Space For Learning Skills For Growth
Teen Therapy
Therapy for Teens Ages 13+ in Cupertino, CA, the San Francisco Bay Area, Sarasota, FL & Online
Does Your Teen Hold Themselves To Unrealistic Standards?
Is your teenager dealing with anxiety and burnout? Do they have a tendency to procrastinate and have bad sleep habits? Are they overwhelmed by all the pressure to succeed at such a young age? Do you worry that they’re working themselves too hard? Is the stress causing physical symptoms such as nausea, stomachaches, headaches, or chest pain?
Maybe they hold themselves to ridiculously high standards and suffer emotional meltdowns when they don’t reach them. Perhaps they’re wrestling with low self-esteem—they compare themselves to all the happy and beautiful people they see on social media and worry that they don’t measure up. They might be struggling to keep up with their peers in school, causing them to procrastinate or avoid homework altogether. Perhaps they want to appear to have it “all together,” but struggle with anxiety and self-doubt. These issues could all take a toll on their mental health and make it difficult to be their best at home, at school, and in relationships.
Your teen could benefit from mental health support for:
· Anxiety Disorders / Panic Attacks
· Perfectionistic tendencies and extremely high self-standards
· Negative thinking style (e.g., catastrophizing, black-or-white thinking, jumping to conclusions)
· Academic stress/burnout, procrastination, and work avoidance
· Sleep problems - difficulty falling or staying asleep
· Depression, sadness, anger, irritability
· Negative body image and unhealthy eating habits
· Low self-esteem and confidence
· Gender dysphoria and gender identity issues
· Coping with biculturalism and acculturative stress
As an experienced teen therapist and psychologist, Dr. Anna provides a confidential, non-judgmental space where teenagers feel genuinely heard — not lectured or judged.
Your Teen’s Struggles Could Be Stressful For You As A Parent
Parenting a teen can feel like rocket science. As solid as your advice is, your attempts to help are considered “nagging” and your teen thinks they know best. Despite your best efforts to support your hard-working and over-achieving teen, their anxiety and mood seem to worsen over time.
You might feel terrible watching them struggle, but you’re not sure how to help. Since they want independence, you’re afraid of being too invasive or overbearing. You want to show them care and attention, but you don’t want to be a helicopter parent. How can you find a happy medium?
As a therapist, Dr. Anna wants to help you strike a healthy balance in your parenting and empower you to support your teen as they navigate life’s stressors. She also wants to help your teenager manage their anxiety, increase their self-compassion, and feel more comfortable in their skin.
What Does Dr. Anna Help Teens With?
Dr. Anna provides teen therapy for a wide range of concerns, including:
Teen therapy for anxiety — including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, perfectionism, performance anxiety, and school-related stress. Learn more about anxiety therapy at Wildflower Psych.
Teen therapy for depression — helping teens identify and challenge negative thinking patterns, rebuild motivation, improve mood, and reconnect with a positive sense of self
Teen therapy for ADHD — supporting teens in building attention, impulse control, emotional regulation, and executive functioning skills. Learn more about ADHD testing if you're also seeking a formal diagnosis.
Teen therapy for autism — neuro-affirming therapy that honors each teen's unique strengths while building social, emotional, and communication skills. Learn more about autism testing.
Academic stress and burnout — helping high-achieving teens break free from perfectionism, rebuild their relationship with achievement, and find balance
Low self-esteem and negative body image — building self-compassion, confidence, and a healthier relationship with self
Gender identity and LGBTQ+ support — providing a safe, affirming space for teens exploring their identity
Life transitions — including college applications, moves, family changes, and the pressure of growing up fast
Chronic illness — supporting teens navigating the emotional impact of ongoing health challenges. Learn more about chronic illness therapy at Wildflower Psych.
