Teen Therapy
With Cal Klingensmith
As a native New Yorker, I understand the pressures and culture that are unique to growing up in the city.
I also attended a private school in NYC, so I especially understand the stress of navigating the private school system.
Wondering if your teen’s behavior is typical?
Has the child you once knew suddenly become distant?
Do you see your kid stressed out?
Teens are figuring themselves out while going through physical, mental, and emotional changes, while navigating school, friendships, family, and growing independence. It’s a lot to manage, and it can show up as conflict at home, slipping grades, changes in mood, or choices that leave parents worried.
Teen therapy helps make sense of what’s happening so your child and your family can move forward with more understanding, insight, and connection.
Parents and Teens Reach Out To Me With:
Slipping grades
Friendship struggles
Mood shifts
Family conflict
Growing independence
Identity questions
Academic pressure
Sometimes the reason for therapy is obvious.
Other times, parents just notice that something has changed.
Teen years are complicated.
When things feel overwhelming, involving a neutral, supportive adult makes a big difference.
How Teen Therapy With Me Works
What they share with me is confidential. The first step is always building a relationship with your teen. I listen without judgment and work to become the empathetic adult they know is in their corner.
Once trust is there, I update parents when appropriate so families can practice healthier communication and support each other while keeping the therapy relationship centered on the teen.
I meet your teen where they are, naming what they’re experiencing, talking about what’s stressing them out, and identifying what they want to be different and how to get there. We work on gaining confidence by helping your teen identify and embrace all the different parts of themselves. We also explore ways to manage stress, improve emotion regulation, and learn strategies to effectively communicate their needs to friends, teachers, and parents.
Approaches I Use
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Builds skills for managing emotions, stress, and relationships and helps teens handle tough moments with more control.
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Uses the therapy relationship to understand patterns with other people to support stronger friendships and family communication.
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Helps teens understand different parts of themselves and supports greater self-connection and clarity.
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Looks at patterns and what is happening underneath them to help teens understand themselves better.
Your Teen Is Becoming Themselves.
But they Still Need You.
Therapy can help your teen build independence while helping your family stay connected during a challenging stage of life.
After Teen Therapy With Me, Families Report:
More confidence
Happier friendships
Improved stress management
Having fun
Better focus
Stronger communication of their feelings and needs
Self-acceptance
The goal isn’t simply to change a behavior.
It’s to help your teen be more comfortable with themselves while giving the whole family a better way to understand each other.
About Cal Klingensmith
I started in community mental health working with high-stress, high-risk teens. I’m pretty confident in saying, I think I’ve seen it all. My therapy is designed to help teens and families understand each other again.
My sessions are relaxed, collaborative, and direct. My office gives living room vibes. I bike to work most days, my desk is always a bit messy, and I usually wear jeans and T-shirts, with shorts in the summer.
Despite the casual demeanor, I’m tenacious and deeply value my work with clients.
I’m a native New Yorker currently living in Harlem, a parent to a young toddler, and outside of therapy I love skiing, cycling, rec softball, and games of all kinds.
If you’re ready to take the first step, I’d be glad to connect.
Availability: provide in-person therapy in New York City, and virtual therapy via telehealth for clients across New York State and Connecticut.
Education, Credentials, & Trainings
New York University Silver School of Social Work, MSW
Macalester College, BA
Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy, Center for the Study of Anorexia and Bulimia
DBT Intensive Training, Behavioral Tech
NYU Counseling and Wellness Services, Primary Therapist, DBT, Gender and Sexuality, and Eating Disorder Teams
Metro Behavioral Health Associates, Eating Disorder Clinician
3 Steps To Get Started
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Fill out the contact form and share a little about what is going on. If I’m not the right fit, I will try and help connect you with someone who may be.
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We’ll schedule a short consultation to talk about your teen and see if working together feels like a good match.
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Your teen and I will begin building trust, understanding what they are going through, and creating a path forward together.