Therapy for Teens
San Diego
Anxiety levels in our teens continue to rise. They need support. We offer In-person therapy in
San Diego, CA & online therapy across California.
Teen therapy can help:
Grow self esteem
Break free from Anxiety & OCD
Learn coping skills
Teens are facing more stress and challenges than ever before
Teens today face so many unique and difficult stressors. From academic pressures- social media - friendships- school and more.
While parents play a vital role in supporting their teens, it’s common for teens to feel hesitant or embarrassed to discuss certain topics with them.
We can help be that safe space
Have you noticed your teen:
Worries often?
Has trouble relaxing?
Will avoid certain activities or situations due to fear or anxiety?
Has repetitive behaviors
Gets anxious in social situations
Isolates from friends and family ?
Struggles with intrusive thoughts?
Has difficulty with friends and family?
Has difficulty regulating emotions?
Struggles concentrating?
If any of these sound familiar, therapy could help teach your teen tools and skills to manage their anxiety and feel more confident.
What Is Teen Therapy?
Teen therapy focuses on helping teens learn strategies to manage their anxiety, OCD and regulate emotions. We use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which are evidenced based treatment for OCD and Anxiety, to help teens in a supported way to face their fears and better manage anxiety.
We provide therapy for:
Depression / Sadness
Phobias
Divorce
Difficulty with friends
Anxiety in social situations
Grief
Anger
Stress
Separation Anxiety
Body Dysmorphia
OCD
Panic attacks
Academic Stress
Trauma
Body Image Issues
Low Self Esteem
ADHD
Emetophobia
How Teen Therapy works:
We connect with your Teen
We take the time to get to know your teen and their struggles
We create a unique plan
We create a unique, individualized evidenced based plan tailored specifically for your teen
We support your growth
We help them build resilience and develop lifelong coping skills
Match With a San Diego Therapist
-
Stephanie Palmer
Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
-
Karina Corona Rubio
Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
-
Micha Bietz
Registered Associate Clinical Social Worker
-
Tabita Parnow
Registered Associate Clinical Social Worker
-
Spenser Gabin
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
-
Katherine Pica
Owner & Clinical Director LCSW
At Resilience Counseling, our team of teen therapists specialize in helping with anxiety, OCD, body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), and PTSD/trauma. We know how overwhelming it can feel when worry, intrusive thoughts, or past experiences start to take control of a teen’s life. That’s why we provide evidence-based care designed to create real, lasting change.
Our OCD therapists are trained in leading approaches such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and mindfulness-based strategies. If your teen feels hopeless or you’ve tried other approaches without success, therapy can be a lifeline. With the right support, change is possible and healing can begin.
Katherine Pica LCSW
Owner & Clinical Director
Psychotherapist
Why Choose Resilience Counseling?
At Resilience Counseling, we provide warm compassionate evidence-based treatment that has been proven to help! As a small boutique practice, our mission is to provide individualized, and intentional care tailored to meet your teens specific needs. Our goal is to create a safe and personalized experience where your teen and your family feel supported every step of the way.
Get Started With Resilience Counseling San Diego
We offer a free 15 minute consultation at Resilience Counseling. The easiest way to reach out is to click the book now button for a free 15 minute call to connect with a teen OCD therapist.
Your can also submit a message via the contact form or give us a call!
Send us a Message!
Still wondering if teen treatment is right for your child?
-
Watching your teen struggle with OCD can feel overwhelming. Intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors often leave teens feeling stuck, anxious, or ashamed.
At Resilience Counseling, we specialize in treating OCD using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the most effective therapy for OCD. Our OCD therapists are trained in ERP, CBT, EMDR, and mindfulness-based approaches to give your teen the tools they need to face fears, reduce rituals, and feel more in control.
We provide a warm, supportive space where teens feel understood and families feel guided. Together, we’ll help your teen break free from the cycle of OCD and move toward healing and confidence.
-
We’ve worked with many teens in OCD treatment, like yours who have felt discouraged after trying different treatments without seeing improvement. We understand how frustrating and exhausting this journey can be for your child and you. , With the right approach especially evidenced based treatment like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)—lasting change is possible. We are here to help your child and your family take meaningful steps toward managing OCD and regaining control.
-
Every teen is different, so there is no set timeline. Many teens begin to notice progress within 12 to 20 sessions when working with a therapist trained in ERP, the gold-standard treatment for OCD. Treatment may take longer depending on the severity of symptoms, how often sessions are scheduled, and whether other challenges like anxiety or trauma are present. At Resilience Counseling, we move at a pace that supports lasting change and gives your teen the tools they need to manage OCD with confidence.
We know how tough it can be when your teen is struggling with anxiety or OCD. It can be hard to know how to help them. That’s why we specialize in these areas, and use evidence-based methods to provide the most effective care. About 80% of the clients we work with are managing anxiety or OCD, so we’re very familiar with the unique struggles these issues bring. We have helped so many overcome their struggles and can help your teen learn tools and skills to better manage.
-
OCD is more common than many people realize. Research shows that about 1 in 100 children and teens are affected by OCD. Symptoms often begin in childhood or adolescence, with many teens experiencing intrusive thoughts, rituals, or compulsive behaviors that interfere with daily life.
Because OCD can look different from teen to teen, it is sometimes missed or misunderstood. Early treatment with a therapist trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and other evidence-based approaches can make a big difference in helping teens manage symptoms and regain confidence.
-
At Resilience Counseling, we know that treatment works best when your teen feels comfortable and supported. That’s why the first step is building trust and making sure your teen feels heard. We spend time connecting with them, learning about their experiences, and helping them buy in to the process. When teens understand the purpose of therapy and feel like part of the team, they are more motivated and confident in their progress.
The most effective treatment for teen OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). ERP is considered the gold standard because research consistently shows it helps reduce both obsessions and compulsions. In ERP, teens gradually face their fears in a safe and supportive way while learning to resist the urge to engage in rituals or avoidance. Over time, this helps break the cycle of OCD and reduces anxiety.
-
Absolutely. OCD doesn’t just affect the teen — it impacts the entire family. Parents often find themselves unsure how to respond to rituals, reassurance-seeking, or emotional outbursts, and siblings may also feel the effects.
At Resilience Counseling, we believe family involvement is a key part of successful treatment. We provide parents with tools and guidance so they can support their teen’s progress without unintentionally reinforcing OCD behaviors. We also help families improve communication, reduce stress at home, and feel more confident about how to respond when OCD shows up.
When families and therapists work together, teens make stronger and longer-lasting progress.
OCD Teen Therapy
San Diego, CA
Help your teen break free from the cycle of obsessions and compulsions with proven OCD treatment