Katie Jensen
MWS, LCSW
Anxiety therapy for teens and adults in STL
Teens
You have an amazing kid, but sometimes you have no clue what is going on in their world!
Most of the time your teen has it all together: they work hard at school, they get great grades, they’re engaged in a bunch of after school activities, and their teachers and coaches all love them. However, sometimes they melt down and you can’t help but see the anxiety spilling out of them. Then, just as quickly as they lost it, it stops, and all they’ll tell you is they’re “fine.”
sound familiar?
Does your teen…
Have big emotions at unexpected times?
Escape to their room for hours on end?
Have trouble connecting to their peers and making lasting friendships?
Do you try to help and it just seems to make the situation worse?
You don’t know how to connect with your teen and they have no desire to connect with you – until they need your help! It feels like you’re walking on eggshells, always trying to watch for their mood shifts but no matter how alert you are, you can’t seem to predict what they’re feeling, wanting, and actually need from you.
They call me the teen whisperer.
I help teens slow down their thoughts and feelings so we can make sense of what’s going on.
After all, if they don’t know what’s going on in themselves, how is anyone else supposed to know? Together, we put words to their emotions, body sensations, and past and current experiences. We practice communicating these things in session, so they can start letting you in on what they need. I can’t promise that your teen will regularly use “I feel… when… because…” statements in the heat of the moment. But, we will work on pausing, slowing down, and communicating something real before they run off to their room. Then, after their brain comes back online (via healthy coping skills), you can circle back and explore what just happened.
I often see situations like this playing out:
Parent reminds teen to study for a test after dinner
The teen throws their plate into the sink and stomps off to study in their room until wee hours of the morning
Parent has no idea what’s going on in that room or why teen is so mad
The parent is questioning whether or not to approach the teen
Then finally the teen aces the test the next day
So we believe everything is ok…
Right? Maybe? Sort of?
Teens often resist and block their parents when they are struggling.
I promise it’s not just you.
It can feel so painful and helpless when all you want to do is be there for your kid, but they won’t let you.
It’s a fine line between giving your teen some space and socially isolating while they try to solve their problems all by themselves. My goal is to help your teen regulate their emotions, relax their body, and find the courage to reconnect in meaningful ways.
I work with many high achieving and high performing students who shut down and block everyone out when they are struggling. Identifying and communicating your feelings is hard work and they don’t have time for that – they have two quizzes to study for, a project to finish, and they have to go to soccer practice!
Therapy is one of the best places where someone can start to prioritize their mental health and wellness. I hope to see you there!
Adults
You’re tired of anxiety controlling your life…
You’re exhausted. You’ve been working hard your entire life. You have all the accolades. The reality is, all the external validation didn't solve the internal crisis. Instead, you're constantly fighting a gnawing feeling of being an imposter, fueled by an exhausting mix of self-doubt and restlessness. You're perpetually bracing for the moment someone realizes you're not as competent as you appear.
This underlying tension is leading to…
Burnout
Sleepless nights
Constant negative thoughts about yourself
I specialize in working with adults who are high achieving, capable, and driven and are…
Longing to quiet the inner critic
Build resilience and confidence in simply being yourself
Stop the endless pursuit for external validation
Starting therapy can feel like a daunting process.
It can also be the place where you find yourself.
I use a method that is grounded in connection; connection with each other and connection with your thoughts, feelings, needs, and wants. It allows me to be a part of the process of identifying the things that don’t seem to be working for you and also the strengths you have that you often ignore. We will work together to silence the unhelpful anxiety and lean into your strengths.
I know there are so many wonderful parts that make you, YOU! I create an atmosphere that is warm, accepting, and honors everyone’s individual story. I’m a real human too, so therapy with me isn’t about seeking perfection but exploring all the parts of yourself and finding ways to show up that manifests authenticity. When we can be more fully ourselves, we take risks, gain clarity, find our purpose, and use our internal skills to reassure and center ourselves that everything will be ok. It is only then that we will be unstoppable.
You’ve already proven you can push through, perform, and keep it all together – but you’re ready for a change. If you’re ready to trade burnout for something that feels a little more like you, let’s talk. Therapy doesn’t have to be stiff or perfect – it just has to be real.