Psychotherapy for Adolescents and Families

With a doctorate in clinical, developmental psychology and dedicated training in child, adolescent, and family psychotherapy, Dr. Milano has specialized in the treatment of children, adolescents, and families for 30 years.  These settings have included the schools, hospitals and residential treatment centers, intensive community treatment programs, and private practice.  Dr. Milano enjoys helping adolescents explore new ways of seeing themselves and operating in the world so that they experience greater self-acceptance and feelings of competency, more harmonious relationships, and a belief in their unique strengths and gifts.  Parents are helped to expand their repertoire of parenting skills, better understand their adolescent's needs, and develop effective ways to communicate, guide, and nurture them through various developmental stages. 

Working with adolescents typically involves a combination of individual and family sessions as best suited to the client and their family.  Family therapy allows for a fuller understanding of each family member's unique experience in order to facilitate healing and develop new ways of interacting with one another.  It is important that the adolescent be permitted private time to work with the psychologist.   This allows them a safe space in which to explore their issues and identify possible solutions that empower them.  The adolescent often requires more individual time as they are in a developmental phase of separation and individuation.   The flexible involvement of parents as they allow their children space, take part in family sessions, or participate in parenting sessions is critical to the success of the therapy. 

Dr. Milano offers psychotherapy with adolescent, and families to address the following areas:

• School Concerns
• Mental Health Issues
• Behavioral Problems
• Family Disruption
• Divorce, Loss, Grief
• Child Maltreatment
• Identity and Self-Esteem
• Peer Relationship Difficulties
• Self-Destructive Behavior