Back to School, Back to Therapy: Supporting Kids and Teens at Mountains Therapy in Montclair, NJ

Learn more about Child and Teen Therapy in Montclair, NJ.

In this blog, you’ll learn:

✅ The emotional signs your child or teen may benefit from therapy

✅ Common myths about therapy for school-aged youth

✅ Coping strategies to ease back-to-school stress

✅ How therapy helps with school transitions and academic pressure

✅ The types of evidence-based treatments we use at Mountains Therapy

✅ FAQs about working with a therapist for teens

The back-to-school season often comes with a lot of emotions—nervous anticipation, renewed social pressures, social anxiety, changes in routine, academic expectations, and performance anxiety. For many kids and teens, this time of year can spark anxiety, stress, or a resurgence of emotional challenges or behavioral issues.

At Mountains Therapy in Montclair, NJ, we believe this is also the perfect time to prioritize mental health by resuming or starting therapy. Whether your child is beginning a new school year or transitioning into middle or high school, therapy can offer crucial support and tools for a successful and emotionally healthy school year.

Meet the Therapists Supporting Kids & Teens for the Back‑to‑School Transition

At Mountains Therapy in Montclair, NJ, our skilled therapists bring warmth, expertise, and a deep commitment to supporting adolescents as they navigate back‑to‑school stress and emotional growth.

🌿 Sam Chong, LMSW

Sam is a calm, grounded presence known for helping teens manage anxiety, academic overwhelm, perfectionism, and peer relationships. With a blend of CBT, DBT, and mindfulness-based techniques, Sam empowers young clients to build resilience, strengthen emotional regulation, and gain confidence in their ability to handle school pressures. Sam is currently welcoming new clients at Mountains Therapy.

Watch Sam's intro video here.

child therapist montcliar nj adriana pacini

🌿 Adriana Pacini, LCSW

Adriana brings a deeply affirming, empathetic approach that resonates with teens facing identity questions, friendship dynamics, and emotional fluctuations. She skillfully integrates Narrative Therapy, Attachment-Based interventions, and trauma-informed care to help youth feel seen, understood, and emotionally supported. Adriana’s presence in the therapeutic space creates a safe environment for teens starting a new school year.

Watch Adriana's intro video here.

Why They’re an Excellent Fit for Back‑to‑School Support

Evidence-based skills
Both therapists use techniques tailored to teens’ developmental needs—from thought reframing and emotional regulation to identity empowerment and coping strategies.
Warm, teen‑centered approach
Sam and Adriana emphasize active listening, validation, and building a therapeutic relationship grounded in trust.
Holistic vision
Their clinical styles consider the full context—academic demands, social dynamics, family factors, and emotional well‑being.

How Therapy Helps Teens During the Back-to-School Season

1. School Anxiety or Overwhelm

Therapists like Sam and Adriana use techniques such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and mindfulness to help teens manage test anxiety, social pressures, and the stress of adjusting to new routines. These tools help teens feel more grounded and focused.

2. Peer & Family Relationships

Whether it’s friendship drama or tension at home, therapy can strengthen relationship skills. Attachment-based strategies promote healthier communication, clearer boundaries, and more emotional safety in relationships.

3. Emotional Regulation

Teens often experience intense emotions, especially during times of change. DBT-based skills and trauma-informed care help them better understand, express, and regulate their feelings so they don’t feel overwhelmed.

4. Self-Esteem & Identity Building

Adolescence is a time of self-discovery. Narrative therapy helps teens explore and rewrite the stories they tell themselves, allowing them to build a stronger sense of identity, purpose, and self-worth.

Whether your teen is entering a new grade, switching schools, or simply adjusting to the rhythms of school life again, Sam and Adriana offer compassionate, specialized support to help them thrive.

Signs Your Child or Teen Might Benefit From Therapy This School Year

Increased irritability, mood swings, or emotional outbursts
Avoidance of school or complaints of physical symptoms (e.g., stomachaches, headaches)
Difficulty concentrating, completing homework, or staying organized
Withdrawal from friends or previously enjoyed activities
Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy levels

Myths vs. Facts: Back-to-School Therapy

Myth: Kids should only go to therapy when something is seriously wrong.

