Teen Therapy in Boulder, CO
When Your Teen Is Struggling
"Fine." If that's the longest sentence you've heard from your teenager all week, you're not alone.
Adolescence brings rapid shifts in mood, identity, and independence, and the teen in front of you may seem very different from the child you knew a year ago. Some pulling away is a normal part of development. But when withdrawal, irritability, worry, or low mood start to affect school, friendships, sleep, or family life, it can signal that your teen is coping with something beyond typical growing pains. Watching your teen struggle is painful, and it isn't always clear when or how to step in. You don't have to navigate it alone.
At Foothills CBT, our psychologists understand this stage of life and can give your teen a steady place to work through what they're carrying. We bring expertise in adolescent development and evidence-based care, and we're here to help your teen feel less overwhelmed and more like themselves again.How Do I Know If My Teen Needs Therapy?
Most parents seek out teen therapy when a change in their adolescent no longer feels like a typical passing phase. You don't need a diagnosis or a crisis to take the first step. If your teen's daily life has changed in a way that concerns you, that is reason enough to reach out.
Some of the signs families notice:
Withdrawal from friends, family, or activities they used to enjoy
A drop in grades, or dread and avoidance around school
Sleep that has changed a lot, either too much or too little
Ongoing worry, panic, or fears that get in the way of normal life
Irritability or anger that feels bigger than the moment
Low mood, tearfulness, or loss of interest in most things
Intrusive thoughts or repetitive behaviors that are hard to shake
Harsh self-criticism or shrinking confidence
You know your teen better than anyone. If your gut says something is off, that instinct is worth listening to.
If your teen is talking about suicide or self-harm, or you're concerned for their immediate safety, please seek help right away by calling or texting 988, or calling Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-8255. In an emergency, call 911.
What We Help Teens With
Teens come to us for help with the ordinary weight of adolescence, as well as for diagnosable concerns, often both at once. Our psychologists treat a broad range of concerns, from anxiety and depression to OCD, trauma, and behavioral challenges.
Anxiety and worry: Social anxiety, panic, perfectionism, and the constant what-if thinking that wears a teen down.Low mood and depression: Sadness, withdrawal, irritability, and the loss of interest that can make school and friendships feel overwhelming.OCD and intrusive thoughts: Obsessions, compulsions, and reassurance-seeking, treated with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).Emotional intensity and interpersonal conflict: Intense feelings, difficulty regulating emotions, impulsive reactions, and tension at home or with friends that leaves everyone family drained.School and performance pressure: Academic stress, test and performance anxiety, and perfectionism driven by the fear of falling short.Self-esteem, friendships, and identity: Constant comparison, pressure from social media, shifting friendships, and the ongoing developmental work of figuring out who they are.Trauma and difficult life events: The lasting aftermath of a frightening or painful experience, including lingering fear, avoidance, and reminders that won't let go.Self-harm and suicidal thoughts: Intensive, skills-based support using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
How Teen Therapy Works at Foothills CBT
We use approaches with strong research behind them, matched to your teen, and collaborative rather than imposed on them. The work is active and practical, focused on skills your teen can use well beyond the session, not just conversation.
Four approaches come up most often:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps teens notice unhelpful patterns of thought and behavior and shift them.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) helps teens with OCD and anxiety gradually face what they fear without turning to rituals or avoidance, so the fear loses its hold.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) builds skills for managing intense emotions, tolerating distress, and navigating relationships.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps teens move toward what matters to them instead of avoiding hard feelings.
Therapy is collaborative from the first session. Your teen and their psychologist set goals together, then work toward them at a pace that respects where your teen is right now.
Trust matters at this age, so the details of individuals sessions stay private. We keep you oriented to the bigger picture, share guidance you can use at home, and reach out promptly if safety is ever a concern.
You won't be pushed to the side. Depending on your teen's age and goals, your involvement may include parent check-ins and coaching to help you support your teen at home.
Why Families Choose Foothills CBT for Their Teens
Parents choose us for expert care that still feels human. Every member of our clinical team holds a doctoral degree, brining years of advanced training and experience to your teen’s care. We use evidence-based treatments such as CBT, DBT, ACT, and ERP, all backed by rigorous research, to help teens with anxiety, depression, OCD, self-harm, emotional dysregulation, and more.
But credentials alone don't help a teenager open up. Warmth and genuine connection are at the center of how we work, because a teen needs to feel safe before any treatment approach can take hold. Our office is in Boulder, Colorado, and we offer telehealth teen therapy throughout the state. Our teen specialists include Dr. Sarah Tilzey Franklin, Dr. Caroline Mazzer, and Dr. Ashley Coburn. Meet Dr. Samantha Monk Grigsby and our full team of clinicians on our Meet the Team page.
