Teen Therapy in Tarzana
Teen Therapy in Tarzana with Julie Klamon, LMFT
Being a teenager is hard, and it does not help that most adults have forgotten just how hard. Your teen is managing school, friendships, social media, and a brain that is still under construction, often while insisting that everything is fine. By the time a parent calls me, the door to their teen has usually closed a little. Teen therapy gives your adolescent a space to talk things through with someone who is not a parent, not a teacher, and not a friend. Just someone genuinely on their side.
Across more than 20 years as a licensed marriage and family therapist, I have worked with teens who were anxious, depressed, angry, withdrawn, slipping at school, fighting with their parents, or quietly falling apart while keeping up appearances. What they tend to have in common is needing someone who will listen without judgment and without an agenda. That is what I offer.
My office is at 28310 Roadside Dr. in Agoura Hills, about 25 minutes from Tarzana on the 101 West. Virtual sessions are available across California, and they often suit teens who feel more comfortable talking from their own room.
Teen Therapy for the Tarzana Community
Teens in Tarzana go to large LAUSD schools where it is easy to feel lost in the crowd or boxed into a reputation. Academic pressure is real, the social ladder is constant, and a lot of their lives now play out on phones. Many are comparing themselves not just to the kid down the street but to an endless feed of people who appear to have it all figured out. That comparison wears on self esteem in ways parents do not always see.
Add the ordinary stress of Valley life, busy parents, long days, and packed schedules, and it is no wonder so many teens feel anxious, low, or like no one really gets it. Therapy is a place where someone does get it, and where a teen can sort through who they are apart from grades, followers, and other people's expectations.
My Approach to Teen Therapy
Teenagers can spot a fake instantly. I do not use scripts, I do not talk down to them, and I do not pretend to have all the answers. What I do is show up consistently, ask honest questions, and help them figure out what they actually think and feel about whatever is weighing on them. Over time that builds self awareness, confidence, and the ability to handle hard moments without shutting down or blowing up. You can read more about my general approach on my teen therapy page.
Parents are part of the process, but the sessions belong to the teen. I will not repeat the details of what your teen tells me unless there is a safety concern. What I will do is check in with you, suggest ways to support your teen at home, and flag anything that needs your direct attention. That balance between your teen's privacy and your need to stay informed is something I take seriously.
Who I Work With
Teens Ages 11-18
Parents of Teens
Families
Frequently Asked Questions About Teen Therapy in Tarzana
Teen therapy addresses anxiety, depression, social pressure, identity questions, academic stress, family conflict, self image, grief, and the effects of trauma. For teens in Tarzana, social media and the pressure to measure up at large Valley schools come up often. Sessions are shaped around what your teen is actually dealing with.
Watch for changes that stick around: persistent sadness, anxiety, or anger, pulling away from family or friends, a drop in grades or sleep, or risky behavior. A major life change or a traumatic event is also a good reason to get support. If your gut says something is off, that is worth paying attention to.
Most teens resist the idea at first, and that is normal. It often helps to frame it as a chance to talk to someone who is not a parent or teacher, who is on their side and will not judge them, and to make clear they do not have to share anything they are not ready to. Plenty of teens who come in reluctant end up finding it genuinely useful once they see what it is actually like.
Confidentiality is what makes teens willing to be honest. I will not share the details of what your teen tells me unless there is a safety concern. I will keep you informed about the general direction of our work, give you strategies to use at home, and let you know if something needs your attention. That balance lets your teen open up while keeping you in the loop on what matters.
Yes. Virtual sessions work well for a lot of teens, especially those who feel more at ease talking from their own space. For Tarzana families, meeting by secure video also skips the drive on the 101, which makes it easier to fit therapy into a packed school-year schedule. I offer virtual sessions anywhere in California.
Yes. Parenting a teenager is its own challenge, and sometimes the most useful work happens with the parents. I help parents improve communication, set boundaries that hold, and stay connected to a teen who is pushing for independence, all while looking after your own wellbeing in the process.
In-Person and Virtual Teen Therapy Near Tarzana
My office in Agoura Hills, CA 91301 is a convenient drive from Tarzana for in-person teen therapy. I also see families from the surrounding Valley communities, including Encino, CA, Woodland Hills, CA, and Reseda, CA. Virtual sessions are available to teens located anywhere within the state of California.
If your teenager is going through a rough stretch and you are not sure how to help, a conversation is a good place to start. Schedule a complimentary phone consultation and we can talk about what is going on and whether therapy would be a good fit.