Many Teens Nowadays Get Swept Up In Toxic Overachieving Culture
Most of the teens Dr. Anna works with struggle with anxiety, perfectionism, and self-esteem issues. In Cupertino, CA and the San Francisco Bay Area — where academic culture is especially intense — it's common for teens to overload their schedules with AP courses, strive for a 5.0 GPA, “lock in,” stay up late, and push themselves to the point of burnout. But this pattern isn't unique to the Bay Area. High-achieving teens in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch, FL, and throughout the country face the same pressures.
The problem with overachieving culture, wherever it shows up, is that it leads teens to develop the belief that they must get into a certain university to be successful. If they can't keep up with academic standards and stay at the top of the class, they start to lose confidence and wonder “What's the point?” This all-or-nothing thinking sets them up for disappointment, contributes to feelings of dread, increases their distress, and can take a serious toll on their mental health.
The Comparison Culture Of Social Media Only Adds To Teenage Mental Health Issues
To make matters worse, teens nowadays are surrounded by pressures from social media to have the best content, the most followers, and the trendiest fashion. Everyone else seems happier, better-looking, and more successful, making teens “compare and despair” (engaging in upward social comparison) and adding to their low self-esteem.
Therapy can help your teen see beyond overachieving culture and understand that it doesn’t have to be “Harvard (or another top university) or nothing.” This is an opportunity for them to learn to love and accept themselves as they are.
Therapy Is A Chance For Teens To Challenge Unrealistic Standards And Improve Their Self-Esteem
Your teen likely already has a lot on their plate. Therapy is not meant to become another source of pressure or another item on their to-do list. Instead, Dr. Anna helps teens slow down, reconnect with themselves, better understand patterns like procrastination and overwhelm, give themselves permission to rest, and create more space for balance and self-care. With Dr. Anna, they have a chance to openly and honestly discuss their fears and worries and the high expectations that surround them. They’ll learn to recognize unhelpful thoughts, challenge unrealistic standards, and improve their self-worth.
What To Expect In Teen Counseling Sessions
Teen therapy sessions at Wildflower Psych are conducted primarily via telehealth on a secure, HIPAA-compliant Zoom platform, making online teen therapy accessible wherever your family is located — in California, Florida, or across 40+ PSYPACT states. Hybrid in-person options are available on a limited basis in Cupertino, CA, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Sarasota, FL.
The free initial consult for adolescent therapy is usually held with the parent to go over availability and determine if Dr. Anna is a good fit for your teen. As an adolescent therapist, Dr. Anna takes time to understand each teen's unique concerns, goals, and personality before diving into treatment
During the intake session, you and your teen will typically meet together with Dr. Anna for the first half of the session to discuss the main concerns, identify goals, and outline a plan for counseling. Subsequent sessions will generally be held with your teen individually. While parents may receive occasional updates and support as part of the therapeutic process, teens are also provided with a private and trusted space to share openly. Information discussed in therapy remains confidential except in situations involving safety concerns or circumstances in which confidentiality cannot be maintained.
That said, parents are considered an important part of their teen’s growth and support system. When helpful, practical strategies and guidance can be provided to help strengthen communication, improve understanding, and foster a more connected relationship with your teen. Dr. Anna can also support parents in finding a healthier balance between structure, support, and connection. The goal is to help you find ways to support your teen when they’re struggling while still respecting their autonomy and independence.
Teen therapy sessions at Wildflower Psych are conducted primarily via telehealth on a secure, HIPAA-compliant Zoom platform, with hybrid in-person options available on a limited basis in Cupertino, CA, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Sarasota, FL.
Tailoring Your Teen’s Therapy Plan
Dr. Anna’s approach differs from teen to teen and depends on what their biggest struggles are. For teenage anxiety, Dr. Anna incorporates relaxation and mindfulness skills into therapy. Mindfulness can help your teen stay present in the moment and manage their stress more effectively.
CBT-informed strategies are integrated in a flexible and personalized way to support each client’s unique needs and goals. CBT is all about confronting negative thoughts and understanding how your thoughts influence your emotions and behavior. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a very similar approach that helps with distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal communication skills.
