TEEN & CHILD THERAPY FOR BOYS IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

Every child deserves space that is just for them.

Here, your son will feel seen, supported, and respected.

You feel like you’ve tried everything in the book to help your son, but you don’t know where to turn next.

You see restlessness, anxiety, and unpredictable meltdowns coming from your son, and you’re concerned. In your efforts to help, you find yourself tangled up in deep pain, doubt in yourself, and uncertainty about your son’s future. You find yourself correcting him or pointlessly arguing, making you both feel even less connected. 

You’re questioning your ability to parent and scared about what the future holds. It feels like something else is going on that’s making your son unhappy, but no one—not even other therapists—has been able to truly figure it out. I understand the urgency you feel and the desire for some sort of direction so you can help him. 

I can sense the weight on your shoulders and I understand this deep concern that keeps you up at night — discouraged and worried about why your son or teen son is struggling. You’re eager to find someone trustworthy and experienced who can offer real insight and solutions, not just someone who will tell you “he’ll grow out of it” or slap on another band-aid.

My Approach

My approach to working with boys & teen boys means I enter into their world, rather than asking them to enter into mine.

Using play therapy, I can delve into their world as they show me their struggles and allow me to see things through their eyes. It's not about lectures or instructions here—it's about creating a safe and enjoyable space for them to express what's really going on beneath the surface. Through play and drawings, they can explore their feelings and find empowering solutions, all while feeling supported by a caring adult who is fully present and attuned to their needs. 

With teenagers, our conversations might seem informal, but they’re incredibly impactful. I provide a listening ear, validation, and genuine support, which encourages them to open up about their insecurities and challenges. Their willingness to be open often leads to shifts in their perspective and behavior as they feel understood and empowered to make positive changes in their lives.

Some of the boys and teen boys I’ve worked with have said things like…

  • “Dr. F doesn’t judge me”

  • “What we talk about stays between Dr. F and I”

  • “I can be scared or confused about my future and I can still be okay”

  • “After I see Dr. F I feel better on the inside”

  • “He doesn’t act like my parent”

  • “Dr. F feels safe to talk to”

Therapy with me sounds like…

“No one is perfect, and you're going to make a lot of mistakes”

“You need to learn from your mistakes or you will keep making the same mistakes”

 “It’s okay to be upset when you make mistakes, but just for a little while”

“Your feelings and reactions are okay, it’s what you do with them that counts”

“You can figure out what you really want and how to get there”

“There's no point in feeling bad or ashamed for more than a few minutes”

“Let’s just learn our lesson and figure out what to do better next time”

 “Let’s help you learn how to trust and communicate better with adults”

“Sometimes adults can't hear you or understand why you are upset, so we have to learn how to take a break and talk about it later when everybody is calm”

ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY

Interacting with animals offers young boys and teen boys emotional support in a gentle, encouraging way.

I have used therapy dogs in my practice for over 30 years and my wife and I, Dr. Vera Gabliani, are now training our 4th service dog. Like many parents, we have faced our share of heartache and adjustment, especially with the sudden retirement of our 3rd therapy dog, Grace, and the introduction of our newest addition, Miss Grit. 

This experience has given me a profound admiration and compassion for the underlying grief, helplessness, and hopelessness that parents often face. I understand the fears, disappointments, and frustrations that are coupled with the expectations, hopes, and dreams they hold for their children. I am very aware and deeply committed to understanding and supporting the struggles and healing of both parents and children alike.

Because Miss Grit is currently in training, she is unavailable for sessions with my clients, but I hope to have her available soon. Just as Miss Grit navigates her own challenges of super sensitivity and noise phobias, I recognize the ongoing hurdles families routinely encounter in seeking support and guidance for themselves and their children. Teaching Miss Grit to feel safe and relaxed amidst the chaos of our office mirrors the journey many families are undertaking in finding peace and supportive solutions in their own daily lives. I look forward to introducing Miss Grit to you and your son and having her available as part of my office experience.

It’s time to stop shopping around. You’ve found someone who can really understand and help.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Requesting an evaluation via email for your son is the first step in the process. Learn more here.

  • Your involvement is important, and we’ll touch base at least every 3 months. However, the details of what I talk about with your son will be confidential, as I do not want to break their trust. It’s especially difficult to connect with boys and teen boys and develop trust if they worry I will tell their parents everything that happened during sessions.

  • No, I never concurrently work individually with boys or teen boys and their parents at the same time. This arrangement often creates trust and treatment issues. If you’re looking for parent-specific counseling, click here.

  • I provide support for a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, family conflicts, academic stress, self-esteem, social skills, autism spectrum concerns, and more. The goal is to create a safe space for them to express themselves and work through whatever challenges they face in an age-appropriate way that is both empowering and validating.