Nothing is worse than watching your child struggle. And yet, 1 in 10 children in the U.S. meet criteria for depression, anxiety, and other emotional issues.  Parents and caregivers do their best to help, but so many feel overwhelmed, confused, and stuck.

No matter what your child Is facing, I am here for you.

My name is Jennifer Torbjorn, LCSW. I’m not an actual therapist, but rather a figment of Mary’s imagination.  This page is created to show you what a Service page might look like for therapy for kids – isn’t that neat?  As a licensed therapist with more than five decades of experience in the field of mental health, I have helped thousands of kids and teens learn to overcome and thrive. 

If you or your child are interested and ready to sign up for therapy, contact me today.  To learn more about therapy for kids and teens and how I can help, read on!

Does my child need therapy?

As you know, mental health issues tend to look differently in kids and teens compared to adults. 

Family members sometimes notice obvious signs of distress, such as tearfulness, disobedience, or anger outbursts.  However, many of the difficulties kids struggle with are misread, misunderstood, or missed completely.  Some of the most common signs that something is wrong include:

Symptoms such as these often emerge in response to major life stressors, such as:

• Academic pressure
• Death of a loved one or pet
• Divorce, separation, or remarriage
• Moving to a new city or changing schools
• Bullying and other peer issues
• Dating and identity issues
• Experiencing abuse or neglect
• Witnessing violence or domestic abuse
• Stress related to national events (e.g., COVID-19)

If your child or teen is struggling, let me help.  Contact me today to get started.

How can therapy help?

Psychotherapy is the gold standard treatment for depression, anxiety, and other issues that children struggle with. 

Therapy for kids can help in three main ways:

First, your therapist can help you accurately assess the issue and find solutions.  The initial therapy meeting includes a psychological evaluation, which then allows the therapist to provide answers about what your child is experiencing. 

Second, therapy provides a safe, third-party space for your child to share and feel heard.  Many children feel uncomfortable talking about their struggles to family members (especially teens).  Therapy offers a chance for kids to express themselves openly as they learn to make sense of their thoughts and feelings. 

And third, therapy is all about creating change and promoting positive growth.  As your child meets for individual therapy, they will develop new perspectives, become more mindful and self-aware, and learn to use effective coping strategies to better deal with their issues. I will also provide recommendations and strategies to parents and families to use between therapy sessions.

I believe that your child can overcome whatever life has thrown their way.  No matter how difficult things might seem, no matter how long you have struggled, we can get them back on track.

What does therapy look like with Jennifer Torjborn?

Let’s work together!  Each session is completely confidential and specifically designed to meet your goals.  My approach to therapy is based on ACT and Interpersonal techniques. 

My therapy can help your child or teenager:

• Understand and share their thoughts and feelings
• Improve academic performance
• Deal with peer-related issues
• Cope with difficult emotions
• Break unhealthy habits
• Overcome loss of motivation
• Work through difficulties caused by divorce and separation
• Make progress towards their life goals

Your child deserves a chance to thrive, and you can help make that happen.  If you, your child, or your family are struggling, don’t wait.  Take that first step, and contact me today.