What to Expect When You Start
The first step is smaller than it feels. Here's how the process usually goes.
Reach out. Send us a message through our contact page, send an email, or call us and share a little about what's going on with your teen.
Intake conversation. Our intake coordinator will talk with you about your teen's needs and matches them with the right psychologist.
First session. Your teen and their psychologist get to know each other, and conduct a full intake evaluation. Either during the first or second session, your teen and their therapist will determine what they want to work on and create a treatment plan.
A plan you can see. Together, we set clear goals, and your teen starts building skills that carry into daily life.
Help Your Teen Feel Like Themselves Again
You've watched your teen struggle and wished you knew how to help. The change starts when you reach out. Send us a message or call today, and we'll help you find the right psychologist for your teen. You don't have to keep carrying this worry alone.
Perhaps You Still Have Concerns About Teen Therapy? Frequently Asked Questions:
What if my teen doesn't want to go to therapy?
Reluctance is common and doesn't mean therapy won't help. Many teens feel nervous, embarrassed, or worried that therapy means something is wrong with them. It can help to present therapy as support rather than a consequence, to be honest about why you're concerned, and to give your teen some say in the process, such as reading psychologist bios together or agreeing to try a few sessions before deciding. Our psychologists are experienced in building trust with hesitant teens and meeting them where they are. If your teen isn't ready to come in, you can still reach out. Parent consultation can help you support your teen at home and make it easier for them to take the first step.
What ages do you work with?
At Foothills CBT, we work with children, teens, college students, and adults. Our teen services support adolescents ages 13 to 18, and our child therapists work with kids as young as 3. During intake, we'll match your teen with a psychologist who specializes in their age group and concerns.
Do you treat teen anxiety, depression, and OCD?
Yes. These are core areas of our expertise, along with panic, social anxiety, trauma, self-harm, intense emotions, impulsive behaviors, relationship functioning, and the everyday stressors of adolescence.
What types of therapy do you offer for teenagers?
At Foothills CBT, we use evidence-based approaches including CBT, DBT, ACT, and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD, chosen to fit your teen's needs. Each one is practical and skills-focused, and your teen's psychologist will explain the treatment plan in plain language so you both know what to expect.
Will you tell me what my teen says in session?
What your teen shares in session stays private, and that privacy is what makes real progress possible. We'll keep you informed about how therapy is going and the bigger picture, and we will reach out promptly, consistent with our policies, if safety is ever a concern.
How involved will I be as a parent?
That depends on your teen's age and goals. Involvement can range from occasional check-ins to regular coaching sessions, and your teen's provider will talk it through with you.
How is teen therapy different from therapy for adults?
Teen therapy meets adolescents where they are developmentally, with pacing, language, and goals suited to their age. When it would help your teen, we can involve parents through coaching, since support at home reinforces the skills they're learning.
How long does teen therapy take?
How long therapy lasts depends on what your teen is working on. Research trials of CBT and ERP often run about 12 to 18 sessions, and some teens make the progress they came for in that range. DBT typically takes longer because it builds a broad set of skills over time. Many teens also benefit from continued care beyond the initial course of treatment. As progress builds, we can reduce session frequency, and we offer booster sessions after therapy ends to help maintain gains. Your teen's psychologist will talk with you about progress and next steps along the way.
Do you offer virtual sessions for teens in Colorado?
Yes. We offer secure video sessions for teens anywhere in Colorado, so distance doesn't have to be a barrier to care.
Do you take insurance?
Foothills CBT is a private-pay practice and does not bill insurance directly. On request, we provide a superbill, a detailed receipt you can submit to your insurance company for out-of-network reimbursement, if your policy allows for this. We recommend calling your insurer to ask about out-of-network outpatient mental health benefits before starting. Many families also use HSA or FSA funds for therapy.
How do we get started?
Call or send us a message through our contact page. Our intake coordinator will ask a few questions about your teen, answer yours, and match your teen with the psychologist best suited to their needs. Most families can schedule a first session soon after that conversation.
We Want to Help You Help Your Teen Flourish
Our teen psychologists at Foothills CBT are here to offer you and your teen the skills, insight, and resources needed to flourish and succeed. Please call 720-432-7061 or email us to schedule an appointment or set up your free 15-minute consultation to learn more about our approach to support for teenagers.
Foothills CBT offers in-person and virtual teen therapy services for Boulder and the greater area of Colorado.
