Teen Therapy in Denver
Helping Teens Build Confidence, Resilience, and Emotional Well-Being
Watching your teenager struggle — with anxiety, big emotions, school pressure, or just the overwhelming weight of growing up — can leave you feeling helpless. You want to reach them, but the eye rolls, the closed doors, and the silence can make it feel impossible. You are not failing as a parent, and your teen is not broken. Sometimes the best thing you can do is connect them with a specialized teen therapist in Denver who truly understands the adolescent experience.
At Mountainside Behavioral Health, we provide expert teen therapy in Denver grounded in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) — two of the most researched and effective therapeutic approaches for adolescents. As a female-owned practice rooted in the Denver community, we are passionate about helping young people feel seen, heard, and empowered to build the life they want.
Why Specialized Teen Therapy Matters
Adolescence is one of the most complex developmental stages a person will ever navigate. The teenage brain is still developing — particularly the prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. That means teens experience emotions more intensely than adults, yet have fewer tools to manage them.
Teen mental health in Denver and across Colorado has become an urgent concern. Rates of adolescent anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal ideation have risen sharply in recent years. A therapist who specializes in working with teens understands that adolescent therapy requires a different approach than adult therapy. Teens communicate differently, process emotions differently, and need a therapeutic relationship built on genuine trust — not authority.
At Mountainside Behavioral Health, our clinicians are specifically trained in evidence-based treatments designed for young people. We don’t simply adapt adult therapy techniques — we use modalities that are built for the adolescent mind, including DBT skills training and CBT for teens, to help your child develop real-world coping strategies they can use every day.
Common Issues We Help Teens Navigate
Every teenager’s experience is unique, but certain challenges show up again and again in our Denver teen counseling practice. Our team works with adolescents struggling with:
Anxiety and Depression
Persistent worry, social anxiety, panic attacks, low mood, hopelessness, and withdrawal from activities your teen once loved. These are among the most common reasons families seek adolescent therapy in Denver, and early intervention makes a meaningful difference.
Self-Harm and Suicidal Ideation
If your teen is engaging in self-harm or expressing thoughts of suicide, you need a therapist who is trained in crisis intervention and evidence-based safety planning. Every clinician at Mountainside is trained in brief suicide prevention and DBT-informed approaches to self-harm — therapies specifically designed to address these behaviors with compassion and skill.
Emotion Dysregulation
Explosive anger, intense mood swings, difficulty calming down after conflict — these are signs that your teen may be struggling with emotion dysregulation. DBT therapy is considered the gold standard for helping individuals learn to manage overwhelming emotions, and it is at the heart of our practice.
ADHD and Executive Functioning Challenges
Trouble focusing, disorganization, impulsivity, and academic struggles can erode a teen’s confidence and sense of self. Our therapists help teens with ADHD develop practical strategies for managing attention, time, and daily responsibilities — while also addressing the emotional toll that often accompanies ADHD.
Eating Disorders and Body Image
Adolescence brings intense pressure around appearance and identity. We provide compassionate, evidence-based support for teens navigating disordered eating, negative body image, and related mental health concerns.
School Stress, Social Pressure, and Identity
Academic pressure, bullying, friendship conflicts, identity exploration (including gender identity and sexual orientation), and the constant influence of social media — today’s teens are managing stressors that earlier generations never faced. Our affirming, inclusive approach means every young person who walks through our door is welcomed exactly as they are.
Our Approach to Teen Therapy in Denver
Mountainside Behavioral Health is not a one-size-fits-all practice. We draw on rigorous, evidence-based methods and tailor treatment to your teen’s specific needs, personality, and goals. Our core therapeutic approaches include:
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT was originally developed to treat emotion dysregulation and has an extensive evidence base for adolescents. It teaches four core skill sets — mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness — giving teens concrete tools to navigate intense feelings, communicate more effectively, and build a life worth living. DBT is a cornerstone of our practice and is embedded across our individual therapy, family sessions, and skills groups.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT for teens helps adolescents identify unhelpful thought patterns and replace them with more balanced, realistic thinking. It is one of the most well-researched treatments for teen anxiety and depression and is highly effective when delivered by a trained teen therapist in Denver who understands how to engage young clients.
Trauma-Informed Care
For teens who have experienced trauma — whether from abuse, loss, bullying, or other adverse experiences — our clinicians provide trauma-informed interventions that prioritize safety, trust, and empowerment. Our Clinical Director, Dr. Emily Biggs-Heisler, is trained in DBT-Prolonged Exposure (DBT-PE), an advanced approach for treating trauma alongside emotion dysregulation.
Teen DBT Skills Group: Building Skills Together as a Family
One of the most powerful offerings at Mountainside is our Multi-Family Teen DBT Skills Group, held every Monday from 5:00–7:00 PM. This 24-week program brings teens and their parents or caregivers together to learn DBT skills side by side.
Why does the multi-family format matter? Because when the whole family learns the same skills — mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness — everyone speaks the same language at home. Parents learn how to validate their teen’s emotions and coach them through difficult moments, while teens practice skills in a supportive group setting with peers who understand what they are going through.
The Teen DBT Skills Group is $150 per session. To learn more about our group offerings or check availability, visit our DBT Groups page or request a consultation.
How Parents Are Involved in Teen Therapy
We believe that supporting a teenager means supporting the whole family. At Mountainside, parents are an essential part of the therapeutic process — not as bystanders, but as active participants in their teen’s growth.
