Teen Dating Violence counseling for teens and families
I work with teens ages 14 and up who are dealing with pressure, fear, control, or harm in a relationship. I also make room for what it is like to be a parent or caregiver trying to help.
What people bring me
A teen may feel confused about whether a relationship is normal, unhealthy, or crossing a line. They may be hiding messages, arguments, pressure, or rules they did not choose. Sometimes they are scared to upset someone, scared to tell a parent, or scared they will not be believed. Families may be worried and not know how to talk about it without making things worse.
- I do not feel like myself around this person.
- I am nervous all the time when we are talking.
- I keep hiding things because I am scared of the reaction.
- I do not know if this is normal or not.
I take teens seriously and keep the conversation age-appropriate.
How I work with it
With teens, I keep the work direct, calm, and grounded in what is happening now. I pay attention to safety, pressure, fear, and the way a relationship can affect school, friends, home life, and self-trust. If a parent or caregiver is involved, the work may include helping the teen and family think through what support looks like without adding more fear. I keep the tone steady and appropriate for the teen’s age.
- Client-Centered Therapy
- This gives teens a place to speak honestly without being pushed. It can help when someone is not sure how to say what is happening or does not want to be judged.
What the first sessions look like
The first sessions focus on what is happening in the relationship and what support feels safest. I will not expect a teen to have everything figured out before we talk.
Questions people ask
What if my teen does not want to talk about it?
That can happen, and I will not force a rushed conversation. We can start with whatever they are willing to bring in that day.
Do you work with teens and parents on this?
Yes, when that is useful for the situation. I keep the teen’s comfort, safety, and age in mind as we decide what the conversation should include.
How do I know if this is teen dating violence or just drama?
That is often part of what people are trying to sort out. We can talk through what is happening in plain language and pay attention to the parts that feel scary or controlling.
Can a teen come in without having every detail ready?
Yes. A teen can start with one example, one concern, or even just the feeling that something is off.
About Trilogy Counseling
I work with women and teens age 14 and older for individual counseling. My areas of focus include anxiety, trauma, attachment, life transitions, self esteem, divorce recovery, domestic violence, teen dating violence, and relationship concerns.
Talk it through with Samantha
Tell us what has been going on and we will take it from there.