Adolescent Psychotherapy
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About ADOLESCENT PSYCHOTHERAPY
Teen Therapy in Santa Monica & Los Angeles
The teenage years bring pressures that are genuinely intense — academic stress, social complexity, identity questions, family changes, and the relentless weight of always being online. Teens often feel misunderstood by the adults around them, and the emotional challenges they face can be significant.
Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, has been providing compassionate adolescent psychotherapy in Santa Monica and the greater Los Angeles area for over 35 years. She knows how to build genuine rapport with teenagers — creating a confidential, non-judgmental space where teens can be honest, explore their feelings, and develop the resilience they need.
Sessions are available in person in Santa Monica or via Zoom. The first session is free if your teen decides not to continue — because finding the right fit matters.
Compassionate Care for Teens.
Personalized Solutions
Every teenager is different. Dr. Hackman tailors her approach to each teen’s personality, communication style, and needs — never using a one-size-fits-all method.
Proven Expertise
With a PhD in Clinical Child Psychology, board certification since 1992, and decades of specialized adolescent work, Dr. Hackman brings deep expertise to teen therapy — alongside the human warmth that makes teenagers feel safe enough to open up.
OUR COMMITMENT
Your Teen's Wellbeing Is My Priority.
Adolescence is a critical developmental window — and what happens during these years shapes adult life in profound ways. Early intervention for anxiety, depression, social difficulties, and other challenges can make an enormous difference in a teenager’s trajectory.
Dr. Hackman works closely with parents throughout the process, although as the age of teenager increases and their independence gradually glows, the number of parent sessions decreases except for crisis. While maintaining the confidential therapeutic relationship with the teen that is essential to the work.
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Years of Teen Therapy Experience
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Serving Santa Monica Continuously
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Confidential — Always
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First Session Free If You Don't Return
Key Points
What Adolescent Psychotherapy Can Help With
Empowering Resilience
Therapy gives teenagers the tools to navigate the pressures of adolescence with greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and genuine resilience — skills that serve them for life.
A Healing Space
Dr. Hackman creates a space that teenagers actually want to come to — where they feel respected, heard, and free to be honest without fear of judgment from parents, teachers, or peers.
Transformative Support
From anxiety and depression to peer relationships, school stress, identity, and the consequences of family change — Dr. Hackman provides expert, personalized support across the full range of adolescent challenges.
AREAS COVERED
Adolescent Therapy Areas
- Anxiety and Depression
- Mood Changes
- Peer Relationships and Social Anxiety / Shyness
- Academic Difficulties and School Stress
- Grief
- Romantic Relationship
- Developmental Lags
- Consequences of Divorce or Death of a Parent / Family Member
- Illness — Self, Parent, or Sibling
- Compliance With Parental Authority
- Identity and Self-Esteem
FAQ
Help for Common Mental Health Concerns.
This is very common. Dr. Hackman suggests starting with a low-pressure consultation — framing it as a conversation rather than 'therapy.' The free first session policy means there is no pressure to commit. Many resistant teens become willing participants once they experience a session where they feel genuinely heard.
Confidentiality is essential to effective teen therapy — teenagers will not open up if they believe what they say will be reported to parents. Dr. Hackman maintains teen confidentiality while also providing regular parent consultations to discuss progress, address concerns, helps you understand your teen differently and provides variety of solutions for dealing with your teenager. She will always inform parents of safety concerns.
Signs to watch for include persistent low mood, significant anxiety, withdrawal from family and friends, declining grades, changes in sleep or appetite, and behaviors that seem out of character. When in doubt, a consultation costs nothing and provides clarity.