Teen Support Group - Charlotte, NC

A Safe Space for Teens to Connect, Grow, and Feel Heard

REAL Talk for REAL Life

A safe space, where you can be 100% REAL

A place to talk about the hard stuff you want to talk about, but don't know how.

If you’ve got stuff going on — family drama, friend drama, school stress, or just life being a lot — you don’t have to deal with it alone. This group is a chill space to show up exactly as you are, talk if you want to, listen if you don’t, and be around people who get it. No pressure, no fake positivity, no “you should just…” advice. Just real people, real conversations, and a place where you can breathe for a minute.

What We Talk About

Real Talk?

Let’s be real — life throws a lot at you, and half the time it feels like you’re supposed to just deal with it and keep moving. This group is where you can drop the act. Say the things you’ve been holding in, talk about the stuff that’s been eating at you, or just sit back and listen while other people get honest about their own chaos. No fake vibes, no judgment, no adults lecturing you. Just real talk, real people, and a space where you don’t have to pretend you’re fine when you’re definitely not!

Yeah, I know I’m the ‘old lady’ in the room — I grew up in a totally different world than you. I get that. And yes, I’m a mom, but I’m not your mom, and I’m not gonna act like it. Honestly? I kind of love getting to be a teenager for a little while. Fun fact: I probably swear more than you do.

Why Group Therapy?

Group counseling and individual counseling serve different purposes.

Individual counseling is where you go deep – understand your patterns, learn new tools, and work through the stuff you aren’t ready to say out loud yet. It’s one‑on‑one support, totally focused on you.

Group counseling is where you get to practice the things we talk about in individual sessions — communication, boundaries, confidence, connection — but with actual humans your age. It’s a place to see you’re not the only one dealing with this stuff, and to hear perspectives you’d never get from an adult (even a cool one).

Group can be a great place to start if you’re curious about counseling but not ready for the intensity of one‑on‑one sessions. You get support, connection, and guidance — without the pressure of being the only one talking.

How do I sign up?

Signing up is easy – 4 easy steps!

(No phone calls, no awkward conversations)

This is an open enrollment group, so you can join anytime.

Looking for individual counseling instead?

Group Counseling FAQ

Do I have to talk?

Nope. You can talk, listen, nod, stare at the rug — whatever. BUT — most people find that once they settle in, they end up wanting to share at least a little, because it helps them get more out of the group. And honestly, you’ll probably relate to a lot of what other people say. Most teens are dealing with the same insecurities, stress, and “am I the only one who feels like this” stuff.

So you’re welcome to talk when you’re ready… and until then, you can just listen, take it in, and be part of the room.

What if I don’t know anyone?

Most people don’t — and honestly, that’s a good thing for a lot of people. It can feel way easier to open up when you’re not sitting next to someone from your math class. For some, it actually feels more anonymous, which can make it feel safer.

Everyone starts out a little awkward, but it fades fast. And you might be surprised how quickly you realize you’re all dealing with similar stuff.

What if someone from school is in the group?

It happens, and usually it’s not an issue. Here’s the deal: I do not play with confidentiality. Not in individual counseling, and definitely not in group. What’s said in the room stays in the room. Period.

If someone from school is in the group with you, the rule doesn’t change: you respect their privacy, and they respect yours. If you ever hear someone talking about group stuff outside the room, tell me right away so I can handle it privately. (We’re not calling people out in front of everyone — that’s not how I roll.)

And if anyone in the group makes you feel uncomfortable — whether you know them from school or not — I want you to tell me immediately so I can address it. I’ve got your back.

Just so it’s clear: if someone breaks confidentiality or makes the space unsafe, they risk being asked to leave the group. Everyone deserves to feel safe here, including you.

What if I get emotional?

Some people are stressed about life in general, others are dealing with heavier stuff — and both belong here. We don’t sit here and boo‑hoo the whole time. We actually laugh a lot. But yes, occasionally, feelings get big. It’s a support group – the whole point is that we support each other through it.

We’re keeping it REAL, right? You don’t have to hold it together for this group. This is a place where feelings are allowed.

And if you ever feel overwhelmed or like your emotions are taking over, I’m right there to help you re‑regulate. I’m a therapist — it’s literally what I do.

What if I say something embarrassing?

