Teen Therapy in Montana
Support for Adolescents, Emotional Growth, and Resilience
What Is Teen Therapy?
Teen therapy is designed to support adolescents as they navigate emotional, social, and developmental challenges during a critical stage of growth. Adolescence is a time of rapid change, and many teens benefit from having a supportive, neutral space to process emotions, build coping skills, and better understand themselves.
At Bozeman Therapy & Counseling, we provide teen therapy grounded in evidence-based approaches and an attachment-informed lens. We focus on helping teens feel understood, supported, and empowered while also collaborating with caregivers when appropriate to strengthen family relationships.
Why Consider Teen Therapy?
Even teens with strong family support can benefit from therapy. Adolescents today face intense academic pressure, social challenges, identity exploration, and emotional stress that can feel overwhelming.
Teen therapy can help adolescents:
✔ Manage anxiety, depression, and emotional overwhelm
✔ Build healthy coping and self-regulation skills
✔ Improve self-esteem and confidence
✔ Navigate peer relationships and social stress
✔ Process life transitions, losses, or family changes
✔ Strengthen communication with parents and caregivers
Therapy offers teens a space where they feel heard and respected, while also supporting healthier patterns at home and school.
What to Expect in Teen Therapy Sessions
Teen therapy begins with an initial session to understand your teen’s needs, strengths, and challenges. Sessions are typically individual, giving teens a confidential space to talk openly, while caregivers are involved thoughtfully and intentionally when helpful.
In teen therapy, we may focus on:
Understanding emotions and reactions
Learning practical coping and regulation tools
Exploring identity, values, and self-worth
Improving communication and problem-solving skills
Supporting healthier relationships with peers and family
Our clinicians clearly explain confidentiality and parent involvement so everyone understands how the process works and feels supported.
CBT vs. DBT for Teens: Which Is Better?
Both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) are effective, evidence-based approaches for teens. The best fit depends on your teen’s needs.
CBT focuses on understanding thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It is often helpful for anxiety, depression, and negative thinking patterns.
DBT skills emphasize emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. These skills are especially helpful for teens who experience intense emotions or struggle with emotional control.
Our clinicians tailor the approach to each teen rather than using a one-size-fits-all model.
Who We Serve
We provide teen therapy for adolescents beginning around age 11 and up. Services are available in person at our Bozeman office and through secure teletherapy across Montana.
We serve teens who are:
Managing anxiety or depression
Navigating identity development
Experiencing academic or social stress
Part of blended families or family transitions
Seeking LGBTQ+-affirming, inclusive care
We also collaborate with caregivers and schools when appropriate to support teens holistically.
Evidence-Based Therapies for Teens in Bozeman
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely researched therapies for teens and is commonly used to treat anxiety, depression, and ADHD. CBT helps teens understand how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected. By identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and learning new coping strategies, teens gain practical tools to manage stress, worry, low mood, and emotional overwhelm.
CBT is often a good fit for teens who:
-Experience anxiety or panic
-Struggle with negative self-talk or low self-esteem
-Need concrete tools for managing emotions or focus
-Prefer a structured, skills-based approach
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based therapy designed to support teens who experience intense emotions, mood swings, impulsivity, or difficulty with emotional regulation. DBT teaches skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness, helping teens feel more in control during overwhelming moments.
DBT is often helpful for teens who:
-Feel emotions very intensely or struggle to calm down
-Experience self-harm urges or impulsive behaviors
-Have frequent conflicts in relationships
-Feel overwhelmed by stress or emotional reactivity
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Family-Based Therapy for Teens
Family-based therapy recognizes that teens do not exist in isolation. This approach supports both the adolescent and their caregivers by improving communication, reducing conflict, and strengthening emotional safety within the family system. Therapy may include joint sessions with parents and individual sessions with the teen, depending on needs.
Family-based therapy is often beneficial when:
-Family conflict is contributing to emotional distress
-A teen is struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, or trauma
-Parents want guidance on how to best support their teen
-The goal is to improve trust, connection, and understanding at home
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Interpersonal Therapy for Adolescents (IPT-A)
Interpersonal Therapy for Adolescents (IPT-A) focuses on how relationships impact mood and emotional well-being. This approach is particularly effective for teen depression and helps teens understand how changes, conflicts, grief, or social struggles affect how they feel. Therapy focuses on improving communication skills, strengthening relationships, and navigating social transitions.
IPT-A may be a strong fit for teens who:
-Are experiencing depression linked to relationship stress
-Struggle with peer relationships or social withdrawal
-Are navigating major life transitions such as school changes or loss
-Feel misunderstood or disconnected from others
Meet Our Adolescent Therapists
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Sarah Marsh, LCSW
Clinical Social Worker Candidate
Specializes in adolescent therapy with a focus on anxiety, depression, ADHD, and trauma. Sarah works with teens and their families to support emotional regulation, strengthen attachment, and build resilience during key developmental years.
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Kelsie Ortiz, PCLC
Clinical Professional Counselor Candidate
Specializes in working with adolescents and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, and trauma. Kelsie offers a warm, collaborative approach that helps clients feel seen, supported, and better equipped to navigate emotional and relational challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teen Therapy in Bozeman
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Signs may include persistent sadness or anxiety, withdrawal, academic decline, emotional outbursts, changes in sleep or appetite, or difficulty coping with stress. Therapy can also be helpful even without a crisis.
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Yes. Sliding scale and discounted fees may be available based on clinician availability and financial need.
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Yes. We offer secure, HIPAA-compliant teletherapy for teens and families across Montana.
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Absolutely. We provide inclusive, affirming care for LGBTQ+ teens and families.
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Teen therapy sessions are typically $150–$250 per 60-minute session depending on the clinician. In-network insurance options may reduce costs to agreed insurance rates, often around $150 per hour. Sliding scale options may also be available.
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Yes. We welcome school referrals and can collaborate with counselors or support teams when helpful.
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If your teen is in immediate danger or experiencing thoughts of self-harm, call 911 or contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
Start Teen Therapy Today
We currently offer same-week appointments for teen therapy, with morning, mid-day, and evening availability, both in person and online.