Preteen and Teen Therapy
Play and Art is for
Everyone!
Play Therapy is not just for little kids
Many people think of play therapy as something for young children.
At CTSD, we work with preteens and teens, and we know that they
greatly benefit from utilizing additional methods of communication
- there is more than just talking!
​Along with conversation,we use art, play,and many other expressive
arts techniques to help teens and preteens express their feelings, explore their identity, and make sense of what they are going through.​
Sometimes it is easier to draw, build, or create something than to find the right words, and that is where real insight can begin.
The teenage years are a wonderful and challenging time of life.It is a time of self-discovery, of searching for a more mature sense of self, a time of doubts and discoveries.
Teen Therapy at Child Therapy San Diego
​Teenagers are figuring out who they are, who they want to be, and where they belong. It is also a time of major change in the brain.
Psychiatrist Daniel Siegel describes adolescence as a period of "remodeling" where the brain prunes away connections that are not being used and strengthens the ones that are, which makes it more efficient and specialized.
This process brings real gifts, like creativity, passion, and a drive to explore new things. It can also bring intense emotions, risk-taking, and a strong pull toward friends and away from family. These changes are a normal and important part of growing up, and they can feel overwhelming
for teens and parents alike.
​
Preteen therapy at Child Therapy San Diego
The preteen years are a time of in-between, no longer a little kid, not quite a teenager. Bodies begin to change, friendships become more complicated, and the move to middle school brings new pressures, all while preteens are learning to balance a growing need for independence with their
continued need for support.
Supporting Teens and Parents Together
These years can be hard on both sides. Parents may feel shut out or worried, and tweens and teens may feel misunderstood or pressured. Our clinicians help open up communication between parents and their children, so both can feel heard and the relationship can grow stronger through this stage. We also support young people as they reshape who they are and build confidence in the person they are b
Our approach
We move at each young person's pace. Our approach is honest, collaborative, and respectful of their experience, with plenty of room for creativity and fun.
Preteens and teens are active partners in their therapy, and together we set goals that feel meaningful to them.
​​Healing and Support
Therapy doesn't have to start with a problem. Whether your kid is facing a specific challenge or simply navigating the ups and downs of growing up, therapy can be a place to grow, reflect, and feel understood.
Either way, CTSD professionals are here for your family.
You don't need to wait for a problem
to seek therapy for your teen.
Therapy can be a supportive space for your preteen or teen to talk, create, and grow, and a resource for your whole family during this beautiful and intense stage of life.