Counseling Therapy for Teens and Adolescents in San Francisco
Helping teens thrive.
The teenage years are hard, but working with a teen counselor can help.
There’s a big difference between surviving the teen years and actually thriving in them. We help teens develop coping skills for stress and anxiety so they can become happier and more resilient in every area of life.
Going through the natural progression from kid to adult is challenging for most people, but when is it time to reach out for help? Hormones can only explain so much.
In fact, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders are increasingly common for teenagers today, and waiting to get help can make things worse over time.
Seeking teen counseling and therapy for minor issues can help prevent major issues down the road.
At Calm Again Counseling, we have teen counseling sessions to provide them with support, giving them skills to help them navigate things like school and the anxieties/pressure that come alongside it successfully.
Is your teen struggling with…
Lack of motivation
Social anxiety, self-esteem, and shyness
Struggling to find their identity
Sadness and depression
Sexuality concerns
Coming out or gender identity
Behavior problems
Substance abuse and addiction
Academic issues
Anger management
Family concerns
We create a non-judgemental, collaborative partnership with your teen so they can freely explore their challenges and emerging identities.
We equip your teen with practical coping skills they can start using as soon as their first appointment.
When helpful, we’ll be a communication bridge between teens, parents, and siblings. And if you’d like us to collaborate directly with other important people in your teen’s life, such as teachers, school administrators, social workers, nutritionists, or psychiatrists—we’ll happily do that too.
We care that your teen has a strong support system—to help navigate the journey from adolescence into adulthood with more resilience, confidence, courage, and joy.
Help your teen thrive by reaching out to a Calm Again Counselor Today!
Teen Counseling in San Francisco
When Growing Up Feels Too Heavy, We’re Here to Help
Being a teen in San Francisco today comes with challenges that often go unseen—from academic pressure and identity struggles to the constant buzz of social media. At Calm Again Counseling, we offer teen counseling in San Francisco that helps adolescents feel heard, supported, and emotionally equipped to navigate life's challenges.
Whether your teen is struggling silently or showing clear signs of distress, we’re here to meet them with empathy, patience, and the right tools for change.
How Teen Therapy in San Francisco Helps Teens Reconnect With Themselves
Teenagers often lack the language to express what they’re feeling. They may act out, shut down, or say nothing at all—but that doesn’t mean everything is fine.
Our licensed teen therapists in San Francisco help adolescents:
Understand and manage emotions like anxiety, anger, sadness, and shame
Build healthy coping skills and emotional regulation tools
Explore identity, self-worth, and interpersonal boundaries without judgment
Reconnect with themselves when they’ve lost confidence or direction
Communicate more effectively with parents, peers, and teachers
We offer individual counseling for teens in San Francisco, with the option to involve family members when helpful. Our goal is to help teens feel more grounded, more capable, and more connected to who they are becoming.
Online Teen Counseling San Francisco Families Can Trust
Sometimes the hardest part of therapy is just getting to the appointment. That’s why we offer online teen counseling in San Francisco for those who need more flexibility or feel more comfortable opening up from their own space.
Whether your teen is managing depression, anxiety, social struggles, or school-related stress, online therapy allows them to meet with a trusted therapist through secure video, on their terms. It’s private, effective, and grounded in the same compassionate care we bring to every in-person session.
Common Reasons Teens Seek Therapy in San Francisco
Adolescence is complex, and no two teens experience it the same way. Some of the most common reasons teens come to us for therapy in San Francisco include:
Depression, low self-worth, or a sense of numbness
Anxiety, panic attacks, or chronic worry
Social withdrawal or isolation
Difficulty with identity, gender, or sexuality
School-related pressure, burnout, or perfectionism
Emotional outbursts, mood swings, or difficulty regulating anger
Life transitions like divorce, relocation, or loss
Traumatic experiences or ongoing stress at home or school
We also see teens who don’t have a “label” for what they’re feeling—just a deep sense that something isn’t right.
What to Expect From Teen Depression & Anxiety Counseling in SF
If your teen is dealing with depression or anxiety, we provide evidence-based, teen-friendly treatment that gets to the heart of their experience without overwhelming them.
Our San Francisco depression therapists use approaches like:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for building awareness and self-regulation
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for emotional resilience
ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) for identity development
Trauma-informed care for those with deeper emotional wounds
These are not one-size-fits-all methods. Each session is adapted to your teen’s communication style, personality, and readiness for change.
