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Adolescent Counseling – Charlotte, NC

A space where teens can be real, understood, and supported

Adolescent Counseling

Your journey.

Your life.

Your space.

Claim your space today

You want independence. You still need support. Both can be true.

Teens don’t open up to people who feel fake — so I don’t do fake. I show up with humor, sarcasm, purple hair, and a secret stash of candy. Therapy doesn’t need to feel stiff or awkward. They get enough of that everywhere else. This is a space where teens can roll their eyes, swear a little, talk about how parents can suck sometimes (and still be loved), and actually learn something about themselves and where they want to fit in the world. Here, we do different. We do real. We do honest. We get the work done, but we do it in a way that feels safe, natural, and not like another adult telling them what to do.

The Stuff No One Warned Them — or you — About

Their challenges aren’t “teen drama.” They’re real, constant, and exhausting — for everyone.

Person sitting with knees pulled close illustrating emotional distress related to trauma

Big Feelings, Zero Roadmap

Teens feel everything at a 10 — excitement, fear, anger, heartbreak — but no one hands them a manual for what to do with all of it. Therapy gives them a place to sort through the chaos without judgment or pressure.

Person standing outdoors wearing a backpack and beanie

Identity, Belonging, and “Who Even Am I?”

Adolescence is one long identity experiment. Teens are trying on versions of themselves, figuring out what fits, and deciding where they belong. They need space to explore who they are without being told who they “should” be.

Two people talking outdoors with one person gesturing

Relationships Are… Complicated

Friends, crushes, breakups, group chats, drama, misunderstandings — teen relationships are intense and confusing. Learning how to communicate, set boundaries, and recover from conflict is a huge part of growing up.

Mother and daughter sitting on couch arguing

Independence Without the Freefall

Teens want freedom, but they still need support. They’re learning how to make decisions, take risks, and handle consequences — and sometimes they need a guide who isn’t a parent to help them figure it out.

Today’s teens are growing up in a world that looks nothing like the one we survived. Their lives move at the speed of notifications, group chats, academic pressure, and constant comparison. Social media alone creates a level of scrutiny and performance we never had to deal with — and academic pressures make our teen years look like kindergarten. It’s no wonder they feel overwhelmed, anxious, or shut down. Therapy gives them a place to slow down, make sense of their emotions, and talk about things they definitely don’t want to talk to their parents about — without judgment, pressure, or someone lecturing them. And while we’re sorting through all of that, I’ll help them figure out how to talk to you in ways that don’t immediately turn into World War III. A little translation goes a long way.

Angela Hathaway traumainformed therapist in Charlotte NC standing outdoors in natural light

To Teens:

You’re right. Your parents don’t get it.

You’re growing up in a world that’s totally different from the one they knew — louder, faster, and harder to make sense of, even for you.

In my office, we live in your world. We keep it real. We talk about the stuff you can’t, aren’t ready to, or just don’t want to talk to your parents about. And yeah… we’ll probably have a little fun doing it too.

To Parents:

When your kid says “You don’t get it!”

 Believe them.

Four teenagers sitting together on a couch

Hover to see the 1 in 5 teens who have seriously considered attempting suicide in past year.

The most dangerous thing you can say is:

“Not my kid.”

40%

of teens reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the past year

20%

of teens reported seriously considering attempting suicide in the past year.

15%

of teens reported making a suicide plan in the past year.

9%

of teens reported attempting suicide in the past year.

Can you tell which kid is hurting behind their smile?

This isn’t about bad parenting.
It’s about how invisible teen suffering can be — even to the people who love them most.

Services

Clients Say

I never thought I’d actually like therapy. I thought I’d just sit there and cry or get lectured the whole time, but it was nothing like that. Angela is super chill. We laughed a lot. But when things got heavy, I felt like I could say whatever and not be judged or criticized.

E.C.

Client (17), 2022

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.

Call or text 988 to reach the

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 

FAQ for Teens & Parents

These are the questions I’m asked most often about teen counseling. If you’re looking for general FAQs, you can find those here.

FAQ for Parents

Most parents come to me because something just feels “off,” even if they can’t quite name it. Maybe your teen is withdrawing, overwhelmed, irritable, or struggling in ways that don’t match their usual self. Some parents arrive at their wits’ end and aren’t sure what else to do. Whether your teen is simply not themselves or is in a more serious crisis, counseling can help with both.

Yes. If your teen is 15–17 years old, a parent or guardian can schedule their first appointment. Just keep in mind that your teen will need to complete their own intake paperwork before the first session, so they’ll be involved in the process from the start.

Your teen gets privacy, and you get reassurance. The confidentiality laws for teens are the same as they are for adults. What your teen shares in counseling is private and cannot be shared with anyone — including parents — unless there is a serious safety concern. So, you’ll always know if something serious comes up, but your teen also gets room to be honest without fear of being “reported.” This privacy is what allows teens to be honest, and honesty is what makes counseling effective.

I encourage parents (both, if possible) to join the first session for the first 10–15 minutes. It gives us a chance to meet, set expectations, and hear your concerns. After that, unless there’s an unusual circumstance, ongoing parent involvement is up to your teen. Their privacy is essential for building trust.

