SAN DIEGO TEEN THERAPY

What they believe, they will become.

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Being a teen today is a lot. There are big feelings, growing pressure, and no clear path. School stress, social media, identity questions, family changes, anxiety, sadness, or just feeling like no one gets it—it can all make you lose your way.

Your teen might be shutting down, lashing out, or pulling away. Maybe they can’t find the words for what’s wrong. Or maybe they’re trying to hold it all together, but you can see the cracks forming.

Adolescence is already a time of huge transition—and when it’s paired with emotional struggles, they need more than just to “tough it out.” Sometimes, they need outside, professional support.

At Pathways Family Therapy, our approach to teen therapy in San Diego is grounded in meeting teens where they are, helping them feel understood, supporting them through healthy decision-making, and giving them the tools to move forward.

WHERE WILL THEY GO?

The goal is not perfection—it’s full potential

We want your teen to feel safe being who they are — and supported in figuring out who they’re becoming. With the right guidance, they can learn to express emotions in healthy ways, manage stress, build confidence, learn healthy negotiation with parents/peers, and form stronger connections.

The goal isn’t to “fix” them — it’s to help them feel steady, curious, and empowered. We help them discover how capable they really are, even in the face of big feelings and uncertainty.

HOW WILL THEY GET THERE?

Connection comes first—then growth can follow

Our therapists specialize in working with teens and tweens in a way that feels natural, respectful, and grounded in trust. Depending on their needs, therapy may include:

Talk therapy that meets them at their level
Coping tools for anxiety, depression, sadness, anger, or feeling overwhelmed
Support with identity, relationships, goals, or school stress
Family sessions to strengthen communication and understanding

Our Adolescent Mental Health Therapy in San Diego works with your teen at their pace—giving them space to be heard, skills to handle challenges, and the support to grow into the person they’re meant to be.

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Meet our San Diego teen counselors

Jennifer Phelps, LMFT

Good fit for creative teens and teens who don't want to be in therapy

I specialize in working with teens who don’t want to be in therapy or aren’t sure it will help. As a Registered Art Therapist, I offer something different from traditional talk therapy.

We might draw, create, or use mindfulness to make sense of what’s going on. This takes the pressure off and helps teens open up in their own way. My approach is relaxed, real, and collaborative, which often helps even the most hesitant teens feel understood and start to engage.

Credentials: Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist # 138186; Registered Art Therapist (ATR 21-224)
Specialty Areas: Anxiety, depression, trauma, identity formation, reluctant or first-time therapy clients, schizophrenia, addiction, art therapy

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Victoria Perez, LCSW

Good fit for teens navigating school stress and transitions

I work with teens navigating school stress, anxiety, and major family transitions like separation or divorce. As a bilingual therapist, I offer sessions in both English and Spanish, creating a space where teens and parents can fully express themselves without a language barrier.

I also bring a culturally responsive lens to our work, which matters when identity and family dynamics are shifting. Being a lifelong San Diegan, I’m honored to walk alongside teens and their families.

Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker #137980
Specialty Areas: Anxiety, trauma, family changes, school stress, relationship challenges

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Jeff Williams, LCSW

Good fit for teens working through trauma, opposition, and identity questions

I’ve been working with teens and families for over two decades, including early experience in San Diego and Virginia group homes supporting high-acuity adolescents.

I specialize in helping teens navigate depression, anxiety, peer relationships, identity questions, and family conflict. With advanced training in Structural Family Therapy, I don’t just focus on your teen; I look at the context of the whole family system. My style is warm but direct, helping families make real shifts that lead to more lasting change, not just short-term relief.

Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker # 28894; 300+ hours of advanced training in Structural Family Therapy
Specialty Areas: Depression, bipolar disorder, trauma, existential & identity concerns, substance use, family therapy

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Connor Seidler, LMFT

Good fit for teens struggling with self-esteem and social anxiety

I specialize in working with teens who are hard on themselves: constantly comparing, second-guessing, or feeling like they’re not enough. I help them soften that inner voice and reconnect with their strengths in a way that actually sticks, using approaches like Narrative Therapy and Internal Family Systems, plus practical tools from CBT and DBT.

