Therapy for Teens in Washington, DC

At Dandelion Counseling & Care, we welcome adolescents and teens from the Tenleytown community to visit us for therapy. We regularly work with teens from Woodrow Wilson High School in the heart of Tenleytown as well as young people from high schools in surrounding communities. Our staff includes therapists who are highly skilled and have experience working with young people of all ages. If your child is having a tough time at home, school, or in their social lives, therapy can help them to thrive now and in the future. You can learn more about therapy for teens in our Washington, DC practice on this page or by contacting our team.

a photo of a group of teens
a photo of two young girls

Why Would Teens Need to Visit a Therapist?

It’s easy for adults to forget just how difficult and stressful being a teenager can be. There’s a lot of pressure on adolescents and teens to make good grades, get into the right college, look a certain way, pick the right friends. For teens, life is transition. Everything seems to be changing, and while they have increasingly more say in these changes, with new freedoms come new responsibilities. It’s no surprise that many teens need a little extra support to work through challenges, including: 

  • Overcoming depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders
  • Dealing with bullying 
  • Managing stress and anger
  • Correcting behavioral problems 
  • Recovering from a substance use disorder
  • Increasing self-esteem 
  • Healing from trauma 
  • Working through grief or loss 
  • Developing social skills
  • Improving academic performance
  • Learning how to maintain healthy relationships 
  • Discussing sexuality and gender identity
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How Can Therapy Help?

Whatever reason your adolescent or teen decides to visit with one of our therapists, we can help them to develop strategies and tools to deal with issues that arise, including navigating difficult life transitions. Relationships are an important aspect of becoming thriving adults, so a therapist will help your child develop and maintain healthy, fulfilling relationships of all kinds. In addition to navigating current struggles, therapy also prepares teens for the future, so they can navigate whatever challenges life sends their way.

What Happens During Therapy for Teens?

When we work with teens who are struggling academically, within their families, or in their social lives, our therapists are here to offer a safe, non-judgmental environment where they can speak freely. During therapy sessions, our therapist help teens process difficult emotions, understand complicated situations, navigate tough life transitions, and develop healthy relationships. We partner with them to learn healthy coping strategies to overcome specific emotional concerns, improve their communication skills, and become healthy, thriving adults. We do protect the privacy of our young clients, but we also include parents and families in their therapy plans when it’s appropriate. 

Each of our therapists has a unique skill set that they use a variety of evidence-based therapy approaches catered to meeting the client’s unique needs. Some of the methods we frequently use include: 

  • Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Mindfulness-Based Therapy
a photo of a therapy session for anxiety
a photo of a group of college students

Individual Therapy for College and University Students

College life presents many challenges: fitting in with new friends, finding your independence, and navigating a new campus, new city, and new social scene! If you are a college student who also struggles with depression or anxiety, college life can be a very difficult adjustment. Our trained therapists are here to help you to overcome any challenges you face, to achieve success in your academic and social life. Located right next to an American University shuttle stop, we are conveniently located very close to the American University campus.

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Group Therapy & Support Groups

Sometimes, group therapy can be a complement to individual therapy, as you will connect with others who are on a similar journey of healing. Periodically, we offer groups to our clients. Two recent groups that Dandelion has run have been a group for women facing transitions in their lives, and a group for teen girls focusing on journaling and reflection. You can learn more about our current and upcoming groups by following the link below.

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Therapy for Anxiety

From imposter syndrome to panic attacks, disordered levels of anxiety can negatively impact your personal and professional life in a multitude of ways. Our Tenleytown therapy team members are here to offer support and guidance to help you better understand and manage the effects of anxiety, so you can lead a more satisfying life.

a photo of a therapy session

Therapy for Depression

Depression can rob you of your ability to enjoy and engage with every aspect of your life, and it can be difficult to find the strength to move forward. Talking to a therapist can help you find resilience and hope, which may be the first steps toward reclaiming and embracing your life with all of its joys and challenges.

Who Offers Therapy for Teens?

Our skilled clinicians put years of advanced training and experience to work helping clients achieve their therapy goals. The following therapists offer therapy for teens:

LGSW, LMSW

Beth Sworobuk

MSW, LGSW

Lennie Naughton

MA, MSW, LICSW, LCSW, LCSW-C

Erika Bugaj

MSW Student Intern

Meg Lazarow

Get Started Working with Us

If you’re interested in learning more about working with the Dandelion Counseling & Care team for therapy services in our Washington, DC practice or via online counseling sessions, we look forward to hearing from you. You can get in touch with us by:

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Therapy for Adults

If you’re here, you’ve taken the first step toward becoming the best and most fulfilled version of yourself, and the Dandelion Counseling & Care team is excited to be part of your therapy journey.

