Teen Counseling - Santa Barbara

The teenage years are full of change – and for many young people, that change can bring emotional stress, anxiety, or uncertainty. At Riviera Therapy, we provide teen counseling for adolescents and young adults in Santa Barbara, CA. Our licensed therapists offer practical support, tools, and a safe place for teens to talk openly about what they’re going through.

Whether your teen is experiencing anxiety, depression, social pressure, self-esteem issues, or more serious concerns like self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or trauma, we can match them with a gifted counselor to help them find relief and move forward.

Teen counseling provides a safe space where adolescents can speak freely with a trained therapist – someone who understands the challenges teens face and offers support without judgment. We help teens and young adults work through concerns including:

We also support teens impacted by domestic violence, abuse, or mental health crises, including those needing additional support after a hospitalization or significant event.

We use a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches that are suited to the needs and goals of each teen. These include:

• Talk therapy including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for trauma and high-impact memories
• Family therapy to improve communication and resolve conflict
• Skills-based support to build emotional regulation and healthy coping tools

Every teenager is different. At Riviera Therapy, we offer access to different therapists with diverse backgrounds, training and areas of expertise. This gives us the ability to match your teen with a provider who is a good fit for their personality, needs, and goals – someone they can trust and feel comfortable with.

We provide both in-person teen counseling in Santa Barbara and secure online therapy sessions. Many teens and families appreciate the convenience and privacy of a video session, especially when managing busy schedules or long commutes.

Our online therapy services are available to clients throughout California and follow the same high standards of care as in-person counseling.

Through consistent, supportive sessions, teens can gain skills to manage stress, build healthy relationships, and feel more in control of their emotions and decisions. Counseling helps with:

• Building confidence and self-esteem
• Developing communication and coping skills
• Managing anxiety, panic, and stress
• Processing difficult thoughts and feelings
• Setting boundaries and making healthy choices
• Feeling less alone and more supported

Over time, many clients report feeling better able to handle challenges at school, at home, and in social settings.

We understand how hard it can be to watch your teen struggle. Our team works closely with parents to keep you informed and supported throughout the counseling process, while always respecting the privacy and trust we build with your child.

We also offer family therapy when helpful, which can improve relationships, reduce conflict, and open communication.

If your teen is struggling, talking to a therapist can help. Teen counseling is not just for crisis moments – it’s also a way to build long-term skills for emotional health, self-care, and resilience.

If you’re unsure where to begin or need help understanding your options, we’re here to guide you. We can also recommend additional support and treatment resources in the community if needed.

So if there’s a problem, contact us and tell us what’s going on. It’s the first step towards making things better.