Adolescence can be challenging. Fortunately, you live in an age of specialization. 

Dr. Buckley specializes in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. She has extensive training and experience counseling teens with serious mental illness, family conflicts, school problems, and difficult life circumstances. Her approach to adolescent counseling creates an enjoyable experience where you and your teen benefit from evidenced-based techniques tailored to fit your preferences and your teen’s specific needs.

At Blue Heron Psychology, adolescent counseling teaches teens to practice the decision-making and emotional control required of young adults while strengthening parent-child bonds. You are encouraged to stay actively involved in counseling to support your teen’s increasing emotional autonomy. You may participate in every session or every few sessions depending on your preferences and your teen’s needs. Adolescent counseling is offered for ages 13 to 19. For younger children, please see  Child Counseling. 

Dr. Buckley helps teens overcome anxiety, anger, acting out, and academic failure.

She has a particular interest in counseling adolescents struggling with anxiety, anger, bipolar disorder, behavior problems, bullying, depression, failing grades, inattention, self-harm, school avoidance, social problems, and trauma. She has experience teaching teens to manage negative emotions, control impulses, communicate effectively, and solve social problems while minimizing lying, arguing, rule-breaking, self-harm, and avoidance. She teaches teens using humor, visual aids, and role-play with feedback. She also works with you to develop a reward system at home to encourage participation in counseling and other adaptive behaviors. 

She applies cognitive-behavioral therapy and positive psychology to promote age-appropriate autonomy for your teen, and strong bonds between you and your child. Dr. Buckley’s style is accepting, interactive, and at times entertaining. She teaches teens to practice mood management, problem-solving, impulse control, and organizational skills. Additionally, she works to strengthen trust, communication, and harmony in the home.

Adolescent counseling typically involves, setting specific goals, gaining knowledge and skills, and when you are ready, practicing them in the real world. In addition, Dr. Buckley supports you in encouraging adaptive behavior and mood management from your teen while avoiding unproductive conflicts. Successful counseling prepares both you and your teenage child to continue using effective strategies after counseling has ended. For more information about Dr. Buckley’s expertise, or whether she may help with your particular concerns about your teenage child, please contact Dr. Buckley.

Counseling is a straightforward process. 

You briefly speak with Dr. Buckley by phone to share your concerns, ask questions, and ensure that your concerns and your adolescent's needs may be met before scheduling. The first meeting lasts a full 60-minute hour. The full hour is necessary to ensure informed consent, learn your child’s history, clarify your concerns and goals, meet with your child, and develop an action plan with you. All parents are encouraged to participate in counseling, and are welcome at the first few meetings based on your schedule and preferences.

At the first meeting, Dr. Buckley will meet with you first and then, with your permission, your teenage child. This allows you and your teen to share specific concerns, and in many cases contrasting perspectives while avoiding conflict. She will then meet with you both to create an action plan. If you agree to the plan, you may schedule additional sessions.

An initial trial of 1 to 4 weekly sessions is typically recommended for teens who would benefit from counseling. Some children benefit from only a few sessions, while others may need a full course of 8 to 12 sessions to meet their goals. If your child completes a full course and you wish to continue, you have the option of shorter and less frequent check-ins to ensure sustained wellbeing for your child. At Blue Heron Psychology, you can end counseling at any time, and you and your teen take the skills and strategies learned with you.

Blue Heron Psychology offers counseling with the highest confidentiality allowed by law, and without requiring your child to be labeled. 

At Blue Heron Psychology, your child will receive discrete professional counseling without being mislabeled or overdiagnosed. As a licensed psychologist, Dr. Buckley offers you and your child understanding and expertise while respecting your privacy, dignity, and autonomy. She personally stores your child’s counseling record, and offers you a greater level of access to the record than is required by the law.

At Blue Heron Psychology, you will be informed about the benefits and risks of a legal diagnosis for your child prior to consenting to counseling. If you are open to a diagnosis for your child, Dr. Buckley typically recommends using standardized measures in addition to the first meeting to ensure an accurate diagnosis. In the case that a diagnosis is added to your child’s record, you will be informed, may object, and may decide with whom to share this information. 

Safeguarding your child’s wellbeing and privacy is paramount to successful counseling. For this reason, Blue Heron Psychology does not accept payment from insurance companies. Counseling is offered fee-for-service only. You do not have to sacrifice your child’s privacy or accept a legal diagnosis to benefit from counseling. 

Rates

The first meeting is a flat fee of $225 for a full 60-minute hour.  Session rates range between $115 and $199 each, depending on their length and whether you purchase them as part of a discounted multi-session package. At Blue Heron Psychology, you save time and money by customizing a counseling action plan that works for you. 

Blue Heron Psychology is considered an Out-of-Network Provider. If you prefer to self-submit receipts for counseling to your insurance company for reimbursement, Dr. Buckley will be happy to provide you with the necessary Superbill. However, the fee must be paid in full prior to the start of each session or package, and Blue Heron Psychology cannot guarantee that your insurance company will reimburse you for services rendered. For more information about rates please contact Dr. Buckley.