Teen Counseling Tucson
Counseling for Teens in Tucson
Is your teen experiencing anxiety or depression? Are they being bullied or have you noticed changes in their eating, school, or social habits? Are they saying things about suicide or have you notice cutting or self-harm? Counseling for teens is sometimes a last ditch effort after trying everything that you, as their parent(s), know to do. Sometimes, there is so much tension between you and your teen that you know you they need someone else to talk to because they aren’t talking to you. Or maybe your teen has asked for counseling and you’re doing your homework because you want them to have a safe counseling experience with someone you can trust. Giving your teen the gift of therapy at their age can be preventative of future mental illness or can literally save their life. Joshua Tree has several teen counseling options.
“Health risks in adolescence are undergoing a major shift. Three decades ago, the biggest health threats to teenagers were binge drinking, drunken driving, teenage pregnancy, cigarettes and illicit drugs. Today, they are anxiety, depression, suicide, self-harm and other serious mental health disorders. From 2001 to 2019, the suicide rate for American youngsters from ages 10 to 19 jumped 40 percent, and emergency room visits for self-harm rose 88 percent. Managing a mental health crisis can be challenging for teenagers and their parents. It is often unchartered territory that needs to be navigated with the utmost sensitivity” (Richtel, 2022) >> Read the full article: How to Help Your Teen Struggling with Mental Illness
Teens can’t or don’t always tell you what’s wrong with their words. They often lack the insight, words to describe their experience, or courage to speak up about it. Since we can’t rely on them to use words to describe what’s wrong, you have to look to their behaviors to better understand.
Signs and Symptoms
Teens won’t always tell you what’s wrong. You may have to look for signs and symptoms. Have you noticed changes – increases, decreases, or the presence of something when it wasn’t there before?
- Sleep (trouble falling or staying asleep)
- Eating patterns (overeating, restricting,)
- Energy levels
- Mood
- Motivation
- Level of concentration/attention to detail
- Self-esteem
- Identity confusion
- Substance use
- Pornography use
- Lying
- Sadness
- Worry
- Anger
- Guilt
- Hopelessness
- Lack of interest in the future
- Preoccupation with death/suicide
- Self harm (cuts, burns, unexplained injury)
- Aches and pains (unexplained by a medical reason)
- Nausea (unexplained by a medical reason)
What's Going on With Your Teen?
- Are they struggling socially or seem more withdrawn?
- Do they have low self-esteem or struggle to feel like they fit in anywhere?
- Have they had one or more panic or anxiety attacks?
- Have you noticed self-harming behaviors or marks on their bodies?
- Have they expressed suicidal thoughts or/and seem preoccupied with death?
- Are they trying to cope with the effects of separated or divorced parents?
- Have they experienced a loss of a loved one, family member or friend?
- Do they seem withdrawn and you’ve noticed changes in things like appetite, sleep, routines, or mood?
- Do you notice that they are avoiding things more, like social situations, time with the family, or school obligations?
- Do you wonder if they are experiencing bullying?
- Are they struggling to adjust to a life change (move, new school, step-family)
When everything seems to be going against you, remember…the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.
What to Expect at Joshua Tree
At Joshua Tree, we know that being a teen is tough, and parenting teens is tough. If you’re the parent of a teen and you’re struggling, it may be best for you to start by getting some counseling or parent coaching. It’s natural to assume the issue you’re seeing is localized within your teen and you may assume that by getting them help they’ll get better. Teens can certainly learn tools, increase their emotional capacity and vocabulary, and wrestle with issues like identity and suicidal ideation. But they don’t have power and control over their circumstances or your parenting style or your triggers. We want to support both teens and their parents. For teens we provide a safe and professional environment to come and talk, express themselves, and explore issues and concerns. For parents we provide parent coaching, counseling for underlying issues, and encouragement in these rough years of parenting. We’ll take good care of your teen. We want you to take good care of yourselves to best support the outcome of teen counseling.
Issues addressed in Teen Counseling at Joshua Tree:
- Anxiety & Depression
- Coping Skills
- Emotional Regulation
- Fears/Phobias
- Suicidal Ideation
- Self Harming Behaviors
- Substance Use
- Hopelessness
- Trauma
- Communication Skills
- Increased Emotional Capacity
- Parent-Child Relationship Issues
- Romantic Relationship Breakups
- Identity confusion
- Life transitions
- Healthy boundaries
The counselors at Joshua Tree have afternoon, evening, or weekend options available with in person counseling for teens in Tucson and telehealth teen counseling in all of Arizona if this option works best for your teen.
