Adolescent Services at CDCW
Supporting Teens Ages 12–18 Years
At CDCW, we provide specialized therapeutic and assessment services designed to meet the complex and evolving needs of adolescents. Our clinicians are highly trained in adolescent development and are experienced in supporting teens and their families through a wide range of emotional, behavioral, social, and academic challenges.
Initial Intake & Assessment
The first step in working with your adolescent at CDCW is a comprehensive intake assessment. This initial session focuses on gaining a thorough understanding of your concerns, collecting background and developmental history, and exploring your teen’s emotional, behavioral, and cognitive functioning.
During the session, your clinician will ask detailed questions and may use standardized tools to help contextualize your teen’s symptoms and behaviors relative to age-based norms. This process assists in identifying the nature and scope of your teen’s and/or family’s concerns and helps shape an initial plan for treatment.
Given the complexity of adolescent development and diagnosis, it is often necessary for the assessment process to extend beyond a single session. With your written consent, your clinician may also collaborate with referring providers such as physicians, psychiatrists, or school personnel to ensure a coordinated and informed approach. In some cases, a formal psychological or neuropsychological evaluation may be recommended for further diagnostic clarity.
Individual Therapy for Adolescents
Individual therapy is a core component of adolescent treatment. One-on-one sessions provide a confidential and supportive space for teens to explore their thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and interpersonal challenges. Therapy can help adolescents develop healthier coping mechanisms, strengthen emotional regulation, and increase self-awareness and confidence.
Our clinicians tailor their approach based on the developmental level, needs, and preferences of each teen. Creative therapeutic modalities—such as art, music, journaling, or narrative work—are often used to engage teens in a way that feels authentic and non-threatening. For younger or early adolescents, treatment may include joint sessions with caregivers to enhance support and communication within the family.
We encourage open dialogue between caregivers and clinicians, and invite parents to ask questions or share concerns throughout the therapeutic process.
Family Therapy
Family dynamics play a critical role in adolescent development and well-being. For this reason, family therapy is often recommended to enhance communication, resolve conflict, and foster healthier interactions. These sessions may include parents, siblings, or other key family members, depending on the issues being addressed.
In many cases, adolescents benefit from learning how to express their needs and emotions more effectively at home. Similarly, parents gain tools to support their teen with empathy, structure, and consistency. Family therapy can be an essential complement to individual therapy and often accelerates overall progress.
Group Therapy
Adolescents spend much of their time in peer environments, and group therapy offers a developmentally appropriate opportunity to explore social challenges in a safe, therapeutic setting. Whether a teen is struggling with peer relationships, social anxiety, low self-esteem, or emotional regulation, group therapy can provide powerful peer feedback, skill-building, and support.
CDCW offers a variety of adolescent therapy groups targeting different areas of concern. Groups typically run in 8-week cycles, and new members are welcomed regularly. Please visit our [Group Therapy page] or contact our office to learn more about current offerings.
Psychological & Neuropsychological Evaluations
Accurately assessing and diagnosing mental health conditions in adolescents can be uniquely challenging. Teens may not yet have the insight or vocabulary to articulate their emotional experiences, and symptoms may manifest in ways that are easily misunderstood. For instance, depression in adolescents often presents as irritability or withdrawal rather than overt sadness. Similarly, attention issues, mood disorders, anxiety, and behavioral concerns may overlap, making differential diagnosis complex.
CDCW offers comprehensive psychological and neuropsychological evaluations to clarify diagnoses, support treatment planning, and inform academic or medical decision-making. Our evaluations are developmentally sensitive and grounded in current clinical best practices. Assessments may include interviews, behavioral observations, standardized testing, and collateral input from caregivers, teachers, or other providers (with consent).
Formal evaluations can provide valuable insight into a range of concerns, including:
- Academic Performance and Learning Difficulties
- Adaptive Functioning
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
- Anxiety Disorders
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder and Mood Dysregulation
- Cognitive and Executive Functioning
- Depression
- Developmental Delays or Disorders
- Emotional Dysregulation and Behavioral Challenges
Evaluations are often recommended by physicians (e.g., pediatricians, psychiatrists, neurologists), educators, or mental health professionals. However, families are also welcome to request an evaluation independently. If you believe a comprehensive assessment may benefit your teen, please contact our office to speak with one of our clinical psychologists or assessment specialists.
