When Your Teen Does Not Want to Talk
You ask how the day went and get one word. You want to help, but more questions seem to close the conversation further. Your teen may want privacy, struggle to find words or not want the kind of help being offered.
This page cannot tell you why a particular teen is quiet. A consultation can help you discuss the concern and whether a separate therapeutic relationship may be appropriate.
Maybe this sounds familiar
01
Questions seem to make your teen withdraw.
02
You want help but do not know how to begin.
03
Your teen is wary of being discussed by adults.
04
You need clarity about privacy and involvement.
01 · Understand
Make room for different perspectives
Parents may be worried about changes they see while the teen feels watched or misunderstood. The therapist can discuss how to include both perspectives without making the teen responsible for reassuring everyone in a first conversation.
You can describe specific changes and your concerns without sending a detailed personal history through a website form. Let the practice explain the appropriate way to share clinical information and how the teen will be involved in the process.
02 · Practice
Clarify privacy and parent participation
A teen needs to know what therapy is for and how information will be handled. Parents also need a clear explanation of their role. These arrangements depend on the circumstances and applicable requirements, so they should be discussed directly with the clinician.
Shoreline lists Misty, Nicola, Aidé, Dina and Emily Chen for teen therapy. Ask about fit, consent, parent updates and how concerns are addressed. Do not promise a teen that everything will always remain secret or that every session will be reported back to a parent.
03 · Choose Your Next Step
A fit conversation for teen care
Misty Goldenberg, Nicola Loretto, Aidé Merito, Dina Abdelaal and Emily Chen are listed for teen therapy, ages 13 to 17. Aidé also offers sessions in Spanish. The concern, language preference and clinician availability all matter in matching.
Parents and teens can ask how participation, consent and privacy are handled before care begins. The ordinary website inquiry should contain basic contact information rather than a detailed personal history.
A therapist who fits you
These clinicians offer the related service. Availability and the right approach for your situation are part of the consultation.
Emily Chen
AMFT
EFT, attachment and inner child work
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Misty Goldenberg
AMFT
EMDR, perinatal and couples work
View profile
Nicola Loretto
MA, AMFT
Grief, identity and Gottman couples work
View profile
Dina Abdelaal
AMFT
Trauma and PTSD, in English and Spanish
View profile
Aidé Merito
AMFT, APCC
Teens, identity and trauma, in English and Spanish
View profileFees in brief
We are in network with Aetna (PPO and EPO plans only), Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Optum and Blue Shield of California. Not every clinician is in network with every plan.
Seeing someone out of network? We provide superbills you can submit for reimbursement.
Rates and insuranceLicensed therapist
$180
per telehealth session
For adults, couples, children or families
Associate therapist
$150
per telehealth session
For adults, couples, children or families
Questions before you begin
What if my teen does not want therapy?
Raise that in the consultation. Participation, consent and appropriate next steps need an individual discussion; an inquiry alone does not settle them.
How do I ask about this service?
Tell the practice the broad kind of support you are seeking, your language preference and whether you have a clinician in mind. Fit, availability and any fee or insurance arrangement need to be confirmed before an appointment.
A small first step
Start with a free 15 minute phone consultation to discuss provider fit, availability and the next step. Keep personal and health details out of an ordinary website inquiry. Ongoing sessions are offered by video within California.
Explore Teen TherapyKeep exploring
When School Stress Follows Your Teen Home
Homework is only part of what a teen may be carrying. Expectations, friendships and questions about the future can follow them home.
Teen Identity and Belonging
The teen years can bring questions about friendships, culture, values and where you fit.
Make room for a different conversation
Start with a free 15 minute phone consultation. We'll help you consider provider fit and next steps.