Anything that matters to them. Stress, friendships, identity, school pressure, family dynamics, anxiety, relationships, boundaries, self‑esteem — whatever they’re carrying. Teens talk when they feel safe, not when they feel monitored. I create the space for that.

You can schedule the appointment and bring them in, but no one can force them to talk. I’m used to working with reluctant, skeptical, or “I’m only here because my mom made me” teens. My job is to meet them where they are and build trust at their pace. Most teens warm up after a few sessions once they realize counseling isn’t about being lectured — it’s about being understood. If it becomes clear after several sessions that they’re not willing to participate, I can’t ethically continue. Counseling only works when the teen is engaged on some level.

This is something you and your teen can decide together. I generally encourage teens to manage their own scheduling because:

  • Their schedules are often complicated, and it’s easier to coordinate directly.
  • They are the client, and taking responsibility is part of the therapeutic process.

But ultimately, whatever works best for your family is fine.

Yes — as long as the recommendations fall within my scope of practice. I do not provide learning disability assessments, IQ testing, or psychoeducational evaluations. I can provide documentation and recommendations related to mental health conditions I treat, such as PTSD, mood disorders, ADHD, and other clinical concerns.

No — therapists can’t prescribe medication. But we can talk about their symptoms, explore what they are experiencing, and figure out whether medication might help. If it seems like a good option, I can give you a referral to a psychiatrist who specializes in mental health medications.

Every therapist sets their own age range. I work with teens 15 and older. 

Absolutely. The teen years can bring big changes, and sometimes the whole family benefits from working together. Parents, step‑parents, siblings — anyone involved in the teen’s support system is welcome.

 

One note: if your teen is already my client, it’s their choice whether they’re comfortable “sharing” their therapist in a family session. Their sense of safety comes first.

Possibly. It depends on the situation and must be evaluated case by case. One rule always applies: everyone involved must consent. If your teen or any family member is uncomfortable with shared involvement, I’ll provide referrals for the other person.

When multiple family members are clients, each person’s privacy is protected. Information is not shared between clients or across sessions without explicit permission.

Teen Counseling FAQ

This is the number one question teens ask — and the answer is simple: no. What you share in counseling is private. The confidentiality laws for teens are the same as they are for adults. I can’t share your information with anyone, including your parents, unless there’s a serious safety concern like harm to yourself, harm to others, abuse, or a court order.

 

My job is to give you a space where you can be honest without worrying about someone “finding out.” If you ever want help talking to your parents about something, we can do that together — but the choice to share is always yours.

Honestly? Same. Therapy can feel weird at first — even for adults. You don’t have to be polished or “therapized.” You can ramble, sit in silence, swear, joke, or say “I don’t know.” Sometimes rambling brings out the best stuff, so ramble away. I’ll meet you exactly where you are.

Totally normal. Most teens walk in thinking, “I have no idea what I’m supposed to say.” You don’t need a plan, a list, or a big emotional moment ready to go.

My job is to ask the right questions, listen to what you have to say, and help us figure out where we want to start. Some people want to jump right into the big stuff. Others (most) want to start small so they can get a feel for how this counseling thing works. Sometimes we talk about your week. Sometimes we talk about something small that’s been bugging you. Sometimes we just get to know each other until something feels worth exploring.

There’s no wrong way to begin — we’ll find our starting point together.

Oh, and you can ask me questions too!

Then we won’t. You’re in control of what you share. If something feels too big, too personal, or too uncomfortable, we can work around it until you’re ready — or skip it entirely. Besides, you just met me. I need to earn your trust, and that takes time for a lot of people. I’m good with that.

You’re not alone — a lot of teens want counseling but aren’t sure how to ask for it or worry their parents won’t understand.

In both North Carolina and South Carolina, teens can legally access mental health counseling without a parent’s permission. That said, there are a few ways parents might find out anyway — like if their credit card is used for payment or if insurance sends them an Explanation of Benefits. I can keep your information private, but I can’t control what third‑party systems send to your parents.

If you’re unsure how to talk to them about wanting counseling, we can figure that out together.

Every therapist sets their own age range. I work with teens 15 and older.

They can make the appointment and drive you here, but they can’t make you participate. I can’t force you to talk, and I wouldn’t want to.

Most teens are unsure about counseling at first. I usually ask you to give it a fair shot — a few sessions to see how it feels. Rumor has it I’m pretty easy to talk to, so try it out. If it’s not helpful, we’ll talk about that too.

Definitely not. I’m not here to team up with your parents or gang up on you. You are my client, and you’re my first priority. My job is to understand your perspective and help you figure out what you need. This room is all about you

Absolutely. Whether you’re working through something tough or just want to build a healthy foundation, teen couples are welcome here.
Those early relationships shape so much of how we see ourselves and others. I love helping couples learn communication, boundaries, and emotional safety early on. I really want to normalize teen couples counseling, so I offer teen couples counseling at the same rate as individual sessions.

No — therapists can’t prescribe medication. But we can talk about your symptoms, explore what you’re experiencing, and figure out whether medication might help. If it seems like a good option, I’ll refer you to a psychiatrist who specializes in mental health medications.

Support is here when you’re ready.

Let’s do this together

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