If you are the parent of a teen or you’re a teen seeking help, we’re here for you to. You and your teen are worthy of receiving help, support, guidance, and healing. We have several counselors at Joshua Tree who focus on teen counseling in Tucson and telehealth teen counseling in Arizona with bilingual options. Read the bios below to find a good fit for you teen. You can also use the form below to submit an inquiry and our practice manager, Kelly, will help you find a match.
Vanessa Egurrola-Tigwell, BA
If you are looking for a passionate therapist who can help you, your child, or your teen gain confidence, build self-esteem, change faulty thinking patterns, improve impulse control, and expand their emotional capacity, Vanessa may be the right fit. You’ll find her approach to be vibrant and confident yet soft, accepting and nonjudgmental. Vanessa Egurrola-Tigwell is a child and teen therapist completing her internship for her masters in clinical mental health counseling. She helps children, teens, and young adults address a wide range of mental health symptoms. She is skilled in helping children and teens develop problem-solving skills, increase emotional capacity, and develop effective communication strategies.
NOTE: Vanessa is graduating in December 2024. She will apply for her associate license with the AZBBHE in January. Until licensed, Vanessa is unable to legally practice psychotherapy but she will return once the Board has granted her license, hopefully by mid to late February. When she returns, her office will be at the Oracle Location (6891 N Oracle Rd #155, Tucson, AZ 85704) Current clients are encouraged to read profiles for Kristen Kaveloh, LAC (children, teens, young adults), Lauren Marks, LAC (teens, young adults), and Josette Kehl, LCSW (children, teens, young adults) as these therapists can work with your child/teen in the interim.
Fee: $100/hr (once licensed as an LAC)
Availability: Accepting Waitlist Clients for 2025
Location: 7522 N La Cholla Blvd - In Person Only
Client Focus: Children 8-12, Teens 13+, Adults 18-22
Specialty Areas: Anxiety, Depression, Behavioral Issues, School Issues, Bullying, Low Self-Esteem, Coping Skills, Emotional Regulation/Skill Buidling
Degree: In Process - MS, Clinical Mental Health Counseling; BA, Psychology
Clinical Supervisors: Shari Kirschner, LCSW and Grand Canyon University
Other: Bilingual in Spanish and English.
Vanessa draws on a variety of counseling models and theories including Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment Theory, and Mindfulness. Vanessa is under the clinical supervision of Shari Kirschner, LCSW and Grand Canyon University as she completes her masters degree (Dec 2024).
Mary McGuire-Bruland, LMSW
If you are a woman or the parent of a teen who needs gentle and compassionate support with practical skills you can apply immediately, Mary may be the right therapist for you or your teen. Mary McGuire-Bruland is a licensed master social worker who walks alongside women and teens to improve mental health, learn new coping strategies, process emotions, and change negative thinking patterns. She is gifted in her ability to hold space for whatever it is you're struggling with, to validate an accept you, and to help you take steps forwards towards your goals. You’ll find her approach to be gentle, nurturing and accepting yet courageous and wise. She loves to provide Christian counseling when requested.
Fee: $100/hr
Accepting New Clients: Book Appointment
Location: 7522 N La Cholla Blvd In Person & Telehealth
Client Focus: Women 18+, Teens 13+
Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Identity Issues, Healthy Boundaries, Self-Esteem, Suicidal Ideation, New Relationship, Spiritual Wounding
License: LMSW-16851
Degree: Master of Social Work
Clinical Supervisors: Rachel Lohrman, LPC and Shari Kirschner, LCSW
Website: MaryBruland.com
Mary draws on on models and approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) - in training, Attachment Theory, Mindfulness, and Somatic Psychology. Christian counseling integration when requested.
Kristen Kaveloh, LAC
If you're an adult with perfectionistic tendencies or a harsh inner critic; the parent of a teen who is stressed, struggling to fit in, or being bullied; or the parent of a elementary or middle school kid who is hyperactive or tends to drive others crazy, Kristen may be the therapist for you. Kristen Kaveloh, LAC is a licensed counselor who works with adults, teen girls and children. She has a particular interest in helping those struggling with anxiety and perfectionistic tendencies, and teens and kids who are misunderstood or struggling to fit in or manage stress. Kristen creates a safe place to explore your thoughts and emotions and to build coping, communication and relational skills. You’ll find her approach to be relational first, nonjudgmental always. She meets clients where they are and helps them feel validated and understood, and to get unstuck from wherever they find themselves.
