Teen Therapy in Somerville, MA: Support for ADHD and Anxiety
By Caleb Brooks, LICSW | Clinical Director, Keystone Counseling
A teenager can have ideas, talent, and ambition—and still struggle to start homework, manage deadlines, or walk into school without worry.
For families seeking teen therapy in Somerville, MA, understanding both ADHD and anxiety is an important starting point. The goal is to understand what gets in the way and build practical skills that help your teen move forward.
Is it ADHD, anxiety, or both?
Difficulty concentrating does not always have one explanation. A teen may struggle to organize an assignment, worry about getting it wrong, or experience both. A careful evaluation considers attention, emotional health, sleep, learning needs, and functioning across settings. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening for anxiety and other coexisting conditions when evaluating ADHD. (Wolraich et al., 2019)
In therapy, I want to understand the experience behind the behavior:
• Is starting the hardest part?
• Does fear of mistakes lead to avoidance?
• Are reminders turning into arguments?
• What helps your teen feel capable?
These questions help us choose useful goals together.
What can adolescent ADHD therapy address?
My approach emphasizes manageable steps and skills teens can practice between sessions. Goals might include breaking down assignments, planning ahead, recognizing overwhelm, and asking for help.
Research supports considering cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, within adolescent ADHD care. In a randomized trial involving 46 adolescents taking ADHD medication, those receiving CBT showed greater improvement in persistent ADHD symptoms than those waiting for treatment. This supports CBT as an additional option; it does not establish that every teen will respond the same way. (Sprich et al., 2016)
A practical starting goal might be: “Open the assignment and complete the first question.” Progress begins with a step your teen can repeat.
How can therapy help with teen anxiety?
For anxiety, we can work on recognizing worried predictions, developing more balanced responses, and gradually approaching situations your teen has been avoiding.
CBT has substantial research support for anxiety in children and adolescents. A Cochrane review of 87 studies found that CBT probably improves recovery from anxiety disorders compared with waiting lists or no treatment. Evidence comparing CBT with other treatments was less certain. (James et al., 2020)
My aim is to help teens feel supported while building confidence in their ability to handle difficult moments.
Appreciating Powderhouse’s nontraditional approach
Somerville families have different educational needs. I appreciate learning environments that take young people’s interests seriously and recognize that one classroom model will not fit everyone.
Powderhouse Studios, near Davis and Porter Squares, describes a nontraditional lab school built around student interests, meaningful projects, collaborative planning, and reflection. That emphasis on helping young people pursue work they care about deserves recognition.
In my work, I have heard positive feedback about the reassurance and encouragement students experience at Powderhouse. I value that sense of being understood while learning to take the next step.
School support and therapy can serve complementary roles: one supports learning and participation; the other provides space to address emotional challenges and practice coping skills.
Teen counseling for Somerville families
At Keystone Counseling, my focus is helping teens and families understand their challenges and develop realistic next steps. Whether the concern is ADHD, anxiety, school stress, or difficulty getting started, we begin with your teen’s needs and strengths.
Looking for teen ADHD therapy or anxiety counseling serving Somerville, MA?
Select Request Appointment to ask about clinician fit, telehealth, insurance, and current availability. Parents, caregivers, pediatricians, and school professionals can inquire about referral options.
Academic references
Sprich, S. E., et al. (2016). A randomized controlled trial of cognitive behavioral therapy for ADHD in medication-treated adolescents. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 57(11), 1218–1226.
James, A. C., et al. (2020). Cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CD013162.
Wolraich, M. L., et al. (2019). Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents. Pediatrics, 144(4), e20192528.
General education; individualized assessment guides treatment.