Therapy for teens and college students
Grades that feel like they decide your whole future. Friendships that play out in group chats at 1am. A first semester away that looks great online and feels awful in the dorm.
Several of our therapists work closely with teens and college students. We match you with the one who fits, whether that’s someone who gets school pressure, sports, social anxiety or a hard year at home.
What we hear from teens and parents
- "My grades are fine, but I’m exhausted all the time."
- "I freeze up in class and avoid anything social."
- "I was fine in high school. College is a different story."
- "We fight constantly at home and I don’t know how to talk to my kid."
- "My ADHD was manageable until the workload caught up with me."
Underneath there’s often anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, questions about identity, or ADHD that school structure used to cover.
How therapy helps
Sessions are active. Our therapists ask real questions, push back when it helps, and make sure you leave with something you can use before the next test or the next family dinner.
- CBT and DBT skills for anxiety, overwhelm and big emotions in the moment
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) to understand the parts of you pulling in different directions
- Practical help with school: procrastination, workload, test anxiety and asking for accommodations
- Family communication, when that’s part of what’s going on
For parents
Your teen stays at the center of the work, and you stay appropriately in the loop. In the first session, the therapist explains exactly what stays private and what would be shared with you, so everyone knows the ground rules. Teens are often skeptical at first. That’s normal, and our therapists are used to earning their trust.
Who we see
- Teens 13 and up, including high school students under academic pressure
- College students, whether they’re home for a break or away at school
- Young adults in the first years after school
Meet some of our teen and college therapists
Samantha Sundborg, LMSW
Works mostly with older teens and college students: the anxious overthinkers and the ones holding themselves to impossible standards. She uses Internal Family Systems with CBT and DBT skills. Online in New York and Florida.
Dr. Lauren Hoffman, PhD, LCSW, C-DBT
For teens whose emotions hit hard and fast. She’s DBT-certified, so the work is practical: skills for the moment a spiral starts, and for the conversations that keep blowing up at home. In person in Port Washington and online.
Lily Dumas, MA, MHC-LP
A former Division I athlete who works with student athletes and high achievers on perfectionism, anxiety and body image. Online in New York.
David Rachman, MS, LMSW
Sees teens and kids, in person in Midtown Manhattan and online. He’s direct, he listens closely, and for teens who connect with it he brings music into sessions.
Patsy Iannico, LMHC-D, LPC
Helps teens and young adults through big transitions and social anxiety, with DBT skills for the overwhelming moments. Online in New York, New Jersey and Florida.
In person in Manhattan or Port Washington, and online
David sees teens in person in Midtown Manhattan, and Lauren sees them in Port Washington. Online sessions fit around school, practice and a dorm schedule, and are available in New York, Florida and several other states, depending on the therapist. Clients need to be in one of those states during sessions.
Insurance and cost
We work with a range of insurance plans, sliding scale spots are available, and the whole practice is in network with Northwell Direct. Coverage depends on your plan and the therapist, so reach out and we’ll check your benefits and walk you through your options. See cost and insurance details.
Teen and college therapy FAQ
Will you tell me what my teen says in therapy?
Not the details. The therapist shares general progress and anything that affects safety, and explains how that works to you and your teen at the start.
Can my college student do therapy from their dorm?
Yes, as long as they’re in a state where their therapist is licensed, including New York and Florida. Video sessions work well around a class schedule.
What if my teen doesn’t want to go?
That’s common. A free 15-minute call is a low-pressure way for your teen to get a feel for it before committing.
How do you decide which therapist my teen sees?
We listen to what’s going on, where you live and what your teen responds to, then match them with the therapist who fits. If it’s not the right fit, we’ll switch.