Teen therapy in Bismarck, ND
A space that feels like theirs, for anxiety, identity, school pressure, and the feelings that are too big to say out loud at home.
What brings a teenager in
Sometimes a parent notices the change first. Grades slipping, a shut door, friendships that fell away, anger that comes out of nowhere, or a kid who used to talk and now does not. Sometimes the teenager asks to come themselves, which takes real courage.
Therapy works with teens when it is theirs. That means a clinician who does not talk down to them, who is clear about what stays private and what does not, and who is worth the trip. Parents stay involved at a level that fits the age and the situation.
What we help with
- Anxiety, panic, and constant worry
- Depression and low mood
- ADHD, focus, and school stress
- Trauma and difficult past experiences
- Self-esteem, identity, and body image
- Eating disorders
- Friendship and relationship conflict
- Emotional regulation and anger
- Family conflict at home
How we work with teens
We match the approach to the teenager. CBT gives practical, concrete tools for anxiety and depression. EMDR and ART help when something from the past is still driving the present, and neither requires talking through every detail out loud, which matters enormously at this age. TF-CBT is our structured trauma option for adolescents, with caregivers involved.
Internal Family Systems and parts work help teens understand the conflicting pulls inside them without feeling judged for any of it.
Who works with teens here
- Emma Pelach, LMSW focuses on teens and young adults, including identity, self-esteem, eating disorders, and the pressures young people face. EMDR-trained.
- Elizabeth Thein, LPCC works with adolescents ages 12 and up on anxiety, depression, trauma, and abuse recovery. Trained in EMDR and ART.
- Mariah Banse, LCSW brings specialized adolescent trauma training including TF-CBT and SPARCS.
- Tim Gienger, LCSW works with adolescents and families where conflict at home is part of the picture.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Will you tell my parents what I say?
Your therapist will explain exactly what stays private and what does not, in the first session, before you share anything. There are limits required by law around safety, and those get explained clearly rather than sprung on you later.
My teen refuses to go. What do I do?
Call us. That is a common starting point and there are ways to approach it. Forcing a first session rarely works, but the right framing often does.
What ages count as a teen here?
Most of our teen work covers roughly 12 to 18. Elizabeth sees ages 12 and up; Emma, Mariah, Tim, and Talia also work across the adolescent range.
Do you offer telehealth for teens?
Yes, anywhere in North Dakota. Some teens open up more easily from their own room, and some do better in person. Either works.
Ready when you are.
Taking the first step is often the hardest part. A short conversation, at no charge, is usually enough to know whether we are a fit. In person in Bismarck, or by telehealth anywhere in North Dakota.
Book a free 15-minute consultCall (701) 805-1939