Do you want to explore your emotions, learn how to respond to people & situations in a regulated way, or figure out why you have the emotions & reactions you do? Do you need to cry, grieve, or to talk about your frustrations? Do you have a harsh inner critic or feel like you have to be perfect? Do you want to learn healthy boundaries & strengthen resilience? If you are the parent of a child or teen who is misunderstood, hyperactive, or just thinks or acts differently than their peers, I would love the opportunity to work with them (and you).
Fee: $100/hr
Accepting New Clients: Book Appointment
Location: 6891 N Oracle Rd #155 - In Person Only
Client Focus: Adults, Teens, Children
Specialty Areas: Perfectionism, Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Grief/Loss, Trauma, Identity Struggles, Coping Skills, Healthy Boundaries, Self-Esteem/Self-Hatred, Hyperactivity/ADHD, Peer Issues, Parent-Child Issues
License: LAC-22952
Degree: Master of Arts
Clinical Supervisor: Rachel Lohrman, LPC
Kristen draws on models and theories such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Trauma Model Therapy (TMT), Play Therapy, Attachment Theory, Mindfulness, and Somatic Psychology. Christian-based counseling is available upon request.
Lauren Marks, LAC
If you aren't sure that a therapist can actually accept you in a truly nonjudgmental and validating way, no matter what your struggle may be, Lauren may be the right therapist for you. You’ll find her approach to be relational, authentic and humble, yet confident and direct. Lauren Marks is a licensed associate counselor who works with a wide array of mental health and relationship issues from anxiety and depression to dissociative disorders, adapting her approach to meet each client's specific needs. . She has a special interest in helping couples navigate complex situations such as divorce, co-parenting, and blended families. Lauren seeks to help clients from all walks of life, faith backgrounds and current beliefs.
Fee: $110/hr Individuals; $125 Couples
Accepting New Clients: Book Appointment
Location: 6891 N Oracle Rd #155 - In Person Only
Client Focus: Teens 14+, Adults 18+ (Men, Women), Couples
Specialty Areas: Anxiety, Depression, Relationship Issues, Divorce, Coparenting, Codependency, Dissociation, Suicidality, Self-Harm, Identity Issues
License: LAC-22633
Degree: Master of Science, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Supervisor: Rachel Lohrman, LPC
Learn More: LaurenMarks.com
Lauren draws on models and theories such as Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Trauma Model Therapy (TMT), Ego State Therapy (EST), Neuroaffective Embodies Self-System Therapy (NEST), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Attachment Theory, Mindfulness, and Somatic Psychology, Christian-based counseling is available upon request.
Josette Kehl, LCSW
If you need a safe place and experienced counselor to help you process life or emotions, work towards relationship growth and healing, increase coping skills and emotional regulation, or address attachment-related wounds, Josette is likely going to be a good fit. Josette Kehl, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker who is experienced with a wide range of clients, from children with abuse histories and attachment trauma to couples wanting to improve their relationship, to adults trying to manage anxiety/depression, difficult family relationships, or grief/loss. Josette will help you feel truly seen, heard, and valued. You’ll find her approach to be relational, encouraging and direct. She specializes in working with attachment issues, relationship issues, trauma, loss, and parent-child issues.
Josette uses her knowledge or how bodies and brains work together to help clients build self-regulation/self-soothing skills, and manage mental health symptoms like anxiety and depression. She believes that it's important to address attachment wounds because these impact so many aspects our our lives and relationships. She works with couples to repair and rebuild and offers marriage counseling without bias or judgement. Josette skillfully weaves a Christian worldview and Biblical principles into counseling when specifically requested by clients. On a personal note, Josette enjoys spending time with her husband and their three adult children. Her favorite pastimes include traveling, reading and drinking tea, hiking, biking, and line dancing.
Fee: $130/hr
Accepting New Clients: Book Appointment
Location: 7522 N La Cholla Blvd; In Person & Telehealth
Client Focus: Adults 18+, Couples, Teens 13+, Children 8-12
Specialty Areas: Anxiety, Depression, Trauma/Abuse, Attachment Wounds, Relational Distress, Healthy Boundaries, Obsessive-Compulsive Tendencies, Difficult Family Relationships including parent/adult child, High Conflict Custody Situations, Foster Care/Adoption, Open Adoption, Infertility, Life Transitions
License: AZ LCSW-2451
Degree: Master of Social Work (MSW)
Other: Clinical Supervisor
Josette is a Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) Practitioner and Making Sense of Your Worth® (MSOYW®) Facilitator. She utilizes models such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), IATP, 5-Narrative Model (Gentry), and draws heavily from Attachment Theory, Polyvagal Theory (Porges), and Mindfulness and Somatic Psychology.