I also have experience supporting teens in high-crisis situations, which helps me stay steady and grounded when things feel intense or overwhelming.

Credentials: Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist # 146060
Specialty Areas: Self-esteem & self-criticism, anxiety, depression, trauma, complex family relationships, high-crisis support, personality disorders, schizophrenia

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Breanne Dargon, LMFT

Good fit for teens with more complex mental health needs

I specialize in working with teens facing more complex mental health challenges, including bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and severe trauma. Before private practice, I spent 15 years in residential treatment, so I understand what it takes when therapy needs to go deeper than weekly sessions.

I often support teens stepping down from higher levels of care and help families make sense of what’s next. My approach is steady, systems-focused, and built for situations that feel overwhelming or stuck.

Credentials: Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist # 99204
Specialty Areas: Teen bipolar and personality disorders; severe trauma; post-residential support

Contact Breanne

What sets our practice apart from other San Diego teen providers

We work with the whole family. Real change for teens often involves what’s happening at home, so we support both individual growth and family dynamics.
Experienced with higher levels of care. We regularly help teens stepping down from residential or inpatient treatment, offering continuity that many outpatient practices don’t.
Flexible ways to meet. We offer in-person sessions in Chula Vista and Sorrento Valley, along with telehealth across California.
More than just talk therapy. We blend CBT, DBT, and trauma-informed care with creative and body-based approaches to meet teens where they are.
Culturally responsive and bilingual care. We offer services in English and Spanish, with a focus on making therapy feel accessible and relevant.
Options for more support. Our 2-day Family Intensive Outpatient Program gives families a way to do deeper work in a shorter amount of time.

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FAQs about teen therapy

How can therapy help my teen?

Therapy isn’t about “fixing” your teen. Our focus is on helping them feel understood and capable. With the right support, teens can learn how to express their emotions, manage stress, build self-esteem, and navigate life decisions and relationships more effectively. Over time, many teens start to step more confidently into themselves, leaving therapy more open, more connected, and more able to handle what life throws at them.

What does teen therapy actually look like?

We prioritize creating a strong therapeutic relationship with your teen since adolescents are more likely to open up when therapy feels natural, respectful, and grounded in trust. From there, sessions may include talk therapy at their level, tools for managing anxiety, depression, anger, or overwhelm, with support for identity, relationships, or school stress. We also support family sessions to help strengthen communication and bridge parent-child gaps. Everything moves at your teen’s pace, so they feel heard, supported, and able to grow into who they’re becoming.

What types of therapy do you offer?

We offer a range of services to support not just teens, but the people and relationships around them. This includes individual therapy for teens and young adults, family therapy to improve communication and connection, couples therapy for navigating relationship challenges, and group therapy where shared experiences can help people feel less alone. We’ll help find what makes the most sense for your situation.

What type of therapist should a teenager see?

This is less about finding the “perfect” type of therapy and more about finding a therapist your teen actually connects with. Look for someone who specializes in working with adolescents and knows how to meet them in a way that feels natural and respectful. Depending on your teen’s needs, that might include approaches like CBT, DBT, or more creative or relational work. The right fit is when your teen feels safe because that’s where real progress starts.

How do I get my teen to go to therapy if they don’t want to?

It’s really common for teens to push back at first. Try starting with curiosity, listening more than you try to fix, and framing therapy as a space that’s just for them. We’re used to working with reluctant teens and often take a lower-pressure approach, allowing them to identify areas that are specifically important in their lives and experience, including creative options like art therapy. You’re also welcome to meet with us first to figure out how to approach the conversation.

Is what my teen says in therapy confidential from me?

For the most part, yes. Confidentiality helps teens feel safe enough to be honest. The main exceptions are safety concerns, like risk of harm to themselves or others, or abuse. We talk through these boundaries clearly with both parents and teens at the start, and we look to involve you when it supports your teen’s well-being.

Is teen therapy covered by insurance?

In many cases, yes, most insurance plans do offer coverage for teen therapy. Pathways Family Therapy is an out-of-network provider, which means we don’t bill insurance directly. However, many PPO plans include out-of-network benefits. We provide a monthly superbill that you can submit to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement. Coverage can vary, so it’s a good idea to check with your provider about your specific benefits.