Fact: Therapy is a proactive tool that helps build coping skills, self-esteem, and emotional resilience.

Myth: Talking about problems will make my child dwell on them more.

Fact: Validating and processing emotions in a safe space helps children manage them more effectively.

Myth: Therapy means my child is weak or can’t handle school.

Fact: Seeking therapy is a strength—it shows a willingness to grow and get support.

Coping Strategies for Kids and Teens Facing Back-to-School Stress

🗓️ Create a predictable routine

Set regular wake-up and bedtime hours
Post a visual schedule or checklist
Include time for homework, breaks, meals, and downtime

🧘 Practice mindfulness together

Try deep breathing before school or bedtime
Use grounding techniques like “5-4-3-2-1” to manage anxiety
Explore apps like Headspace or Calm for guided exercises

💬 Validate their feelings

Say things like “It’s okay to feel nervous” or “That sounds tough”
Avoid minimizing their experience (e.g., “You’ll be fine”)
Normalize emotions by sharing your own past school experiences

👂 Encourage open communication

Ask open-ended questions like “What was the hardest part of today?”
Create space for uninterrupted one-on-one conversations
Listen without jumping in to fix things right away

📵 Limit screen time before bed

Shut off devices 30–60 minutes before bedtime
Encourage reading, journaling, or calming music instead
Use night settings or blue light filters in the evening

How Therapy Helps With Back-to-School Transitions

At Mountains Therapy, we support children and adolescents ages 15 and up through compassionate, evidence-based approaches tailored to their unique needs and personalities.

Therapy can help young people:

Adjust to school transitions (new grade, new school, new social group)
Manage performance anxiety or academic stress
Strengthen emotional regulation and resilience
Cope with bullying, peer pressure, or identity development
Build self-esteem and healthy communication skills

How Therapy Helps With Back-to-School Challenges: Treatment Modalities

We use a variety of treatment approaches to support children and teens, including:

ACT - Acceptance Commitment Therapy: Helps teens identify values and commit to actions that support emotional flexibility.
Attachment-Based Therapy: Strengthens the parent-child bond, promoting secure relationships and emotional safety.
CBT - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Teaches young clients how to identify and reframe negative thought patterns.
DBT - Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: Builds skills for emotional regulation, mindfulness, and healthy interpersonal boundaries.
EFT - Emotionally Focused Therapy: Ideal for teens in family or relationship distress, promoting deeper emotional connection.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy: Helps reduce school-related anxiety and teaches presence and calm.
Narrative Therapy: Empowers youth to re-author their stories with strength and purpose.
Psychodynamic Therapy: Explores unconscious processes and early experiences to build insight.
SFT - Solution Focused Therapy: Focuses on strengths, goals, and solutions—especially helpful for teens.
TF-CBT - Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Provides a safe way for young people to process past trauma while building skills for emotional regulation.

FAQs

Do you see younger children?

At this time, Mountains Therapy provides therapy for children 6+ in Montclair, NJ.

How often should my child attend therapy?

Most teens benefit from weekly sessions, especially during the transition back to school.

Is therapy available online?

Yes! We offer Online Therapy options that are private, secure, and convenient for busy families.

Do you accept insurance?

We are an out-of-network provider. Families can submit a monthly 'Superbill' for possible reimbursement.

🏫 Therapy for Local Kids & Teens Attending Montclair and Upper Montclair Schools

At Mountains Therapy, we provide therapy for children ages 6 and up, including tweens and teens who attend schools throughout Montclair and Upper Montclair. We understand that every stage of development and every school environment presents unique challenges—academic pressure, social changes, transitions, behavioral struggles, and more.

We’re proud to support students from local public and private schools, including:

Public Schools (Montclair Public School District):

Private & Parochial Schools Nearby:

Whether your child is starting 1st grade or navigating their senior year, our therapists offer developmentally appropriate, supportive, and evidence-based care to help them feel confident, regulated, and ready to succeed this school year.

Ready to Support Your Child & Teen This School Year?

The beginning of the school year is a fresh start—a perfect time to prioritize mental wellness. Whether your child is returning to therapy or starting for the first time, our experienced team at Mountains Therapy in Montclair, NJ, is here to help them thrive.