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Therapy for Children & Families

Whether you’re a parent who needs guidance or you’re looking for a therapist to support your struggling child, the Dandelion Counseling & Care team is here to help.

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Therapy for Parents

Let’s face it – being a parent is hard. Whether you have a baby on the way, you’re adopting or fostering, or you’re having trouble bonding with your child, you may want to consider working with a family therapist.

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Group Therapy & Support Groups

At Dandelion Counseling & Care, we are proud to offer group therapy and support groups in the Tenley town community. You can learn more about group therapy services on this page...

a photo of a woman meditating

Therapy for Anxiety

If you’re struggling with anxiety, we’re here to talk about it. At Dandelion Counseling & Care, we offer therapy for anxiety in our Tenleytown practice to help alleviate the effects of anxiety and develop skills...

a photo of a group of college students studying together

Therapy for College & University Students

One of the great things about working in the heart of Tenleytown is that Dandelion Counseling & Care is located near American University, The Washington College of Law, and...

a photo of a group of teens

Therapy for Teens

At Dandelion Counseling & Care, we welcome adolescents and teens from the Tenleytown community to visit us for therapy. We regularly work with teens from Woodrow Wilson High School in the heart...

a photo of a therapy session

Therapy for Depression

Depression may be the most common mood disorder impacting millions of people in the U.S. every year. If you’re one of the countless people trying to overcome the effects of depression, the good news is...

Nature-Informed Therapy

Nature-informed therapy combines the healing effects of nature with therapeutic practices. It encourages restoration, self-reflection, and supports the change-making process. Nature-informed therapy can take...

Lennie Naughton, MSW, LGSW

Lennie is a licensed graduate social worker in Washington D.C. who provides therapy for adults across the lifespan, and for adolescents...

Thomas Cody, MSW

Thomas Cody is an MSW Staff Therapist in Tenleytown, Washington, DC with a passion for cognitive behavioral therapy, psychoeducation, and mindfulness...

Natalie Ciaccio, MSW, LGSW

Natalie Ciaccio is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker in Tenleytown, Washington, DC with several years of experience working with children, youth and families...

Jacqueline Burnett, LMSW, LGSW

Jacqueline Burnett is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker in Tenleytown, Washington D.C. with several years of experience working with individuals across the lifespan—including adolescents, adults of all ages, and couples...

Erika Bugaj, MA, MSW, LICSW, PMH-C

Elizabeth is an AMFT staff therapist in Washington, D.C. who works with individuals, couples, and children.

Andrea Levine, MSW, LGSW

Andrea Levine is a licensed graduate social worker in Washington, DC, who works with adults across the lifespan, young adults, including college students, and adolescents...

Erika Bugaj, MA, MSW, LICSW LCSW, LCSW-C

Erika Bugaj is a licensed independent clinical social worker practicing in Tenleytown, Washington, DC. Erika has many years of experience as a social worker and therapist, as well as experience as a teacher...

Meg Lazarow

Meg Lazerow is a MSW Student Intern Therapist based in Tenleytown, Washington DC, with a deep interest in using attachment and family-oriented approaches to help clients of all ages and backgrounds reach their goals...

Mike Gallan

Mike Gallan is a MSW Student Intern therapist in Tenleytown, Washington, D.C. He aspires to empower individuals of all ages with empathy, cultural humility, and a client-centered approach...

Veronica O'Connell

Veronica is a MSW student intern therapist focused on helping her clients use evidence-based strategies to manage anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, life transitions, trauma, stress management, work/life balance, and career development...

Tamia Hill

Tamia Hill (she/her) is MSW student intern therapist based in Washington, D.C. In the progress of completing her master’s degree, Tamia has gained experience in working with teenagers, college aged students, and adults...

Matthew Hayes LGPC

Matthew Hayes is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) in Tenleytown, Washington, D.C. who has worked with child, adolescent, and young adult populations across group practice and community-based settings.

Audrey Wynn

Audrey Wynn is our Intake Coordinator and a recent graduate of George Washington University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychological Brain Sciences with a minor in Criminal Justice...

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