Therapy For Teens And Young Adults In New York:
A Safe Space For Clarity, Self-Exploration, & Healing
At Waves of Wellness MHC, I understand that teens and young adults have this pressure to have it all together is real.
School stress, family stuff, planning out your future, dealing with friend drama - It’s a lot. If your mind won’t relax, your chest feels too tight, or you’re tired of pretending you’re “fine,” then let therapy allow you to just be.
This space is here for you — to vent, to explore, to untangle your thoughts, and to breath. At Waves of Wellness MHC, there’s no judgment. Just a Safe, Supportive, and grounding environment, with support that makes sense.
There’s nothing wrong with you — you’re just learning how to tread the waves.
The waves are constantly knocking you over and It’s overwhelming, confusing, and exhaustion - but you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Therapy can be beneficial for you, if:
→ You use sarcasm and humor to cope with your stressors and feelings.
→ You feel anxious thinking about your future.
→ You feel lost trying to know exactly who you are, especially in a world filled with labels, expectations, and comparisons.
→ You constantly feel misunderstood and invisible, like no one really gets you.
→ You feel paralyzed thinking about failure, making the “wrong” choice, and disappointing others.
→ There are traumatizing situations and experiences you’ve had, that are impacting your daily functioning.
→ You feel like nothing you’ve done or will do is ever good enough.
→ You struggle to feel comfortable within your own skin, lacking self-confidence and self-esteem.
→ You worry about fitting in, often over-analyzing what you said or did around others.
→ You doom scroll on Tiktok and Instagram to avoid sitting with your feelings.
→ You have a hard time adjusting to changes such as graduating, break-ups, loss of friendships, starting college, etc.
→ You avoid being around or engaging in specific triggers such as people, tasks, or settings.
→ You feel disconnected from yourself and your emotions, often feeling stuck or numb.
→ You feel a pressure from yourself or others to meet a certain expectation or standard.
Benefits Of Starting Counseling With Waves of Wellness MHC:
Improved Emotional Resilience:
Learn how to ride the waves of your emotions by developing tools to help you understand where your emotions come from and how to regulate your nervous system.
Increased Insight & Self-Worth:
Let go of perfectionistic tendencies by developing the skills to challenge limiting beliefs and negative self-talk, while exploring their identity and values.
Feel Empowered & Develop autonomy
Feel confident in showing up as you are and be able to reclaim control over your life and your choices, without worrying about if you’re being “too much.”
Stronger Boundaries & Communication:
Practice communication skills and setting boundaries, to be able to navigate interpersonal conflict and express your thoughts, feelings, and needs clearly and confidently.
Heal From Past Experiences:
Release suppressed shame and guilt, by processing old emotional wounds, experiences, and trauma that are still lingering underneath the surface, to feel freed and emotionally whole.
Freedom To Be Imperfect & Messy
Have a safe, nonjudgmental space to be seen, heard, and validated without the pressure to hold it together all the time and where you don’t have to feel alone in your journey.
Why Choose Waves of Wellness MHC?
Meet Your Therapist
Samantha Southard, LMHC
As someone who has walked through the same societal pressures around being “perfect,” pleasing others, and hiding your emotions — I understand how difficult it can be to navigate such an important chapter of your life.
My approach is:
Relational and Person-Centered — built on trust, compassion, humor, and rapport.
Holistic and Grounding — where we are treating your whole self (body, mind, & emotions).
Safe for All Identities — inclusive, affirming, and trauma-aware
Empowering — where you will feeling seen, supported, and capable of change
FAQ’s About Therapy for Teens & Young Adults in New York
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I support teens and young adults navigating:
Low self-esteem or self-worth
Anxiety, panic attacks, and social anxiety
Perfectionism and people-pleasing
Identity development
Body image and social media pressure
Family or peer relationship struggles
Feeling stuck, lost, or emotionally exhausted
Major life adjustments such as grief/ loss, graduation, starting college, managing break-ups, etc.
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If you’ve been feeling anxious, stuck, unsure of yourself, lost, or exhausted from trying to keep it all together—therapy might be exactly what you need. You don’t need to be in crisis to deserve support.
Remember that starting therapy isn’t a sign of weakness - it’s a sign of hope, self-awareness, and strength.
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Counseling sessions are conducted on a weekly basis where we meet you where you’re at. The length of therapy is dependent on where you are in your healing journey.
Sessions may use a blend of:
Psychotherapy/ Talk Therapy
Mindfulness/ Grounding Tools
Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches
Holistic Approaches - Sand Tray Therapy, Inner Child Work, etc. *if aligned
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Yes, everything shared in therapy is confidential and protected. There are exceptions, such as someone if you are in danger of hurting yourself/ experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges, or someone else is at risk of serious harm.
For teens, we’ll discuss exactly what confidentiality means and create a safe, honest space from the start.
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Yes, if it is helpful and beneficial for a teen client. I’ll collaborate with parents as needed to support the family system—while also respecting the teen’s privacy.
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Waves of Wellness MHC is able to offer in-person sessions for clients who are able to commute to Staten Island, NY.
Virtual counseling sessions are available for anyone located in New York - offering you flexibility, comfort, and accessibility.
For all other questions about therapy, please fill out a contact form and schedule your free consultation to discuss your needs and see if it’s a good fit!
Clients under the age of 18, will need parent/ guardian consent when scheduling a counseling appointment.
