A space to feel heard
Teen Therapy, Ages 12–17
Being a teenager can mean carrying a lot while still figuring out how to talk about it. School expectations, changing friendships, family stress, and uncertainty about the future can build up. At Growth Counseling in El Paso, our therapists support teens ages 12–17, offering a supportive place to explore what feels difficult and practice ways to respond. Teens and parents can begin with a free 15-minute consultation to ask questions and talk about fit.
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Ages 12–17 · Support for teens and families
Questions about getting started ↓You do not have to have everything figured out
You might know exactly what is bothering you, or you might only know that things feel different lately. Maybe getting through school takes more energy than it used to. Maybe an argument with a friend stays in your mind all day, or everyone keeps asking what is wrong when you cannot find the words. You do not need a perfect explanation before having a conversation about support.
Therapy offers room to slow down and talk about your experience without turning every conversation into advice. It can also be a place to notice what helps, what makes things harder, and what you want to handle differently. Your interests, relationships, identity, and goals belong in that conversation. The starting point is understanding you as a person.
Support for anxiety, school pressure, and change
Our therapists support teens with concerns that can show up in everyday teen life, including anxiety, school pressures, friendship and family challenges, confidence, emotional regulation, grief, and life transitions. Some teens want help with a particular situation. Others need space to untangle several things that have become connected. During an initial conversation, you can describe what has been happening and ask whether a therapist’s approach fits your needs.
A move, a loss, a shift in family relationships, or a new stage at school can change what feels familiar. Even a change someone else calls exciting can come with complicated feelings. Therapy can make room for those feelings while exploring practical steps that matter to you, such as preparing for a difficult conversation, noticing patterns in worry, or expressing a need more clearly.
There is no requirement to compare your situation with anyone else’s. If something is taking up space in your life, it is reasonable to ask for support. The consultation is a chance to talk about the concern without committing to a full course of therapy.
Finding the right therapist for your teen
Teen therapy is a particular focus of Emily Diana Marquez, a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate supervised by Brenda Rueda, LPC-S. She sees teens ages 12–17 and helps clients explore emotions, relationships, and changes in their lives with curiosity and care. Other therapists at Growth Counseling also work with teens. Finding someone you can talk with matters, so the consultation gives both teens and parents an opportunity to ask about therapist fit, experience, and style.
Her approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, play therapy, and somatic approaches. You can ask what those approaches might look like for your particular concerns. The conversation should help you understand how sessions could connect to everyday life, whether that means exploring links between thoughts and actions, discussing ways to manage strong emotions, or paying attention to physical signs of stress.
You do not have to choose a therapy approach on your own. Bring questions about what feels comfortable, what has been helpful before, and what you would prefer to talk through first. Those details help make the discussion about fit more useful.
For parents and caregivers: support without taking over
It can be difficult to know how to help when your teen pulls away, seems overwhelmed, or tells you that you do not understand. Wanting support for them does not mean you have failed as a parent. A helpful first step is describing what you have noticed with care and asking what your teen would want from a conversation with a therapist.
Before sessions begin, ask your teen’s therapist how they approach parent or caregiver involvement. Useful questions include how goals are discussed, what communication outside sessions looks like, and how you can support your teen between appointments. The therapist will explain confidentiality and its safety limits before starting. Discuss those details together rather than assuming that every conversation will be shared or that every topic will stay private.
Practical questions matter too. Ask about any consent requirements, who attends the first appointment, and how scheduling is handled. Understanding those expectations can help both you and your teen arrive with a clearer picture of the process.
Take the next step at your own pace
Growth Counseling offers care in El Paso and Texas telehealth services. For a teen appointment, ask which format is appropriate and available for your situation. A consultation can also cover the setting for sessions, scheduling questions, and anything your family needs to understand before choosing how to proceed.
Start with a free 15-minute consultation. You can briefly share what brings you here, discuss which therapist fits your teen’s age and concerns, and ask about current appointment options. Review the Fees & Insurance page and discuss fees before beginning. Your teen can bring questions too, including what happens if talking feels awkward or they do not know where to start.
Reaching out does not require certainty that therapy is the answer. It gives you a chance to learn more, hear how support might work, and decide whether the next step feels right.
Care in El Paso. A clearer place to start.
11680 Montana, Suite 215B, El Paso, TX 79936
Ask about appointment options and therapist fit for your teen.
Fees and your first conversation
Individual sessions with an LPC Associate are $75. Individual sessions with Brenda are $150. Sliding scale is available. Ask about the fee and coverage for your therapist before scheduling.
View fees & insurance →A free 15-minute consultation gives you room to ask about fit, appointment options, and the next step.
Call (915) 263-1070 →Frequently asked questions
What ages is teen therapy for?
This service focuses on teens ages 12–17. Several therapists at Growth Counseling work with teens, with different areas of focus. During the consultation, discuss your teen’s age and concerns so we can help you consider therapist fit. For other ages, contact the practice to ask about appropriate options.
Can we ask about therapy before booking a session?
Yes. Growth Counseling offers a free 15-minute consultation. Use that time to share your main questions, ask about therapist fit and approaches, and discuss current appointment options. You can also clarify fees and practical arrangements before deciding on a session.
Will parents be involved in teen therapy?
Discuss this directly with your teen’s therapist before beginning. Ask how they involve parents or caregivers, how goals are communicated, and what support at home might look like. The arrangements should be explained so everyone understands their role.
How does privacy work for a teen in therapy?
Your therapist will explain confidentiality and its safety limits before therapy begins. Teens and parents should ask what information may be shared and under what circumstances. Bring privacy questions to the consultation so expectations can be discussed clearly.
Does my teen need to know what to say?
No prepared speech is needed. A teen can start with what has felt difficult, something they want to understand, or a question about therapy itself. They can also tell their therapist that finding words feels hard.
Are teen appointments in person or online?
Growth Counseling offers El Paso care and Texas telehealth services. Ask which appointment format is appropriate and currently available for your teen. Online suitability and scheduling should be confirmed for your family rather than assumed.
START WITH A CONVERSATION