Find the Right Teen Therapist in San Francisco for Your Family
Therapy works best when there’s trust. That’s why we make the process of finding a teen therapist in San Francisco simple, thoughtful, and personalized.
We start with a 15-minute consultation to understand your teen’s challenges and goals. From there, we’ll match them with a therapist who’s a good emotional and clinical fit. And while we honor teen privacy, we also welcome parent involvement where it’s appropriate—whether that’s joint check-ins or collaborative sessions.
Our Approach to Teen Counseling in San Francisco
We don’t believe in “talking at” teens or offering generic advice. Our therapists create collaborative, respectful partnerships where teens feel free to express themselves without fear of judgment.
Sessions are structured but flexible.
We incorporate creative and somatic methods when appropriate.
We help teens become emotionally literate—able to name, feel, and shift their internal experience.
We offer guidance, but never pressure.
Teens are still forming who they are. Our work is about helping them become more confident in that process, not steering them away from it.
Why Families Choose Calm Again Counseling for Teen Therapy in San Francisco
We understand San Francisco’s unique cultural, academic, and social environment. From tech-industry kids to activist teens, LGBTQ+ youth, and students navigating competitive schools, we create therapy experiences that reflect and respect that diversity.
Families choose us because:
We use research-based, teen-centered approaches
We offer both in-person and online teen therapy across San Francisco
Our therapists are deeply committed to adolescent mental health
We balance teen independence with parent partnership
Our care is always affirming, non-judgmental, and trauma-informed
Get Started With Teen Counseling in San Francisco
Your teen deserves more than just getting by—they deserve the space to grow, heal, and become more fully themselves.
Whether they’re open to therapy or unsure, we’ll meet them where they are with patience and respect. Teen counseling in San Francisco can be the turning point they need—and we’re here when you’re ready to take that step.
Book a consultation today to connect with a trusted teen therapist in San Francisco.
FAQs
How does teen counseling help?
Teen counseling helps navigate their lives by helping them develop self-awareness, healthy coping mechanisms, and the tools needed to address difficult emotions. For teens who have trauma or mental health issues, counseling will help them develop a recovery-oriented relationship to these challenges.
My teen doesn’t want to go to counseling? How do I persuade them?
We do not recommend forcing or coercing your teen to go to therapy if they do not want to go. This could cause the teen’s relationship with therapy to be more like a punishment than a positive outlet.
If you believe your child could benefit from therapy, you could provide them with the option to “test it out” by scheduling a 15-minute consult call with one of our teen mental health therapists. Additionally, you could seek out individual therapy for yourself so that you can develop the parenting techniques needed to help your child navigate their difficulties. This also sets a positive example of the benefits of therapy and mental health counseling.
For a teen client, does the teen attend the consult call? Or the parent? Or both?
This is up to the preference of the family. Ideally, the teen is involved in the consultation process, but it is not required. If the teen is younger than 18, then a parent or guardian must sign a consent form for the teen to be treated.
How do I know if my teen needs therapy?
There are many reasons your teen could benefit from therapy. We highly recommend teen counseling and therapy for those struggling with trauma and mental illness. Additionally, if your teen is experiencing difficulty with any of the symptoms mentioned on this page, teen counseling is an effective way to help your teen move through their challenges.
I'm a teen who wants therapy. How do I persuade my parents to take me?
If you are a teen who believes you could benefit from therapy, we would be happy to have a 15-minute consult call with you, your parents, and a therapist who can speak with you all. If you are under the age of 18, you will need your parent’s consent to engage in therapy. Having your parents communicate with the therapist during a free consult call can give them confidence in the process and a better understanding of how you may benefit from teen counseling.
What therapy is best for teens?
At Calm Again Counseling, we use a variety of therapy modalities as a treatment plan for each teen’s specific needs. These include EMDR, CBT, Mindfulness, DBT, Play Therapy, and Psychodynamic, amongst others.
How do you include parents in teen counseling?
Parents should be included in the consult call with the therapist. We encourage parents to join the last 5 minutes of a session so that the teen has an opportunity to discuss the session with the parent in the company of the therapist. Additionally, if you and your child see fit, you can have joint sessions from time to time.
How do I schedule an appointment?
You can call us directly and get in touch with our client coordinator, or fill out our contact form on our website and get a response in less than 24 hours.