Therapy for Teens & Pre-Teens
A safe space for your tween or teen to process big feelings, break isolation, regulate emotions and feel better understood and in control, one step at a time. Teen therapist is available at our Encinitas location or through Telehealth across California.
At Sunshine Inside Therapy in Encinitas, we help (pre-)teens feel confident, connected, and ready to handle life’s challenges.
Improve Daily
Functioning
We help (pre-)teens manage sleep, focus, and emotional ups and downs so they can thrive in everyday life.
Strengthen Social
Connections
From bullying to friendship struggles, we support (pre-)teens in building healthy, lasting relationships.
Support Emotional
Expression
We guide (pre-)teens in understanding and expressing big feelings like anger, sadness, or disconnection—without shame.
When everything feels too hard—for them and for you.
You’ve watched your teen struggle, and it breaks your heart. School feels overwhelming, friendships are more stressful than supportive, and their once-bright spirit seems dimmed by anxiety, self-doubt, or sadness. Maybe they’ve been complaining of headaches or stomachaches, or maybe they’ve just pulled away—from you, from friends, from everything they used to enjoy.
At Sunshine Inside Therapy in Encinitas, we support pre-teens and teens in finding hope, clarity, and confidence, so they can feel more like themselves again.
Therapy for Teens & Pre-Teens | Encinitas, CA
Is your teen experiencing any of these?
- Sleep problems, nightmares, and restlessness
- Feeling disconnected in school and with friends
- Sadness, isolation, and uncontrollable anger
- Unable to communicate their struggles
- Ineffective at regulating their emotions
- Social problems, bullying, or trouble maintaining friends
- Difficulty behaving in class or underachieving in school
Through therapy for teens, your child can learn to manage big emotions, express themselves more clearly, and feel more grounded, even when life around them is changing.
Therapy for Teens & Pre-Teens | Encinitas, CA
Therapy can help your teen with:
General & Social Anxiety
We help teens understand their anxiety, learn calming tools, increase somatic body awareness and build emotional regulation to feel more in control of their thoughts and emotions.
Depression
Through compassionate support, we help your teen move through sadness, isolation, and hopelessness toward light, connection, and motivation.
Bullying & Low Self-Esteem
Therapy gives your teen a safe space to rebuild confidence, process hurt, and learn how to set healthy boundaries.
OCD
We help teens manage obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors with practical, evidence-based strategies that reduce distress.
ADHD
With practical tools and emotional support, we help teens with ADHD build focus, manage frustration, and thrive in school and life.
Panic Attacks
We guide teens through calming techniques and body-based practices to reduce the intensity and fear of panic episodes.
Fear of Sleep or Phobias
We support teens in gently facing fears, reducing nighttime anxiety, and creating routines that feel safe and soothing.
Trauma
Using trauma-informed care, we help your teen process past experiences and release what their minds and bodies have been holding.
Anger Management
We teach your teen how to understand their anger, express it in healthy ways, and respond rather than react.
Adjustment to Divorce or
New Blended Families
We support teens through significant family changes, helping them navigate shifting roles, emotions, and relationships with more ease and clarity.
Whether it’s anxiety, trauma, or everyday stress, we create a space where your teen can feel safe enough to open up and start to heal.
Approaches We Use In Supporting Teens
In teen therapy, we help pre-teens and teens who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of themselves navigate stress, friendships, identity, and emotional ups and downs. We meet with them with compassion and provide insight and practical tools for real-life change.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps your teen recognize unhelpful thought patterns and develop healthier ways to think, feel, and respond to their emotions.
Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy teaches teens to tune into their bodies and release stress or trauma that may be held physically.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP is beneficial for OCD and anxiety, supporting teens in gradually facing fears and reducing compulsive behaviors.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
DBT helps teens develop emotional regulation, mindfulness, and communication skills to manage intense emotions and navigate relationships effectively.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
EFT supports teens in understanding and expressing their emotions while building deeper, more secure connections with others.
Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)
IFS helps your teen explore different “parts” of themselves (like the anxious part or angry part) with curiosity and compassion.
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing
EMDR is a powerful approach for helping teens safely process trauma, anxiety, or distressing memories without reliving them.
Creative & Expressive Techniques
(Inspired by Dr. Charlotte Reznick)
Through guided imagery, art, and imagination, teens can access their inner wisdom and express what words may not always capture.
Executive Functioning Skills & Coaching
We help teens improve organization, time management, focus, and follow-through, especially helpful for those with ADHD or academic stress.We help teens improve organization, time management, focus, and follow-through, especially helpful for those with ADHD or academic stress.
