Monica Coleman

Maybe your child is having angry outbursts you don't know how to handle, your teenager has become anxious or withdrawn, or every conversation at home seems to turn into an argument. For teens and young adults, you may be struggling to focus, feeling overwhelmed by emotions you can't explain, dealing with obsessive thoughts, or carrying painful experiences that your family doesn't fully understand. These challenges can affect school, friendships, family relationships, confidence, and the overall peace in your home. I work with children, teens, young adults, and families to understand what's underneath these behaviors and emotions rather than simply labeling them as a problem. I also recognize that family expectations, culture, and identity can shape how we experience and talk about mental health. My goal is to help you or your child feel understood while building healthier ways to communicate, cope, and move forward.

I don't believe a child or teenager is simply "difficult" because they're angry, distracted, anxious, or acting differently than usual. Together, we'll understand what's driving the behavior and work on practical ways to handle overwhelming emotions, slow down impulsive reactions, manage anxious or obsessive thoughts, and communicate needs more effectively. With younger clients, therapy can include play and activities that make it easier to express feelings they may not yet know how to put into words. With teens and young adults, we'll talk openly about real life, including school pressure, family conflict, relationships, independence, identity, and the stress of figuring out what's next. When family dynamics are contributing to the problem, I'll also help parents and caregivers understand how they can respond differently and create healthier patterns at home. The goal isn't to change who you or your child are, but to make everyday life feel more manageable.

It's completely normal for a child, teenager, or even a parent to feel nervous about the first session. We'll start by talking about what's been happening, what has been hardest lately, and what you would like to see change at home, school, or in everyday life. For children and teens, I'll spend time understanding both the parent's concerns and the young person's perspective because those can sometimes be very different. Your child will also have room to speak honestly without feeling like therapy is another place where they're being lectured, disciplined, or told what's wrong with them. There is no expectation to solve everything or share every difficult experience during our first meeting. By the end, my goal is for everyone to feel heard and to have a clearer understanding of what we can begin working on together.