Today, more than ever, adolescence is an extremely difficult time for teens as well as their families, teachers, and any other individuals involved in their lives. In California alone, an estimated 4,801,547 adolescents have severe emotional disturbances (National Mental Health Information Center). Sadly, many of these adolescents will not receive adequate treatment and will become a part of the 25,669,642 adults suffering with similar emotional problems.

The majority of adolescents struggle with issues pertaining to motivation, identity formation, body image, self-esteem, social acceptance, academics, emotional fulfillment from others, and control over their lives and futures.

With the trend toward development at earlier ages, and with mature information freely being passed through streams of media, such as the uncensored Internet, I have found that adolescents are becoming increasingly more receptive and appreciative of adult topics, information, and conversations.

My philosophy is that teens need to be essentially armed with an educational "tool belt" of coping mechanisms, life interventions, and solutions for the challenges they face now and in their future. With this knowledge, teens can be taught how to take control of their lives, elevate their moods, reduce depression and anxiety, foster intrinsic motivation, increase academic performance and become more self-reliant rather than dependent on friends, family, and others for their own emotional needs.

From both personal and professional experience, providing teens access to the tools I teach lends for a less turbulent adolescence and a smoother, more confident transition into adulthood.