Radha Dalal

For teen clients, I typically begin the first session with parents/caregivers for the first 20 minutes to better understand concerns, goals, history, strengths, and family dynamics. Then I spend time with the teen to build rapport, understand their perspective, and meet them where they are emotionally and developmentally. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in helping teens feel seen, supported, and empowered while we identify practical coping tools and next steps.

Therapy is working when you begin noticing small but meaningful shifts. You may feel more aware of your patterns, more able to name your emotions, and more confident using coping tools outside of session. For teens, progress can also look like improved communication, fewer emotional blowups, more self-understanding, or feeling less alone. Growth is not always linear, so we will check in regularly about what feels helpful, what feels stuck, and how therapy can continue supporting your goals.

I want teens to feel safe, respected, and able to be honest in therapy. I also want parents to feel informed and involved. I explain confidentiality clearly at the start: what your teen shares is private, unless there is a safety concern, risk of harm, abuse, or another situation where I am legally required to involve a caregiver or take action. I may share general themes, progress, and ways parents can support at home, while still protecting the teen’s trust and privacy.

Sometimes. It depends on the teen, their goals, and what feels realistic or helpful between sessions. I do not want therapy “homework” to feel like another stressful assignment. I may offer small reflection prompts, journaling ideas, coping skills to practice, communication tools, or self-care check-ins. For teens, this might look like noticing emotions during the week, trying a grounding skill, or reflecting on one small win. The goal is to make therapy useful in real life, not overwhelming.