5 Questions to Ask a Teen Therapist in Berkeley Before You Book
Helping You Make a Confident, Informed Choice for Your Teen’s Mental Health
Finding a therapist in Berkeley for your teen can feel overwhelming. There’s no shortage of profiles, credentials, and therapy jargon — but how do you really know who will connect with your child?
As a teen therapist in Berkeley, I talk to parents every week who are trying to figure out how to choose someone who will make their child feel safe, understood, and actually want to come back. That first conversation matters. So let’s take the guesswork out of it.
Whether you’re totally new to therapy or looking for a better fit, here are 5 key questions to ask any teen therapist — and how I personally answer them.
1. “How do you build trust with teens who don’t want to be in therapy?”
This is the question. Many teens aren’t asking for therapy — it’s their parents who are calling. That first session can be awkward. A good therapist won’t expect teens to open up right away, and definitely won’t pressure them.
In my Berkeley teen therapy practice, I meet teens exactly where they are. I start slow, talk like a real person (not a clipboard), and let them set the pace. I also normalize their resistance. I might say, “You don’t have to trust me yet — in fact, I don’t expect you to.”
Why this matters: If a therapist isn’t prioritizing rapport from the beginning, your teen might shut down before real progress can happen.
2. “How do you involve parents without breaking confidentiality?”
You want to know what’s going on — but you also want your teen to feel safe being honest. This is a tough balance, and every therapist handles it differently.
In my work, I actively partner with parents, but never violate your teen’s trust. I’ll loop you in on general themes, help you understand what’s developmentally expected, and coach you through strategies that support change at home. If something serious comes up (like safety concerns), I always bring the teen into the conversation about what needs to be shared.
This collaborative, family-inclusive approach is what makes teen therapy work stick.
3. “What experience do you have with the kinds of things my teen is going through?”
If your teen is struggling with anxiety, mood swings, identity questions, school avoidance, or peer drama, you want someone who’s seen it before — and knows how to help.
As a licensed therapist in Berkeley, I specialize in adolescent mental health, including:
Anxiety and overwhelm
Social struggles and isolation
Perfectionism and school pressure
Family conflict and communication breakdowns
Identity development and emotional regulation
I also offer parent counseling in Berkeley so we can work together to support your teen from all angles.
4. “What does progress look like — and how will we know if therapy is working?”
This is an important one. Therapy can feel mysterious if you’re not sure what to look for.
In my practice, we define success together. Sometimes it’s fewer emotional blow-ups. Sometimes it’s sleeping better or being more confident with friends. I regularly check in (with both teens and parents) about what’s working and what’s not — and we adjust the plan accordingly.
Therapy should feel like it’s moving forward, even if it’s slow. If it starts to feel stuck, that’s something we talk about openly.
5. “What happens during the first few sessions?”
You don’t have to prepare for anything fancy — just come as you are.
The first session is mostly about getting to know each other. I ask questions about school, friendships, family life, and whatever else feels important. Teens can skip questions, tell me what they wish adults understood, or just sit quietly. There’s no pressure.
By session 2 or 3, we start setting some gentle goals. Nothing rigid — just a shared understanding of what we’re working toward. I always check in about how therapy feels, not just what we’re doing.
🗣️ A Free 15-Minute Phone Consultation with a Therapist in Berkeley
If you’re exploring therapy for your teen, you don’t have to do it alone. Let’s talk. I offer a free 15-minute consultation so you can ask more questions, share what’s going on, and get a feel for whether I’m the right fit.
As a therapist in Berkeley, I work with teens and their families to build connection, resilience, and emotional growth — even when things feel tough. If you’re ready to take the next step, reach out here.
Therapist in Berkeley - Author Bio
Robyn Ganeles, LMFT, is a therapist in Berkeley specializing in anxiety, infertility, parenting, and adolescent mental health. With over 15 years of experience, she combines evidence-based practices with a warm, relational approach to help clients feel understood and empowered. Robyn is also a clinical supervisor at Seneca Family of Agencies and has presented at regional and national conferences on parenting, trauma, and school-based mental health. She holds an MA in Counseling Psychology (USF), an MFA from Yale, and a BA from UC Berkeley.