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As a therapist in Pasadena working with teens and families throughout the San Gabriel Valley, I see firsthand how much pressure adolescents are navigating right now — academically, socially, and emotionally. The teenage years are already a time of rapid change and self-discovery. Add anxiety, OCD, trauma, or family stress into the mix, and it can feel overwhelming for everyone involved — teens and parents alike.

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I help self-aware, high-achieving teens who feel trapped by their anxiety, OCD, or trauma move through what's keeping them stuck — not just manage around it.

 

What I Help Teens With

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Every teen I work with is different, but many are dealing with one or more of the following:

• Anxiety, overthinking, and chronic worry

• OCD and intrusive thoughts

• Depression and persistent low mood

• Academic pressure and perfectionism

• Identity questions, including gender and sexuality

• Family conflict and communication breakdowns

• Social anxiety and peer relationship challenges

• Trauma, grief, or significant life changes

• Low self-esteem and self-confidence

• Stress and emotional dysregulation

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How I Work With Teens

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My approach with teens is active, warm, and collaborative. I don't just listen — I work with your teen to understand what's driving their struggles and build real, practical skills for managing them.

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For teens dealing with OCD and anxiety, I use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) — the gold-standard, evidence-based treatment that helps break the cycle of intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. For teens carrying trauma or feeling emotionally stuck, I draw on Brainspotting and somatic approaches that go beyond talk therapy to address what's stored in the body and nervous system. For teens navigating identity, relationships, and family dynamics, I integrate Internal Family Systems (IFS), CBT, and mindfulness-based approaches depending on what fits best.

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 Working With Parents

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I work closely with parents throughout the process. You'll have a clear picture of how therapy is progressing, what we're working on, and how to support your teen at home — without compromising the confidential space your teen needs to open up. Parent involvement looks different for every family, and we'll find the right balance together.

 

Why Teens in Pasadena & the San Gabriel Valley Come to Me

 

Pasadena and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley — including South Pasadena, San Marino, Arcadia, La Cañada Flintridge, Altadena, Sierra Madre, and Monrovia — are high-achieving communities. The academic pressure on teens here, particularly from competitive high schools and college preparation culture, is real and often underestimated. Many of the teens I work with are capable, self-aware young people who know something is wrong but haven't been able to break the pattern on their own.

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I offer in-person therapy at my Pasadena office and secure telehealth for teens anywhere in California — making it easy to stay consistent even during busy school schedules, sports seasons, or family travel.

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Is Therapy Right for Your Teen?

You might be considering therapy if your teen is:

• Struggling with anxiety or OCD that's affecting school, friendships, or daily life

• Withdrawing from family or activities they used to enjoy

• Showing signs of depression, irritability, or emotional outbursts

• Dealing with a difficult transition — a new school, a breakup, a loss, or a family change

• High-achieving on the outside but quietly struggling on the inside

• Asking for help themselves, or resistant to the idea but clearly not okay

 

Reaching out doesn't mean something is seriously wrong — it means you're paying attention. A free 20-minute consultation is a low-pressure way to ask questions and find out whether we're a good fit before committing to anything.

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About Matt Herrera — Teen Therapist in Pasadena, CA

 

 I'm Matt Herrera, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #136003) based in Pasadena, California, supervised by Lisa Jellison, M.A., LMFT #46430 and Jennifer Bearden, M.A., LCSW #22781 at The Feeling Space. I'm an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist and work with teens from all backgrounds, identities, and family structures.

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My advanced training includes Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD through CBT School, Brainspotting with David Grand, and Complex Trauma through the Trauma Therapist Institute — approaches that go deeper than generic talk therapy and produce real, lasting results for teens who've already tried the standard approach and found it lacking.

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Get Started With a Free Consultation

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If your teen is struggling — or if you're a teen reading this yourself — I'd be glad to talk. I offer a free 20-minute consultation to answer your questions, learn more about what's going on, and help you figure out whether we're the right fit.

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I see teens in person at my Pasadena office and via secure telehealth anywhere in California.

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