TEEN THERAPY
IN DOVER, NH
This isn’t your traditional therapy session.
Therapy for teens who are carrying anxiety, school stress and questions about who they are, using music, art, and counseling to help them make sense of what they’re feeling and find their own way through it. Offered in Dover, NH, and throughout the Seacoast.
Therapy Can Help Your Teen
Understand what they’re feeling and why
Find calm when stress and anxiety build
Express what’s hard to
say out loud
When Your Teen Is Carrying More Than They Show
Are you noticing your teen pulling away and spending more time alone in their room, snapping over small things, or worrying about school and friendships in a way that keeps them up at night? You’re not alone, and needing extra support doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong as a parent. The teen years bring a lot of pressure all at once, and many teens feel far more than they’re ready to talk about, which can leave the whole family unsure of how to help.
At The Sonatina Center, our team brings music therapy, art therapy and licensed mental health counseling together under one roof. Many teens who don’t want to sit across from an adult and talk find it easier to open up when their hands are busy, and music and art give them a way to work through what they’re carrying while they have the full support of a clinical team.
If you’re wondering whether music therapy, art therapy, or counseling is the right fit for your teen, we’re happy to talk it through during your free call.
Does This Sound
Like Your Teen?
Every teen is different, but these are some of the signs parents tell us about most often:
Irritability or outbursts that feel much bigger than the moment
Constant worry about grades, friendships, or what other people think
Stomachaches or headaches without a clear cause
Struggling with who they are or where they fit in
Pulling away from friends, family, or activities they used to love
Saying things like “I’m not good at anything” or “nobody gets me”
Avoiding school or falling behind when they used to keep up
Changes in sleep, appetite, or mood that are hard to explain
If a few of these feel familiar, a free call is a good place to start.
How We Help
MUSIC THERAPY
Songwriting, drumming and making playlists that say what they can’t give teens a way to process stress and big emotions through music they already love. No musical experience is needed.
COUNSELING
Our counselors help teens build coping skills for anxiety, stress and low moods, using approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy in sessions where they feel heard and their privacy is respected.
ART THERAPY
Drawing, painting, collage and sculpting give teens a way to show what’s going on inside when talking feels like too much. The art becomes a starting point for conversations about stress, friendships, and identity.
PARENT SUPPORT
Parenting a teen who is struggling can feel lonely. We check in with you regularly and share ways to support your teen at home, while still giving them the space they need to open up in session.
Teen Therapy Can Help With…
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Teen therapy helps teens whose anxiety has started to run their days, from the racing thoughts at night and the panic before a test to the plans they cancel because going feels like too much.
Our therapists use evidence-based approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness, along with art and creative expression, to help teens understand their anxiety, build coping skills, and feel more in control.
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Teen therapy helps teens whose emotions seem to go from zero to a hundred, with the slammed doors, the shutting down, and the words they regret as soon as they’re said.
Our therapists help teens notice what sets them off, understand what’s underneath the reaction, and build strategies they can use at home, at school and with friends.
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Teen therapy helps teens who seem flat, tired or far away, who have lost interest in things they used to love, or who can’t explain why everything feels heavy.
Our therapists give teens a steady, private space to talk and create, helping them name what they’re feeling, reconnect with what matters to them, and find their way back to feeling more like themselves.
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Teen therapy helps teens who are trying to figure out who they are and where they fit, especially when it feels like everyone else already knows.
Our therapists offer a non-judgmental space to explore identity, values and what makes them unique, helping teens build a relationship with themselves that is confident, honest and kind.
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Teen therapy helps teens who are overwhelmed by school, whether it’s grades, pressure about the future, learning differences, or feeling like they don’t fit in.
Our therapists help teens manage stress, build confidence, and find a way through the school day with less anxiety and more ease.
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Teen therapy helps teens who are hurting from friendship drama, being left out, bullying in person or online, or the constant comparison that comes with social media.
Our therapists help teens work through feelings of hurt, shame or anger, rebuild their confidence, and learn to set boundaries and find friendships that feel safe.
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Teen therapy helps teens who have experienced trauma and carry it in ways that show up at school, at home and in their relationships.
Our therapists use trauma-informed approaches that create safety first, and we work at your teen’s pace, never pushing them to talk about what happened before they’re ready.
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Teen therapy helps teens who are grieving a person, a pet, a friendship, or a family that looks different after a divorce or a move.
Grief doesn’t follow a schedule, and teens often hide it to protect the people around them. Our therapists give them room to feel what they feel without rushing them toward an ending.
Meet Our Teen Therapists
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![Elisha Rivera, MT-BC, music therapist at The Sonatina Center]()
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![Kat Sturdevant, CMHC, ATR, art therapist at The Sonatina Center]()
Kat Sturdevant, CMHC, ATR
(She/Her)
Candidate for Clinical Mental Health Counseling License
Registered Art Therapist
Getting Started is Free
Every new client starts with a free 20-minute phone call. Our Intake Coordinator will walk you through our process and policies and learn a little about your teen, so together you can decide whether music therapy, art therapy, or counseling is the best fit. It’s also a chance to ask any questions you have before getting started.
What To Expect
WHERE: Sessions take place at The Sonatina Center in Dover, NH, with music therapy, art therapy, and counseling for preteens and teens ages 10–18.
YOUR FIRST VISIT: A 60-minute intake session where your teen’s therapist gets to know them, completes an initial assessment, and reviews goals with both of you. We’ll also talk with you about how we’ll keep you informed while respecting your teen’s privacy in session.
CHECKING IN: We review progress and goals with you every 90 days, or sooner if needed.
INVESTMENT: Rates vary by service and are reviewed each year, and you’ll always hear about any changes ahead of time. View our current service rates here.
Scholarships & Accessibility
Free Sessions for BIPOC Clients
The Sonatina Center is committed to bridging the gap of accessibility for the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color community. We offer free individual music therapy, art therapy, and counseling sessions to BIPOC clients. We have 6 scholarship spots available at a time, and we keep a waiting list when they’re full. Please contact us for more information.
Using Your Insurance Benefits
Depending on your plan, you may be able to get part of the cost of sessions reimbursed through your out-of-network benefits. We provide a monthly superbill with the CPT codes and provider information your insurance company needs, so you can submit it directly. As a private-pay practice, we’re happy to walk you through how this works during your free call.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. Your teen’s therapist reviews goals with you from the first visit and checks in on progress every 90 days. Teens also need a space where they can speak freely, so we’ll talk with you and your teen about what stays between them and their therapist and what gets shared with you, including anything that affects their safety.
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You don’t need to know before reaching out. During your free 20-minute call, we’ll learn about your teen and help you choose the best fit.
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No. Sessions are built around your teen’s interests, and no experience is needed.
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Every teen is different. We review progress and goals with you every 90 days, so you’ll always know how things are going and what comes next.
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We’re a private-pay practice, and we provide a monthly superbill you can submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
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Sessions take place at The Sonatina Center in Dover, NH.
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That’s common, and it doesn’t mean therapy won’t help. Many teens who are hesitant about talking find it easier when their hands are busy with art or music. Your teen’s therapist will take time to build trust, and you’re welcome to talk through how to bring it up during your free call.
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We’re an outpatient practice and aren’t able to respond to emergencies. If your teen is in crisis, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, any time, or call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Ready To Take The First Step?
Your free 20-minute call is a chance to share what’s going on and ask any questions, with no pressure to commit.