al-Anon specializing in Teen family or friends of alcoholics
12-Step Meetings
www.al-anon.alateen.org/for-alateen

Anxiety for Dummies
A guide with helpful tips on reducing anxiety
www.dummies.com/how-to/content/overcoming-anxiety-for-dummies-cheat-sheet.html

HelpGuide.org
Non-profit organization providing information on many different psychological disorders for adults, children and families
www.helpguide.org

Low/No Cost Resources

LA 211
Operators available to provide referrals based on your need
24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
211 from your phone or 800-339-6993

It’s not always easy to put what you’re feeling into words.  Here are some common ways teens like you describe their feelings:

•  You feel sad, angry, or irritable all the time
•  Nothing seems fun anymore, and you just don’t see the point of trying
•  You feel bad about yourself—worthless, guilty, or just "wrong" in some way
•  You sleep too much or not enough
•  You have frequent, unexplained headaches or other physical problems
•  Anything and everything makes you cry
•  You’ve gained weight or lost weight for no reason
•  You just can’t concentrate. Your grades may be getting worse
•  You feel helpless and hopeless
•  You’re thinking about death or suicide (If this is true, talk tosomeone right away!)

If you are experiencing problems like Divorce, dealing with Step Parents or Step Siblings, Family Dysfunction, Bullying, Abuse, Neglect, or you are Depressed, Anxious, having Suicidal thoughts , Cutting, Using Alcohol, Drugs or Smoking Marijuana, it’s time for you to get help!
 
It may feel like things will never change and nothing will work.  All I can promise is that nothing will change unless something is done.   Give yourself a chance to feel better.  Ask your parents to call me.  I want to help you.

               TIPS FOR CUMMUNICATING WITH YOUR PARENTS

Communicating with parents can be difficult.  It’s easy to get irritated by parents because they just don’t stop to understand.  Here are some helpful tips to make communicating with your parents easier.

1. Be Truthful
Try and be truthful to your parents.  If you want them to understand you, it’s up to you to give them as much truthful information about you as possible.  Being frank with your parents builds trust and provides them with the facts they need to really understand where you are coming from. 

2. Be Clear
Don’t forget, people are not mind readers.  If you want your parents to know something, you need to tell them clearly. If you're asking for something, be clear in stating what you want and why you're asking for it.  Try to use simple language they can understand.  When they know exactly what you’re asking and why, they are more likely to agree to it.  Your parents will never know you unless you clearly tell them what you’re about.

3. Come from a Place of Love
Try not to talk to your parents when you’re angry.  When people are mad, they say things they don’t mean and that doesn’t help anyone.  Ask them for space to cool off and come back to them when you’re ready.  When you’re ready, tell them how you feel, not what they need to do.  Saying, “It makes me really sad/mad when you treat me like a baby” is much more powerful than, “Stop treating me like a baby!”

4. Prepare Your Talking Time
When you have something to say, set up a time to do it.  Winging it usually doesn’t work.  If your parents aren’t mentally prepared to talk to you, you’ll get nowhere.  Ask for time with them and think about what you want to say.

5. Don't Give Up
Communicating is hard to do.  It’s not always going to work out as you planned or hoped for.  Don’t give up.  The key to good communication is trying and learning from what didn’t work.  Some parents are better to talk to in the morning than in the evening.  Some parents are easier to talk to over dinner, on weekends, or right before bed.  Keep trying and you’ll find what works best in your family.