Gillian Scharf, LPC, CCATP, CSOTP

I am here to provide a space for my clients to let it all out; a space to be themselves. I create a place where they will be challenged to connect. I will teach them how to be more open with others and themselves.

Your child is smart and capable. They have always come to you and you never wondered what they were thinking. Things seemed so easy until now.​Recently, though, things have been different - they are closed off, distant and doesn't share as much as they did before. You want them to open up again, but it seems like they don't want to.

I work with preteens and teens who seem to prefer to shut down than communicate with the adults in their lives. I want to support them, educate them and remind them of the importance of openness. This strange new distance between you and your child does not have to be forever. Working with me gives my clients a chance to unload what they feel is burdening them. This makes them a lighter, happier version of themselves for the people in their lives.

Parents of my previous clients have told me that I have made their more resistant teenager at least tolerate therapy (a rare compliment from a teenager!). In my work with teenagers (and in my personal experience as a former teenage girl), I have learned how important it is to develop trust. I take the time to get to know your child and to fully understand the best ways to help them.

I have been working with teenagers since I started therapeutic work. I have attended multiple trainings and events relating to how to best address the issues teenagers face today. This includes issues relating to interpersonal relationships, self-esteem, social media use and effective communication. My certifications include an Anxiety Treatment Provider, which required extensive training in understanding the symptomology and treatment of anxiety in all ages. I have also attended trainings in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which is a common therapeutic orientation that can be applied to many different mental health issues.