Services

Adolescent Therapy

Middle and high school are a time of great change and exploration, and having outside support can be essential for teens struggling with identity development, mental health, or life changes. Having a place to bring and leave worries often helps adolescents feel more prepared to tackle life stressors on a daily basis. Highsmith provides relatable, empathetic, and compassionate support that meets them where they are, and competently addresses concerns of academic pressure, family stress, peer relationships, gender and sexuality identity development, emotional regulation, and changes in circumstance (e.g. moving, parental divorce).

What Parents Can Expect

Highsmith is experienced in balancing the need for client confidentiality with the need for parents to feel comfortable and informed. While creating a trusting environment with your child and honoring their privacy and autonomy are essential to therapeutic work, having strong relationships and open communication with caregivers is also critical for successful therapy. Highsmith’s email and phone line are open to parents for questions, concerns, non-emergency situations, and consultation. She typically responds within one business day and offers free 15-minute consultations as needed regarding client welfare.

Highsmith offers psychoeducation as necessary on topics pertinent for your child, such as:

  • Gender/sexuality identity development

  • Symptom management for anxiety or panic attacks

  • How to help your child de-escalate when they are agitated

  • Conflict resolution within the family

  • Boundary setting

Adult Therapy

A core element of Highsmith’s therapeutic approach is understanding the forces that influence your decisions, whether they be messages from society, friends and family, or other intimate relationships. You are able to compassionately view yourself and to make changes and decisions that feel authentic when you are aware of what is driving your goals and choices. Highsmith works with clients all across the lifespan and strives to create a therapeutic environment unique to each of her clients. No two people have the same history, needs, or processing styles, and as your therapist it is her job to listen and empower you to create a therapy space that meets your needs. She balances a blend of solution-focused work with taking the time to do justice to the nuances and complexity of each client’s life, ensuring that therapy is individualized, goal-oriented, and effective.

Highsmith uses an integrative approach that does not rely on a single therapeutic model, but is adaptive to the needs of her clients.  This includes relational cultural therapy, motivational interviewing, feminist therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness. She creates a transparent therapeutic environment and is flexible with feedback. Highsmith’s clients always feel they are in the driver’s seat and that they are the expert on their lives, and it is her responsibility to provide insights and reflections that become visible over the course of the therapeutic process.

LGBTQIA+ Therapy

Exploring the beauty and complexity of queer identities is Highsmith’s passion and purpose, and her therapy and style reflect this in every session. As a queer gender non-conforming individual, she is able to provide an empathic, safe, celebratory environment that understands how the nuances of gender and sexuality are woven into daily life. Whether you are an adolescent exploring your sexuality or gender for the first time, an adult coming to terms with changes in desire or orientation, or someone that is passionate of gender and sexual equality, Highsmith will provide the space for you to voice your needs, preferences, and desires. An expert in adolescent gender identity development, Highsmith has been providing trainings and lectures at local universities and outpatient centers for over five years on the importance of acceptance for gender non-conforming/trans youth. She is well-versed in non-binary/trans-specific needs, BDSM & kink culture, non-monogamous and polyamorous relationship structures, pronouns & presentation changes, dysphoria and body image concerns, and understanding how heteronormativity and discrimination impact the lives of queer folks of all ages.

LGBTQIA+ clients often need to educate their therapist on basic concepts related to their identity and experiences. Highsmith stays up to date on current research, best practices, and cultural norms relevant to sexuality and gender, so therapy can focus on serving your needs. She takes the time to learn additional information outside the therapy session to ensure she is informed and equipped to understand your specific situation. She will honor your identity, and provide validation and support when challenges arise. All presentations, body types, and relationship styles are welcome!