Dr. Anna also has specialized experience working with neurodivergent teens, including ADHDers, AuDHDers, and Autistic teens. Teen therapy is thoughtfully adapted to each teen's unique learning style, sensory needs, and cognitive profile — because effective therapy meets teens where they are, not where we expect them to be.
Wondering if ADHD or autism may be contributing to your teen's challenges? Dr. Anna offers comprehensive ADHD testing and autism testing for teens and their families seeking diagnostic clarity.
No matter how your teen feels at the moment, Dr. Anna can help them reduce their stress, increase their confidence, and get in touch with their authentic self. Additionally, she can support parents in improving their relationship with their teens and achieve more harmony in the home.
Get In Touch
FAQS
What You Might Be Wondering About Teen Therapy
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If your teen is hesitant about counseling, it might help them to know that therapy is private, confidential, and won't last forever. They are more than welcome to try a session or two and see if it feels helpful and like a good fit — there is no pressure to commit right away. At the same time, whether or not your teen comes to therapy is oftentimes the parent's decision. If your teen needed a medical procedure but didn't want to do it, you'd probably still encourage them to go through with it in the best interest of their health. Dr. Anna recommends bringing a similar approach to teen therapy.
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Yes — all teen therapy sessions at Wildflower Psych are conducted primarily via telehealth on a secure, HIPAA-compliant Zoom platform, making online teen therapy accessible wherever your family is located. Dr. Anna provides telehealth teen therapy to families throughout California, Florida, and 40+ states through PSYPACT authorization. For families who prefer to meet in person, hybrid appointments are available on a limited basis in Cupertino, CA, the San Francisco Bay Area and Sarasota, FL — making it easy to combine occasional in-person sessions with regular virtual check-ins.
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Parents are involved in sessions as needed. Dr. Anna's goal is to establish a strong rapport with your teen where they feel empowered to share things with you on their own terms. If there is important information that needs to be shared with parents, Dr. Anna will work with your teen on how to communicate that. When helpful, guidance is provided on how to talk to parents about issues that may be difficult or awkward to bring up — teenagers often benefit from role-playing and in-session practice to strengthen communication with the adults in their lives.
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Your teenager may be experiencing difficulties if you've noticed excessive worrying, nervousness, or physical symptoms such as unexplained stomachaches, headaches, or chest pains. Teens with anxiety or low mood often report issues with sleep, relationships, and academic performance. They may try to avoid places, people, and situations that make them uncomfortable or stressed. If any of these signs feel familiar, reaching out for a free consultation is a great first step.
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What your teenager gains from therapy largely depends on their needs and presenting concerns. Teenagers typically learn strategies to manage stress and anxiety, improve mood, strengthen social and communication skills, and enhance problem-solving abilities. Dr. Anna tailors each teen's therapy plan to their unique personality, learning style, and goals — so sessions feel relevant and engaging rather than generic.
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Yes — Dr. Anna has specialized experience providing teen therapy for neurodivergent adolescents, including those with ADHD and autism. For teens with ADHD, therapy focuses on building attention, impulse control, emotional regulation, and executive functioning skills through strategies tailored to how their brain works. For autistic teens, Dr. Anna provides neuro-affirming therapy that honors each teen's unique strengths while building social, emotional, and communication skills.
If you are also seeking a formal diagnosis, Dr. Anna offers comprehensive ADHD testing and Autism testing at Wildflower Psych.
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This is a common concern. Some parents worry that Dr. Anna will collude with their teen or criticize their parenting. Nothing could be further from the truth. Dr. Anna strives to be a neutral, unbiased presence in your teen’s life—she’s here to help them build on their strengths and learn new skills, not point fingers at different people in their life. What’s more, one of her main goals is to help parents improve their relationship with their teen and communicate more effectively with them.
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Participation in therapy is confidential and does not appear on school records or affect college admissions, applications, or future career opportunities.
