Middle & High School Counseling
Helping Teens Find Their Footing and Build Confidence
Middle and high school come with a lot of pressure. Between homework, tests, sports, friendships, and trying to fit in, it can feel like there's always something to keep up with.
Maybe you're putting in the effort at school, but your grades aren't showing it. Staying focused, getting started on assignments, or keeping everything organized feels harder than it should. And when it seems like everyone else is keeping up, it's easy to get frustrated with yourself.
Outside the classroom, friendships can get complicated, emotions can feel overwhelming, and the pressure to fit in can leave you second-guessing yourself. Sometimes, it's hard to explain what's going on. You just know things haven't been feeling quite right.
Some Common Struggles Include...
Anxiety & Overthinking: Constant worrying about grades, friendships, fitting in, or what others think.
ADHD & Academic Stress: Difficulty focusing, staying organized, managing assignments, or keeping up in school.
Big Emotions & Mood Changes: Feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, sad, or struggling to express what's going on.
Confidence & Self-Esteem: Comparing yourself to others, fearing failure, or feeling like you're never good enough.
Friendships & Family Challenges: Navigating bullying, social anxiety, peer pressure, family conflict, or growing independence.
School Support & Motivation: Falling behind academically, losing motivation, or needing help navigating 504 plans and IEPs.
It's hard when you're trying your best but still feel like you're falling short. And for parents, it's just as hard watching your teen struggle without knowing how to help. When these challenges start affecting confidence, relationships, or everyday life, it's easy for everyone to feel stuck.
My Approach:
Helping Teens Feel Understood, Not Judged
Working as a high school and college admissions counselor has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. After earning my master's degree from Columbia University in School Counseling, I've helped hundreds of students navigate ADHD, anxiety, IEP’s, school stress, friendships, and the challenges of growing up.
But my passion for helping teens started long before that.
Growing up with ADHD, sitting still and staying focused weren't exactly my strong suits. I had enough energy to power a small city, and my anxiety made sure I overthought just about everything. Whether I was in class, playing soccer, or running track, I often focused more on my mistakes than my strengths.
Things started to change when I met a therapist who took the time to really understand me. Instead of focusing on what I was doing wrong, they helped me see things differently and realize I had more going for me than I thought. I started to understand that having ADHD didn't mean I needed to change who I was. I just needed to learn what worked for me. Having someone who believed in me, especially when I doubted myself, made a lasting difference. That experience inspired me to become a high school counselor and eventually a therapist.
Today, my approach is down-to-earth, collaborative, and built on genuine connection (with a little humor mixed in). I'm not here to lecture teens about missing assignments or tell them to focus harder. Trust me, I've heard that one before.
Instead, I help teens feel understood, recognize their strengths, and find their own ways to navigate challenges with greater confidence.
Simple Ideas
Finding little things that actually help, whether it's dealing with school stress, handling big emotions, or getting through a rough day.
Lasting Impact
Feeling more confident being yourself, bouncing back when things don't go your way, and realizing you're capable of more than you think.