Teen Therapy in Alexandria VA
Adolescence is supposed to be difficult in places. What parents usually notice is something narrower — the withdrawal that has lasted a term rather than a fortnight, the grades that dropped without explanation, the friend group that quietly disappeared.
Life Enrichment Counseling Center provides therapy for teenagers in Alexandria, VA, in person near Old Town and by secure video anywhere in the Commonwealth.
When to consider therapy for a teenager
- Withdrawal from friends, family, or activities they used to care about
- A drop in grades or attendance that has no obvious cause
- Anxiety about school, performance, or social situations that has started shaping choices
- Irritability or anger that is out of proportion and lasting
- Sleep that has changed markedly, in either direction
- Low self-esteem, harsh self-criticism, or perfectionism
- Conflict at home that has become the normal register of conversation
- Grief, a family change, or a move they have not been able to talk about
If you are worried about self-harm or suicide, do not wait for an appointment — call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or go to your nearest emergency room.
How we work with teenagers
The work belongs to the teenager. That means a clear conversation early on about what stays between them and their therapist, so the room is worth being honest in — with the firm exception of anything involving their safety.
- Talk therapy — see talk therapy for how this usually goes.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy — the best-evidenced approach for teenage anxiety and low mood.
- Art therapy and music therapy — for teenagers who get further approaching something sideways than head-on.
- Family sessions where they help — sometimes the fastest change is in how the household responds, not in the teenager.
Insurance and fees
Life Enrichment Counseling Center is a participating provider with all Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and HMO plans, including Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem, and CareFirst. Cigna, Aetna, and Optum are accepted by select therapists, so coverage can depend on which clinician you see — tell us your plan when you reach out and we will match you with someone in network.
Verifying benefits is ultimately the client’s responsibility, but our office staff will check them for you as a courtesy. Sessions run 35 to 60 minutes. Full details are on our costs and payments page.
Getting started in Alexandria
Our Alexandria office is at 3307 Duke St, Alexandria, VA 22314, a short drive from Old Town, and we also see clients from Falls Church, Springfield, Annandale, Arlington, Fairfax, and Washington, D.C. Every clinician offers secure video sessions as well, so you can start online and move in person later — or stay online.
Call (703) 879-6947, request an appointment online, or email info@leccinc.com. Tell us what is going on and our staff will match you with the right clinician — you can see the whole team on our therapists page or read about the Alexandria office.
Frequently asked questions
My teenager does not want to come. What now?
Very common, and not a reason to give up. Some teenagers agree to a single session with no commitment beyond it. Where they refuse entirely, parents coming on their own still changes things — and often makes the teenager willing later.
Will the therapist tell me what my teenager says?
Therapy works for teenagers because it is theirs. Your therapist will set out at the start what stays private and what does not — safety concerns are always shared with parents. Expect updates on how the work is going rather than session transcripts.
How is teen therapy different from therapy for younger children?
The work shifts toward independence: teenagers build their own systems and language for what they are dealing with, rather than adults managing around them. Sessions look more like adult therapy, often with parents joining periodically.
What kinds of therapy do you use with teenagers?
Talk therapy is the most common, and we also offer art therapy and music therapy — both useful for teenagers who find it easier to work sideways into a subject than to talk about it directly.
Do you offer sessions after school?
Availability varies by clinician and fills quickly during after-school hours. Call the Alexandria office at (703) 879-6947 and ask — our staff can tell you who currently has those slots.
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