Meet Lane Balaban,

Therapist for Teens & Pre-Teens

Online Counseling for New Jersey Adolescents

It’s not your fault they're going through this, but it's time to do something about it. 

Female therapist providing virtual counseling to teens.

Your teen is struggling. I can help!

I am dedicated to helping pre-teens and teens discover and address what is really contributing to the emotional difficulties in their lives. 

For over a decade, I have counseled adolescents as a Middle and High School Guidance Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Intensive In-Community Counselor.

As a full-time teen therapist, I get to focus ALL my energy on helping teens with their specific issues- diving deep into what your child is going through.

It's important for your child's therapist to work closely with you and the school to make sure everyone's on the same page. Im able to use my unique School Counseling background to do just that. I offer more personalized support- helping your teen to not only achieve their personal and social goals, but also their academic and college/career ones.

My goal is to get your teen to a place of acceptance. Acceptance of their strengths, their potential, and their ability to be in control of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

Through this judgment-free exploration, we'll acknowledge that some of the beliefs your child has about themselves, and some of the ideas they have about the way people view them, are not accurate. 

I’ll provide your child with tools and techniques so they can learn how their brain works, why they feel certain emotions, and how to reframe their unhelpful or negative thoughts with compassion and logic.

I will be there to remind them that they decide how they react to the thoughts and feelings that come up throughout their day, and that they are fully capable of taking the time to evaluate these thoughts and feelings before they act on them.

Our time together will give them what they need to navigate the trials and tribulations of adolescence and unlock their potential.

Colorful plants in teen therapy office.

THERE’S SUPPORT FOR   YOU. , TOO. 

This is a team effort.

We all have the same goal: for your teen to feel healthier and happier!

I will work closely with you to monitor your child’s progress and equip you with the insight, skills, and guidance you need to help them thrive outside of therapy.

MY APPROACH

I use a combination of methods that work best for your teen!

  • CBT starts with your thoughts. It's ALL about how you think about things. Sometimes, we have negative thoughts that make us feel bad. For example, if you fail a test, you might think, "I'm stupid." CBT helps you recognize these negative thoughts.

    Your thoughts affect how you feel. So, if you think you're stupid because you failed a test, you'll feel sad or anxious. CBT helps you understand the connection between your thoughts and your feelings.

    Your feelings lead to your actions. If you feel sad because of that test, you might avoid studying, which can make things worse. CBT helps you see how your actions are linked to your thoughts and feelings.

    In therapy, we work to change your negative thoughts and behaviors. I'll help you challenge those thoughts and replace them with more positive or realistic ones. For example, instead of thinking, "I'm stupid," you might learn to say, "I need to study more for the next test."

    CBT teaches you skills to cope with difficult situations. You'll learn how to manage stress, deal with problems, and face your fears. You'll see how your thoughts and feelings change over time, and how your new ways of thinking can lead to more positive feelings and behaviors.

    CBT can help with many issues like anxiety, depression, stress, and more. It's a practical and effective way to work on your mental health and well-being. It's like training your mind to be healthier, just like you'd train your body in the gym. And the best part is, you can use the skills you learn in CBT for the rest of your life to handle whatever comes your way!

  • SFBT is all about looking for ways to solve your problems. Instead of spending a lot of time talking about what's wrong, we will focus on what's going well and how to make things even better.

    I will ask you questions to help you think about your goals and what you want your life to be like (not just what's bothering you). These could be things like improving your grades, getting along better with your family, or feeling less anxious.

    Instead of trying to solve everything at once, SFBT breaks things down into small, manageable steps. Together, we will figure out what you can do right now to make things better.

    This type of therapy encourages positive thinking. It's all about believing in yourself and your ability to make changes in your life. We will focus on your strengths and the things you're good at. I will help you recognize your abilities and how you've overcome challenges in the past.

    It's called "brief therapy" because it usually doesn't take a long time. SFBT is quick and focused on what you can do right now to make your life better.

    The best part is that you'll learn skills that can help you solve problems not just now, but throughout your life!

  • Psychoeducation is a way of teaching you about your mental health and how to take care of it.

    I'll help you learn about how your brain works, how you think, and why you feel certain emotions. I'll provide information about common struggles like anxiety, depression, or stress. This can help you know what's going on when you or someone you know is struggling with these issues.

    When you understand your mind better, you can make choices that help you feel happier and healthier.

    I will also teach you coping strategies to manage stress and deal with difficult emotions.

    Mindfulness is one of the most powerful coping strategies. It helps give your mind a break from the regrets of the past and the worries of the future. You will learn to be okay with just being in the present moment.  It's like a mental reset button that can make you feel more relaxed and focused!

    Both psychoeducation and mindfulness are tools that can help you take better care of your mental health. They can teach you how to understand and manage your emotions, and how to stay present and focused. These skills can be really helpful in dealing with the ups and downs of life (especially life as a teenager!)

My Training & Education

CLINICAL LICENSURE & CERTIFICATION

  • New Jersey Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) #37PC00887400- Verify License

  • California Associate Professional Clinical Counselor

  • School Counselor (K-12)

  • Student Assistance Coordinator (SAC)

EDUCATION

  • Master of Arts in Counseling; Specialization in School Counseling, The College of New Jersey

  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Pennsylvania State University

Teens say they like working with me because I’m helpful, funny, easy to talk to, and "really, really nice".

Parents say they like the extra support, open communication, and positive changes in their teens.

Schools say they like my professionalism and how I understand their perspective.

Let’s start supporting your child’s mental health, today.