What does therapy look like?

Therapy is rarely a teenage boy’s first choice, and that’s understandable. Most young men don’t feel particularly excited to talk about their feelings with a stranger. Often they show up because something isn’t working: anger, anxiety, family change, feeling stuck, or spending more time checked out than engaged. I work primarily with adolescent boys, young men, and emerging adults in San Francisco, meeting each person where they’re at and taking things at a pace that actually fits them.

My approach is relational and depth-oriented, grounded in genuine curiosity and respect for the client’s inner world. Therapy offers a dedicated space that most boys and young men don’t have elsewhere: a place to slow down, feel what’s actually happening, and make sense of their experience without pressure or judgment. Trust, emotional awareness, and self-understanding begin to take shape in this container.

Over time, this work supports a wider emotional range, a stronger sense of self, and greater steadiness in relationships... especially during periods of stress, loss, or transition.

Working with Teen Boys

Being a teenager today can be intense. Academic pressure, evolving social and family dynamics, and an always-on digital world all contribute. I work with teen boys who may be dealing with anxiety, anger, sadness, withdrawal, low motivation, or a sense of disconnection. Therapy offers a place to build emotional awareness, improve communication, and develop steadier ways of handling stress without forcing vulnerability before it’s ready.

Young Men & Emerging Adults

College and early adulthood can look “fine” from the outside while feeling precarious or uncertain on the inside. I work with young men navigating identity, relationships, motivation, grief, family change, and major life decisions. Our work focuses on self-engagement, exploration, and building the internal structure needed to handle pressure without shutting down or acting out.

Children of Divorce (Adolescent & Adult)

Divorce can leave lasting ripples. Loyalty binds, anger, grief, or a sense of having to grow up too quickly. I help clients make sense of these experiences, understand how they’ve shaped current patterns, and how to build more healthy and meaningful ways of relating moving forward.

Video Game & Social Media Overuse

Gaming and scrolling can be enjoyable and social, but when they become primary ways of coping they often start to take a toll on mood, motivation, sleep, school or work, and relationships. In therapy, we explore what the screen is offering, what it may be protecting against, and how to build a fuller, more satisfying life offline at a realistic and sustainable pace.

Life Transitions

Big changes like graduating, moving, changing schools or careers, or ending relationships can bring uncertainty and stress. Therapy offers a place to slow down, process what’s ending or changing, and get oriented toward what’s next.

How I Work

My work is collaborative and responsive rather than formula-driven. We pay attention to patterns, defenses, and relationships as they show up in real time, adjusting the work based on what is actually useful for the client. The goal is not quick fixes, but lasting internal changes that translate into everyday life.

For Parents

I offer parent check-ins and collateral sessions when helpful, with the goal of supporting the client’s growth rather than managing behavior. When appropriate, involving parents can help reduce tension at home, clarify dynamics, and create a more supportive environment for meaningful change while keeping the therapy centered on the young person.