Smith Canyon Counseling

One minute things seem fine, and the next, your tween or teen is pulling away, snapping over small things, or lying awake at night worrying about friendships, school, or social pressure. You may notice their confidence fading, their spark dimming, and their stress building, and it hurts to watch. You find yourself asking: Is this normal? Should I step in…or give them space? Am I doing enough? You care deeply about their self-esteem, their safety, and the choices they’re making. And yet, despite how hard you’re trying, you might feel frustrated, powerless, or even guilty that you can’t fix it for them. At the same time, your child’s struggles can stir something in you, too. Old memories of friendship struggles, bullying, or not fitting in may resurface: the hurt, the shame, the longing to belong. Supporting your child while navigating your own emotional reactions can feel overwhelming, confusing, and heavy. You don’t have to figure this out alone. I help tweens and teens build confidence, navigate peer pressure, form healthy friendships, and find their voice. And just as importantly, I support parents by offering a space to process their own experiences, reconnect with themselves, and feel more grounded and confident in how they show up for their child. About Me I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Wyoming and Idaho with a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology and 16 years of experience as a K–12 school counselor. I’ve walked alongside countless tweens, teens, and their families through the ups and downs of friendships, social challenges, and growing up. My approach blends real-world experience, empathy, and practical, evidence-informed tools to help kids feel more secure in who they are and how they relate to others, while helping parents set boundaries, heal old wounds, and feel more connected and confident. Reading this far shows how much you care about your child. If you’re not sure you’re ready to take the next step, that’s okay. We can schedule a no-pressure consultation to talk through what’s going on.