Child & Adolescent Therapy
Offering In-Person in Bloomington and telehealth services to clients across Minnesota
Helping Young People Feel Safe, Seen, and Supported in Minnesota
Specialized youth therapy rooted in affirmation, understanding, and a deep commitment to helping kids and teens grow into themselves with confidence.
It can be heartbreaking to watch your child pull away, shut down, or become overwhelmed by emotions they can’t explain. Many parents feel stuck — wanting to help but unsure what their child needs or how to approach sensitive topics like identity, body image, or social stress. Meanwhile, young people often feel pressure to manage everything on their own, even when they’re hurting.
During childhood and adolescence, so much is happening beneath the surface. Kids and teens are navigating friendships, school pressure, identity questions, social media, and the constant feeling that they need to “get it right.” Some carry the weight of identity‑based stress, bullying, or internal conflict about who they’re becoming. Others wrestle with big emotions or the pressure to appear “fine” even when they’re not.
At Emberly, we meet young people exactly where they are — with curiosity, respect, and zero assumptions. We understand that emotional pain in youth often shows up as irritability, avoidance, school refusal, perfectionism, or sudden shifts in behavior. We also know that identity development, social belonging, and emotional regulation are deeply intertwined during these years. Our role is to create a space where young people feel safe enough to open up, explore, and grow. We help them build confidence, emotional resilience, and a stronger sense of self — while supporting caregivers every step of the way.
When Your Child Is Hurting, You Deserve Clarity and Support
Youth mental health challenges stem from a mix of biological, emotional, social, and identity‑related stressors. Kids and teens experience the world with an intensity adults sometimes forget — their brains are still developing the systems responsible for emotional regulation, impulse control, and long‑term decision‑making. Stress, anxiety, and identity‑related uncertainty can feel especially overwhelming, and often show up in ways that don’t resemble “typical” adult anxiety or depression, which can make it hard for caregivers to recognize what’s really going on.
Why These Years Feel So Intense
Identity development is a core part of growing up. Young people are figuring out who they are across many dimensions: personality, values, culture, gender, sexuality, friendships, and future goals. For some, this exploration is exciting; for others, it’s confusing or stressful — especially if they fear judgment or lack supportive adults. When youth feel safe, affirmed, and understood, they’re far more able to regulate emotions, build coping skills, and move through challenges with resilience.
The Inner Journey of Growing Up
Affirming care means creating the psychological safety young people need to explore who they are. It’s about listening deeply, respecting their lived experience, and meeting them without assumptions or pressure. Research consistently shows that identity‑affirming environments reduce anxiety, depression, and self‑harm risk in youth — no matter where their identity journey leads.
Building on that foundation of safety, effective therapy helps young people understand their developing brains, build practical skills, and make sense of their inner world. Sessions often include coping strategies, emotional regulation tools, communication skills, and space to practice identifying their emotions and needs. Therapists also help youth explore social stressors, family dynamics, and identity questions. Caregivers play a central role, and we help them understand what their child is experiencing and how to support them with confidence.
The Safety and Skills Young People Need to Thrive
At Emberly, we create an inclusive, welcoming environment where young people feel genuinely seen. Our clinicians draw on years of experience working with kids and teens to translate big emotions and complex developmental concepts into tools they can actually use. Therapy becomes a place to understand their growing brains, build emotional resilience, and practice skills that support real‑life challenges. We teach coping strategies, communication skills, and ways to identify and express their needs — all tailored to their age, identity, and learning style. It’s a space designed for growth, exploration, and the confidence that comes from feeling understood.
The Emberly Approach: Affirming, Evidence‑Based Therapy Grounded in Real‑Life Understanding of Growing Up
A Space to Learn, Explore, and Grow
No two kids are alike, and their needs change as they grow. Our team draws from a wide range of evidence‑based approaches, including CBT, DBT, ACT, interpersonal psychotherapy, trauma‑informed care, psychoeducation, somatic strategies, mindfulness, relational‑cultural therapy, and creative interventions like art, play, and storytelling. This breadth of training gives us the flexibility to make therapy a good fit for your unique child — and to adapt as their challenges evolve.
Flexible, Evidence‑Based Tools That Grow With Your Child
We believe therapy is most effective when caregivers feel informed and confident. We partner closely with families to help them understand what their child is experiencing, strengthen communication, and build supportive skills at home. Our approach balances giving your child the space to explore safely while equipping you with the tools to show up with clarity and compassion.
Collaborative Partnerships With Caregivers
At Emberly, we know kids and teens need more than a supportive space — they need therapists who truly understand the realities of growing up. Our clinicians bring years of specialized experience working with youth, and we’re deeply attuned to the intensity of their emotions, the complexity of identity development, and the pressures they face at school, at home, and in their social worlds. That experience allows us to tailor therapy to each young person’s developmental stage, strengths, and needs.
Meet the Adolescent Specialists
With over 15 years of experience, I’ve honed my ability to offer tailored, effective care that meets you exactly where you are. I’ve also had the privilege of leading clinical outpatient programs, managing a team of 75 clinicians, and building and sustaining IOP programs for adolescents. I specialize in a variety of therapeutic approaches including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), drawing from each to offer a blend of techniques that works best for you.
Amber Schupp
For more than a decade, I have provided individual and group therapy to clients of all ages to support them through their unique challenges. I specialize in helping my clients navigate adolescent challenges, I currently provide individual therapy to teens. My practice is rooted in evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). I also integrate person-centered and strengths-based principles to ensure that each session is tailored to your individual needs.
Mara Fusco
With over 10 years of clinical experience, I have worked with adolescents and young adults navigating the complexities of life. My goal is to create a supportive space where you feel understood as we explore your experiences and the patterns that shape your thoughts, emotions, and relationships. I enjoy helping people slow down, reconnect with themselves, and find balance within the demands of work, parenting, relationships, I integrate approaches including ACT, CBT, DBT, Somatic Experiencing, and Mentalization-Based Therapy within a person-centered framework.
Scarlett O'Connell
With over 20 years of experience, it is truly an honor to walk alongside of my clients as they work to improve their lives. Each individual has their own life story and I utilize a holistic approach, which includes things such as family history, culture, strengths, and barriers to deliver support for you. With knowledge of various approaches such as Strength-Based, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT), and Polyvagal Theory, I strive to utilize the most appropriate approach for each client, including incorporating art, play, books, breath work, mindfulness, and meditation into therapy.
Toni Belsky
Frequently Asked Questions
Your child deserves support. We offer in‑person therapy for adolescent therapy in the South Metro, along with flexible telehealth options for clients across Minnesota.
Helping Adolescents Grow Into Themselves With Confidence
Ready To Help Your Child Build A Stronger Sense Of Self?
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