Parent Interaction Training & Support
We work with parents to improve communication, strengthen relationships, and support their teen’s growth and emotional well-being.
Our teen therapists at Sunshine Inside Therapy in Encinitas meet your teen where they are, helping them understand what they’re feeling and feel seen without judgment.
Meet Our Team
Match With a Teen Therapist in Encinitas, CA
Teen Therapy | Encinitas, CA
Our Approach To Therapy for Teens
We meet your teen where they are, creating a safe, judgment-free space where they can open up about anxiety, bullying, low self-esteem, or depression, feel truly understood, and begin building the clarity, confidence, and hope they need to feel like themselves again.
1. Start with the parents
We begin by meeting with parents (when appropriate) to understand the bigger picture and set shared goals for support.
2.Connect 1:1 with your teen
Your teen will meet individually with their therapist to build trust, explore emotions, and develop coping tools at their own pace, with family sessions included when helpful.
3. Keep communication flowing
We provide regular updates to parents through email or sessions, keeping you informed while honoring your teen’s privacy and therapeutic progress.
Will I be involved in my child or teen’s therapy?
Yes! Parents and caregivers play a vital role in the therapy process. While our sessions focus on your child, we offer regular check-ins and ongoing support to help you stay connected, understand their progress, and feel confident supporting their growth at home.
What methods do you use in therapy for teens?
At Sunshine Inside Therapy in Encinitas, we use a range of evidence-based and creative approaches to support your teen’s unique needs. These may include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help shift unhelpful thoughts and build healthier patterns
- Somatic therapy gently releases stress and trauma stored in the body
- Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) to support teens in facing fears and reducing anxiety-related behaviors
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to strengthen emotion regulation, mindfulness, and communication skills
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to deepen emotional understanding and build stronger relationships
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) to explore and heal different “parts” of the self with compassion
- Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) to process trauma in a safe, non-retraumatizing way
- Creative & Expressive Techniques inspired by Dr. Charlotte Reznick to help teens access their inner world through imagination and play
- Executive Functioning Coaching to support focus, organization, and follow-through, which is especially helpful for ADHD
- Parent Interaction Training & Support to strengthen communication and help you feel more confident supporting your child at home
We personalize therapy based on what your child or teen needs most, always with warmth, attunement, and respect for their pace.
Do you work with schools or help with IEP/504 plans?
Yes, when you give consent, we’re happy to collaborate with school teams, provide documentation, and help you navigate the IEP or 504 process with clarity and care. We can also connect your family with trusted educational specialists for assessments and additional support when needed.
Is what my child says in therapy confidential?
Yes, therapy is confidential and a safe space for your child. We only share information if there’s a safety concern, like if your child might harm themselves or others. Beyond that, we keep parents informed with care and respect, striking a balance between privacy and open, supportive communication.
How do I know if my tween or teen needs therapy?
If your child is facing emotional challenges, experiencing behavioral changes, struggling in school, or having trouble with friends—or if you feel that something isn’t quite right—therapy for teens can offer meaningful support. You don’t have to wait for things to feel “serious” to reach out for help.
How long will it take for my tween or teen to feel better?
Tweens and teens often start feeling better and notice changes after just a few sessions, but therapy typically continues for 3–6 months to help build lasting skills and achieve meaningful, long-term progress.
What is the age range you support? And is therapy in-person?
We work with tweens and teens, ages 10 to 17, to support them through this important time of growth, change, and self-discovery with care and understanding.
Our team supports your tween or teen at our Encinitas office, located at 700 2nd Street, Suite F, Encinitas, California 92024. We also offer Telehealth therapy for teens across California.
Therapy for Teens | Encinitas, CA
What Your Teen Can Expect From Therapy
While every teen’s journey is unique, with time, effort, and consistent support, therapy can lead to meaningful change. Your teen may begin to:
- Understand the mind-body connection, helping them feel calmer, more grounded, and in control.
- Feel more confident and empowered to manage big emotions like fear, anger, sadness, and stress.
- Sleep better, feel healthier, and rediscover joy through deeper friendships and stronger coping skills.
- Gain insight into learning or social differences and develop tools to strengthen executive functioning and self-advocacy.
- Navigate life’s toughest moments like anxiety, loneliness, or friendship struggles with resilience and support.
Sunshine Inside Therapy | Encinitas, CA
How To Get Started
Ready to take the next step or have questions? You can schedule a free 15-minute consultation below, send us a message through our contact form, or give us a call.
760-313-3650
hello@sunshineinsidetherapy.com
700 2nd Street Suite F & H Encinitas, California, 92024