Let’s be real: at some point, you’re probably going to say something and then immediately think, “Did I seriously just say that out loud?” That’s not a group thing — that’s a being a teenager (and honestly, being a human myself – even I experience it on a daily basis!) thing.

More often than not, whatever you just said… someone was already thinking it, they just weren’t brave enough to say it out loud. A lot of times, someone will say “same,” and you’ll see that it’s actually okay to be REAL here.

This isn’t a space where people roast you or hold things against you. It’s a space where you get to be honest, messy, awkward, whatever — and still be accepted.

What if I miss a week?

Consistency matters — you’ll get way more out of the group if you show up regularly. But if you need to skip a week, that’s totally fine. Just let me know ahead of time so I’m not wondering where you are and so I can plan for the group.

This is an open‑enrollment group, which means you can start anytime, but it also means communication is a big deal. If you decide the group isn’t a good fit for you, or it just doesn’t work for you schedule, please let me know so I can offer your spot to someone on the waitlist who could use the support.

Because we meet every other week, missing three sessions in a row means you haven’t been here in six weeks — at that point, I’ll assume you’ve stepped away and I’ll open your spot to someone else unless you’ve talked to me.

And just so expectations are clear:

You get one freebie for a no‑call/no‑show.
The second one has a 50% no‑show fee.
The third one is also 50%, and if there’s a waitlist, you’ll likely be dropped and will need to sign up again when you’re able to attend more consistently.

The bottom line: life happens, just communicate with me. I’m not here to guilt‑trip you — I just want to make sure the group stays supportive and balanced for everyone.

Will my parents know what I say?

Nope. Remember that confidentiality thing? That goes for parents too. What’s said in group stays in group.

The only time I would share anything with anyone outside the group is if a life‑threatening situation comes up and I’m concerned about your immediate safety or someone else’s. That’s it.

Otherwise, what you share here stays here.

What if I’m LGBTQ+? Is this a safe space?

Yes — absolutely. This group is a safe and affirming space for LGBTQIA+ teens. I have zero tolerance for anyone being rude, dismissive, or disrespectful about someone’s gender, sexuality, or identity.

Questions are welcome — they usually mean someone is trying to understand your world better. But disrespectful comments? Not happening here. They will be addressed, and they will not be tolerated.

You get to show up exactly as you are. This group has your back.

Can I bring a friend?

Maybe — probably. A lot of people feel safer trying something new when they’ve got someone they already trust with them, especially at first when you’re not totally sure what this whole “group thing” feels like. Fair enough.

In most cases, it’s totally fine as long as there’s a spot open for them. But we need to talk first so I can get a sense of who they are and how it might affect the vibe of the group. I want to make sure things don’t start feeling like a clique or a duo‑show — everyone here deserves to feel included, not like an outsider watching two besties whisper in the corner.

And real talk: when friends are in the same group, the chances of gossip or talking behind someone’s back go way up. That does not build trust, and trust is kind of the whole point of this space.

Your friend also needs to be here for the same reason you are: to give and get support — not just to be your sidekick. If it turns out this group isn’t the best fit for them, it may be possible for them to join another group that fits better.

So yes, bringing a friend can work… we just need to check in about it first

Can I attend online?

At this time, no — this group meets in person.
BUT I’m currently gauging interest for a second group that would be online. If you’d prefer an online option, please reach out and let me know. It only takes three people to start a new group, and I’m totally open to building one if there’s interest.

Can I get individual counseling too?

Yes. Group and individual counseling can work really well together, and sometimes one brings up things you want to explore in the other. You might talk about something in an individual session that you want to process with peers in group — or something in group might bring up feelings you want to dig into one‑on‑one (or just didn’t want to say in front of the whole group). Each format brings its own benefits and meets different needs — but they are two different spaces with two different purposes.

And just so it’s crystal clear: what you share in individual sessions does not get brought into the group unless you choose to share it. No one in the group will even know you’re an individual client unless you tell them.

Confidentiality isn’t just a vibe — it’s the law. I legally cannot talk about anything from your individual sessions in group (or anywhere else) without your permission. Your privacy stays protected, always.

Services

Clients Say

YES. Snacks happen. It’s a 5:30 group — aka dinnertime — and I’m hungry too. Sometimes it’s cookies, sometimes it’s pizza, but I won’t let you starve.