Teen Therapy in Sherman Oaks
Teen Therapy in Sherman Oaks with Julie Klamon, LMFT
The teenage years are demanding under the best circumstances. Add a competitive school, a phone that never stops, and a social world that can turn overnight, and a lot of teens end up carrying more than they let on. Parents often notice the door closing more often, the shorter answers, the worry that something is wrong but no clear way in. A good therapist can be the person your teen actually opens up to.
I have worked with adolescents for more than 20 years as a licensed marriage and family therapist. Teens can tell instantly when an adult is judging them or talking down to them, and they shut the door. I do not do that. I take what they are dealing with seriously, I keep their trust, and I help them build the tools to handle anxiety, low mood, conflict, and pressure without coming apart.
My office in Agoura Hills is about 30 to 35 minutes from Sherman Oaks via the 101 West. I also offer secure virtual sessions to anyone in California, which many teens find easy to fit around school and activities.
When a Teen Might Need Support
Moodiness and a desire for privacy are part of adolescence. What I watch for is whether a change is lasting and whether it is interfering with your teen's life. Reasons families reach out include:
- Ongoing sadness, anxiety, anger, or irritability
- Pulling away from family and friends
- A noticeable drop in grades or loss of interest in school
- Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy
- Perfectionism or relentless pressure to perform
- Risky behavior, substance use, or self-harm
- Difficulty coping with divorce, a loss, or a hard event
Teen Therapy for the Sherman Oaks Community
Teenagers in Sherman Oaks grow up in a high-pressure environment, and they feel it. The schools are competitive, the activity schedules are full, and there is a steady undercurrent of comparison, both academic and social. Students at schools like Notre Dame High School often juggle heavy course loads alongside sports, arts, and the expectation that they will get into a top college. Many of the teens I see have absorbed the message that their worth depends on their performance, and they are exhausted by it.
Social media sharpens all of it. Teens here are watching curated versions of everyone else's lives at all hours, measuring themselves against an impossible standard. Families dealing with divorce or entertainment-industry careers add another layer of instability. None of this means a teen is weak or that parents have failed. It means the pressure is real, and a private place to sort through it can make a genuine difference.
How I Approach Teen Therapy
With teenagers, trust is everything, and it has to be earned. I do not lecture and I do not treat them like a problem to be fixed. I listen, I take their world seriously, and I am honest with them, which is usually what they are missing from the adults around them. From there we work on managing anxiety and low mood, handling conflict at home and at school, and building a sense of identity that is not riding on the next grade or the next post. You can read more about my general approach on my teen therapy page.
I keep parents in the loop without breaking the trust that makes the work possible. That usually means periodic check-ins about progress and concrete suggestions for home, while protecting your teen's confidentiality. When the whole family is pulling in the same direction, teens make faster and steadier progress.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teen Therapy in Sherman Oaks
Some moodiness is part of being a teen. Therapy is worth considering when changes are persistent and start affecting daily life: ongoing sadness, anxiety, or anger, withdrawal from family and friends, a drop in grades, changes in sleep or appetite, or risky behavior. If your teen has been through a hard event or a major transition, therapy gives them support and tools to cope.
Your involvement matters, but teens also need a private space to be honest. I usually meet with parents periodically to talk about progress and how to support your teen at home, while protecting the confidentiality that makes the therapy work. We find the balance together based on your teen's age and what is going on.
It is one of the things I hear about most from Sherman Oaks families. The academic and social environment here is competitive, and teens at schools like Notre Dame High School often carry heavy course loads, packed activity schedules, and constant comparison with classmates. Many feel they are only as good as their last grade. Therapy helps them manage that pressure and build a steadier sense of who they are underneath it.
My Agoura Hills office is about 30 to 35 minutes from Sherman Oaks via the 101 West. I offer both in-person sessions and secure virtual sessions anywhere in California. A lot of teens are comfortable meeting by video, which can make therapy easier to fit around school and activities.
Who I Work With
Children (8+)
Teens
Adults
Seniors
In-Person and Virtual Teen Therapy Near Sherman Oaks
My office is in Agoura Hills, CA 91301, a short drive west of Sherman Oaks on the 101. I also work with families from the surrounding communities, including Encino, CA, Studio City, CA, Van Nuys, CA, and Woodland Hills, CA. Virtual therapy sessions are available to anyone located anywhere within the state of California.
If your teen has been struggling and you are not sure how to help, reaching out is a good first move. Schedule a complimentary phone consultation and we can talk through what your teen needs.