Your teen’s therapy records are protected under HIPAA and maintained with a high level of privacy. Information about your teen’s care is only shared with third parties when parents provide written consent through a Release of Information (ROI) form. The only exception to confidentiality is in limited situations related to safety.
As a private-pay provider, no information is submitted to insurance companies when you choose to self-pay. This means there are no insurance claims, no diagnoses or treatment details shared for billing purposes, and no external reporting of your teen’s participation in therapy—offering an added layer of privacy and discretion.
If you choose to seek out-of-network reimbursement, a superbill can be provided to submit to your insurance company, and in that case, your insurance would determine what information is required for reimbursement according to their policies.
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Schedule a free 20-minute phone or Zoom consultation directly here, or reach out via the contact page and Dr. Anna will follow up within one business day.
Teen therapy sessions are available in person and via telehealth — so your family can access care from wherever you are.
Your Teen Doesn’t Have To Wrestle With Their Mental Health Alone
If you want your teen to get support for stress, anxiety, depression, or other common teen issues, Dr. Anna encourages them to pursue teen therapy. To contact Dr. Anna, you can use the contact form or call 408-883-9477.
As a teen therapist and psychologist serving families in Cupertino, the San Francisco Bay Area, Sarasota, and across 40+ states, Dr. Anna is here to support your teen as they navigate new phases of life.
Therapy can help your teen:
Improve mood, self-esteem, and self-compassion — learning to quiet their inner critic, challenge negative self-talk, and develop a kinder, more realistic relationship with themselves
Manage stress and anxiety — building practical tools to handle academic pressure, social stress, and the weight of high expectations while managing burnout
Develop healthier sleep habits — understanding the connection between anxiety, screen time, and sleep, and building routines that actually work for their lifestyle
Strengthen self-advocacy, assertiveness skills, and interpersonal effectiveness — learning to communicate their needs, set boundaries, and navigate friendships and family relationships with more confidence
Manage depression and low mood — rebuilding motivation and breaking free from the cycle of negative thinking that keeps them feeling stuck or hopeless
Thrive as a neurodivergent teen — tailored strategies that align with their neurotype, helping them build on their strengths and navigate daily challenges more effectively
Explore identity with confidence — whether navigating questions of gender, culture,simply figuring out who they are, therapy provides a safe, affirming space to explore without judgment
Build resilience for life beyond high school — developing the emotional toolkit to handle college transitions, new environments, and the inevitable challenges of growing up
Dr. Anna is here to support teens as they grow into new phases of life — with teen therapy available via telehealth and in person in the Cupertino, CA, San Francisco Bay Area, and Sarasota, FL.
FAQS
Common questions about teen therapy
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Parents are involved in sessions as needed. My goal is to establish a strong rapport with your teen where they make the decision to share things with you. If I feel there is important information that needs to be shared with parents, I’ll work with your teen on sharing the information with you.
When it is helpful, I provide guidance on how to talk to parents about issues that may be difficult or awkward to bring up. Teenagers often benefit from guidance, role-playing, and in-session practice to maintain effective communication.
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Your teenager may be experiencing difficulties if you’ve noticed excessive worrying, nervousness and/or physical symptoms such as medically unexplained stomach ache, panic, headache, or chest pains. Teens with anxiety or low mood often report issues with their sleep, relationships, and academic performance. They may try to avoid places, people, and situations that make them uncomfortable or stressed.
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What your teenager gains from therapy largely depends on their needs and presenting concerns. Teenagers typically learn strategies to manage stress/anxiety, improve mood, strengthen social & communication skills, and enhance problem-solving abilities.
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Reach out to schedule an initial visit or free 20-minute consultation by clicking here or the “Contact” button at the top of this page.
Feel free to contact me if you are not ready to schedule the free consultation but have additional questions.
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Dr. Anna Hung is a teen therapist and psychologist serving families in Cupertino, the San Francisco Bay Area, Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, and across 40+ states via telehealth.