Kristen Antonio

Has anyone ever told you, "just wait, it'll get better?" Adults said that to me all the time when I was a teenager and struggling with something big. But I didn't need to be told "just wait." I needed help for the present moment. 

So whether you're going through some tough friendship or relationship stuff, tricky family dynamics, school challenges, or your mood has suddenly seemed to take a nose dive and you're trying to figure out what the deal is, let's talk. I promise I won't ever tell you to "wait it out." You will learn actionable strategies to improve your life right NOW. Because being a teenager can actually be really fun. And you deserve to experience that. 

For caregivers reading this: 

I am here to help guide your growing child think through their life choices and learn to make healthy decisions that will set them up for success in life.  

So you've made it through the school years and you're onto the next chapter. Some people in your life expect you to have it all together while others still treat you like you can't be trusted to make important decisions that effect your body, your career path, and  your relationships. There's tremendous pressure to figure out who you want to be and how you want to show up in the world, but not a lot of guidance in how to actually get there. Not to mention the constant transitions....changing living spaces, roommates, jobs, internships, moving back home, dating, hook-ups...the list goes on and on. 

My style of therapy will help you build connections between relationship dynamics, past/current coping strategies, and barriers to change so that you feel more empowered in the choices you are making and grounded through periods of transition.   

 Helping your child navigate the emotional ups and downs of adolescence and emerging adulthood is overwhelming and, at times, even terrifying. It can feel like you don’t even know the teenager sitting across from you at the dinner table. How do you set and maintain boundaries that feel respectful for everyone in the house? How do you make collaborative decisions when your teen is constantly pushing you away? Maybe yours is the house where there is lots of yelling and door slamming, or perhaps it's complete isolation and total silence. There's no "right" or "wrong" and certainly no "blame" or "shame." These are difficult dynamics that every caregiver faces, made only harder when compounded by a mental health crisis or trauma. Through parent coaching, my goal is to help you become clear on your parenting expectations so that you walk away with strategies to problem solve those sticky moments with your growing child.