Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Teens in Upper West Side, NY
High school in NYC piles it on—grades, friends, activities, screens, and a pace that rarely slows. When worry takes over, mood dips, or avoidance starts shrinking a teen’s world, CBT offers practical tools that fit a real schedule. At Gordon Therapy Group, sessions are focused and collaborative: your teen helps set goals, practices skills in session, and tries small experiments during the week so change shows up in daily life.
Who We Help
CBT is a strong match for when persistent worry and rumination are impacting a teen’s ability to function at their peak. This can include difficulty with sleep, focus in school, socializing or public speaking. CBT is also effective for targeting OCD loops like reassurance seeking, mental rituals, compulsive checking or avoidance.
How the Work Feels
We map the patterns—how thoughts, feelings, and actions feed each other—then test small shifts your teen can actually do between classes, practices, and homework.
For anxiety and OCD, we use exposure and response prevention with planned, stepwise practices (no surprise heroics). Your teen will gradually face their fears at a pace that feels comfortable for them, gaining skills to manage anxiety along the way.
For mood, we lean on behavioral activation—tiny, meaningful actions that help improve mood, energy levels and motivation.
We also help teens develop planning and time-management skills and introduce sleep routines to improve sleep and daily functioning.
Our Approach
Teens engage when therapy feels useful and respects their autonomy. Together we agree on clear targets, choose one or two small practices per week, and check what changed rather than guessing. Progress is tracked in ways everyone can see—less avoidance, smoother mornings, calmer moods and more time with friends. All treatment is supervised by Tamar Gordon, PhD (20+ years in CBT) so you always know your child is getting expert attention.
Parent Involvement
Parents want to help; teens want independence. We balance both. You’ll get brief coaching and clear roles so support at home aligns with session goals—without turning every evening into therapy.
We’re also clear from day one about privacy and the safety exceptions.
School Collaboration
If symptoms are most pronounced at school, we bring skills there. With consent, we share practical recommendations with counselors or teachers, align on attendance plans when avoidance has occurred, and suggest testing or workload adjustments that match the CBT plan. The aim is simple: strategies that work in the place your teen spends most of the day.
In-Person on the UWS & Secure Telehealth (NY, NJ, CT)
Format should serve consistency. Many teens do best with a hybrid approach—telehealth during busy weeks, in-person visits when hands-on coaching helps. Our office is near Central Park by the 1/2/3 and B/C lines; telehealth is HIPAA-secure anywhere in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut. For video-visit details, our online therapy page explains how sessions run smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are parents involved?
We aim to balance maintaining trust with your teen and respecting their privacy, while also updating and collaborating with parents as needed. We typically meet with parents via telehealth every few weeks to give updates, get feedback, and provide guidance on how best to handle difficult situations with your teen.
What if my teen doesn’t want to talk?
It is normal for teens to be ambivalent about starting treatment, especially if it was suggested by their parents. However, if after a few sessions they are still not engaged, we may switch to parent work. Each family is different, and we meet your teen where they are to help them move forward.
How long before we see changes?
It varies. Many research protocols are 12-16 sessions, so we expect to see some improvement in that time frame. However, every family and child is different, and how long we work together will depend on your teen’s individualized treatment plan
Do you coordinate with psychiatrists or schools?
With consent, yes. Collaboration helps therapy have an impact where it’s needed—in classrooms, home routines, and medication plans.
Start with one conversation.
We’ll map goals and choose a couple of steps your teen can try this week—on the Upper West Side or via secure video. Call (917) 972-5671 or request an appointment.
Location
241 Central Park W # 1D, New York, NY 10024
Phone: (917) 972-5671
Email: info@gordontherapygroup.com
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday: 9 AM – 6 PM
Saturday – Sunday: Closed