Therapy for Teens in Edina

Being a teenager is complex.

It is full of emotional intensity, identity exploration, and the pressure to navigate an ever-changing world.

As a parent or guardian you might be thinking something like my kid isn’t themselves anymore, I think there is more beneath the surface, they are questioning their identity and I don’t want to mess this up or I just want my kid to be okay. This is where I am here to help.

Kindred Quest Therapy offers a space where adolescents can slow down, breathe, and be authentically themselves without judgment or expectation. Sessions blend traditional talk therapy with expressive tools and emotional regulation strategies that help bridge awareness with real-world coping.

Teens are treated as experts of their own experiences. Therapy is collaborative and respectful, empowering them to clarify values, strengthen emotional intelligence, and build a more confident sense of self.

I work with teens to . . .

• Increase emotional expression and self-understanding.
• Build self-regulation skills.
• Process traumatic events.
• Decrease stress from life transitions (divorce, moves, loss).
• Decrease anxious feelings.
• Develop problem-solving abilities.
• Strengthen self-esteem and confidence.
• Improve relationships with self, friends, and family.

Not every teen feels comfortable opening up with words, and that’s okay! Expressive arts therapy offers alternative ways to communicate through art, sandtray, creative activities, and experiential tools that feel more natural and less pressured than traditional talk therapy. These approaches help teens safely express emotions, process experiences, and build insight without having to explain everything out loud.

By engaging creativity, expressive therapy can reduce defensiveness, increase emotional awareness, and support regulation which often starts the quest to meaningful change before a teen has to “find the right words.”

Learn more about how I work with silent teens in therapy at The Quest blog.

Parent and Family Support

Parents play an important, supportive role for teens in therapy. While sessions are primarily a confidential space for teens, I collaborate with parents through periodic check-ins to share themes, growth areas, and practical ways to support progress at home without breaking trust. This balanced approach helps teens feel respected and autonomous while ensuring caregivers stay informed, grounded, and connected in the journey.

Eric Norton, MA, LMFT, RPT is a licensed therapist with advanced training in working with teens to bridge their creativity and competence to help them develop insight, emotional strength, and a deeper connection to who they are becoming. Eric is licensed in Minnesota and provides in-person appointments in Edina, MN.