- Parent Training Sessions: We offer dedicated parent training sessions (45 minutes, $175–$200) to help you learn strategies for communicating with your teen, setting effective boundaries, responding to emotional crises, and reinforcing the skills your teen is learning in therapy.
- Multi-Family Skills Group: As described above, our Teen DBT Skills Group is designed so that parents attend alongside their teen, building shared skills and deeper connection.
- Family Therapy: For families navigating conflict, major transitions, or communication breakdowns, individual family therapy sessions provide a safe space to rebuild trust and understanding.
You do not have to figure this out alone. Our team will guide you every step of the way.
What to Expect From Teen Therapy at Mountainside
Starting therapy can feel intimidating — for both teens and parents. Here is what the process looks like at Mountainside Behavioral Health:
- Free Consultation: It all starts with a complimentary phone consultation. We will listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and help determine the best fit for your teen among our team of specialists.
- Intake Assessment: Your teen’s therapist will conduct a thorough intake to understand their history, strengths, challenges, and goals. This is collaborative — your teen’s voice matters in shaping their treatment plan.
- Individualized Treatment: Based on the assessment, we will create a tailored plan that may include individual therapy sessions (45 minutes, $175–$200), group skills training, parent sessions, or a combination.
- Ongoing Progress: Therapy is not a quick fix — it is a process. We regularly check in on progress, adjust goals, and celebrate growth along the way.
We are an out-of-network practice and provide superbills so you can seek reimbursement from your insurance provider.
Begin Your Healing Journey
Your teenager deserves a therapist who sees them — not just their symptoms, but the whole person underneath. At Mountainside Behavioral Health, we combine the warmth of a boutique Denver practice with the rigor of evidence-based treatment to help your adolescent build the skills, confidence, and resilience they need to thrive.
Request a Consultation — it’s free, and it’s the first step toward meaningful change.
Meet Our Teen Therapy Team
Our clinicians are not just therapists — they are specialists with deep training in the evidence-based approaches that work best for adolescents.
- Emily Biggs-Heisler, Ph.D. — Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Director & Co-Owner. Over a decade of intensive DBT and CBT training. Works with ages 12+ in individual, family, and couples therapy and leads DBT skills groups.
- Diana Huizar, Ph.D. — School Psychologist working with ages 11–24 and families. Dr. Huizar brings expertise in DBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Loving Kindness practices. She is bilingual in English and Spanish, making our teen counseling in Denver accessible to Spanish-speaking families. A former U.S. Marine, Dr. Huizar brings unique perspective, resilience, and dedication to every young person she works with.
- Audrey Fisher, LPC — Licensed Professional Counselor trained in DBT, CBT, and trauma-informed interventions. Works with ages 13+ and brings specialized experience in substance use treatment and athlete mental performance.
- Anabelle Brecker, LCSW — Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Co-Owner. Trained in DBT, CBT, and suicide prevention. Works with ages 15+ in individual therapy and DBT skills groups.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teen Therapy in Denver
What age does your practice work with for teen therapy?
Our adolescent therapy services begin as young as age 11, depending on the therapist. Dr. Diana Huizar works with ages 11–24, Dr. Emily Biggs-Heisler with ages 12+, Audrey Fisher with ages 13+, and Anabelle Brecker with ages 15+. During your free consultation, we will match your teen with the clinician who is the best fit for their age, concerns, and personality.
Do you accept insurance for teen counseling in Denver?
Mountainside Behavioral Health is an out-of-network provider. We do not bill insurance directly, but we provide superbills after each session that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. Many families find they receive partial reimbursement through their out-of-network benefits.
What is the difference between individual teen therapy and the DBT Skills Group?
Individual therapy provides one-on-one time between your teen and their therapist to work through personal challenges, process emotions, and build coping strategies. The Teen DBT Skills Group is a structured, 24-week multi-family program where teens and parents learn DBT skills together in a group setting. Many of our clients benefit from participating in both simultaneously — individual therapy for deeper personal work and group for skill-building and peer support.
How do I know if my teen needs therapy?
Some signs that your teenager may benefit from working with a teen therapist in Denver include persistent sadness or irritability, withdrawal from friends or activities, declining academic performance, changes in sleep or appetite, self-harm, expressions of hopelessness, or difficulty managing emotions. If you are unsure, our free consultation is a great place to start — there is no pressure, and we can help you figure out the best next step.
Do you offer therapy in Spanish for teens?
Yes. Dr. Diana Huizar is bilingual in English and Spanish and provides teen therapy and family sessions in both languages. We are committed to making quality adolescent mental health care accessible to Denver’s diverse communities.
Can I attend therapy sessions with my teen?
Absolutely. Parent involvement is a key part of our approach. In addition to the Multi-Family DBT Skills Group, we offer parent training sessions and family therapy. The level of parent involvement in individual sessions is determined collaboratively between your teen, their therapist, and you — always with your teen’s comfort and therapeutic progress in mind.
Take the First Step Today
You do not have to wait until things get worse. Whether your teen is navigating anxiety, depression, self-harm, identity questions, or emotions that feel too big to handle, our team of specialized teen therapists in Denver is here to help — with compassion, expertise, and a genuine commitment to your family’s well-being. Request a Free Consultation and let us walk alongside you and your teen on the path to healing.