Teen Therapist Miami | TherapyWise | Kristy Kolev, LMHC

Welcome to TherapyWise!

Real tools.
Real change.
Real life.

Therapy for emotionally intense teens and the parents who love them. Warm, practical, and grounded in what actually works.

“My mission is to help teens and parents feel seen, supported, and empowered.”

Teen in therapy session
Kristy Mena Kolev, LMHC

Hi, I’m Kristy

I help teens find their footing and help parents breathe again.

I'm a licensed mental health counselor with more than a decade of experience working with teens, young adults, and families navigating emotional intensity, high conflict, and complex mental health challenges.

My clinical background includes work in residential programs, family reunification settings, and fully adherent DBT practices treating high acuity adolescents with complex mood disorders, self destructive and impulsive behaviors, and severe emotional dysregulation. That training shaped the structure and depth behind the work I do today.

I specialize in skills based, DBT informed approaches that focus on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, communication, and steady limit setting. My work is practical, structured, and grounded in real world application.

And as a mom myself, I understand both sides of this work. I know what it feels like to want a calmer home, clearer boundaries, and a path forward that actually feels doable. TherapyWise was built to bring clinical expertise and real life perspective together in one place.

Work With Me

Teen therapy and parent coaching for families who are ready to do the work.

Two distinct paths. Both grounded in 13 years of clinical experience working exclusively with teens and families.

01
Teen Therapy
  • Individual therapy for teens ages 13 to 25
  • DBT-informed, skills-based, and practical
  • Emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and communication
  • In person in Miami or virtually across Florida
Florida Residents Only
02
Parent Coaching
  • 6 private 50-minute sessions via video call
  • Personalized plan based on your teen and family dynamics
  • Session recordings, email support, and all worksheets
  • Skills-based coaching grounded in clinical experience
Available Nationwide

My Approach

Therapy that works in real life.

My mission is to help parents and teens feel seen, supported, and empowered without judgment, pressure, or unrealistic expectations.

Warm, Grounded, and Judgment Free

You will never feel talked down to, pressured, or shamed. Therapy is a collaborative process built on trust and respect.

Skills Based and Practical

Sessions focus on learning and practicing tools that help manage emotional intensity, navigate stress, and strengthen communication.

Structured but Flexible

Every person and family is different. Our work focuses on building steadiness, emotional awareness, and healthier responses to difficult situations.

Focused on Real Life Change

The goal is not perfection. The goal is helping teens and parents feel more capable, confident, and steady in everyday moments.

Warm therapy connection

Fees & Information

Transparent, straightforward pricing.

Sessions are offered in person in Miami and virtually for Florida residents.

Individual Session
50 minutes
$250
Initial Intake Assessment
60 minutes
$300
Parent Coaching Package
6 sessions · available nationwide
$1,200
Many clients submit receipts to their insurance for potential out of network reimbursement. Call the member services number on your card and ask about out of network mental health benefits.

“Taking the first step is always the hardest part. I make everything else as easy as possible.”

Book a Free 15 Min Call
Why Private Pay?
  • Greater privacy and confidentiality
  • More flexibility in treatment approach
  • No diagnostic requirements imposed by insurance
  • Full focus on the work that is most helpful for you

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

TherapyWise is a private pay practice and does not bill insurance directly. Sessions are paid out of pocket at the time of service. Upon request, I can provide a superbill, which is a detailed receipt you can submit to your insurance company for potential out of network reimbursement. Many families find that their out of network benefits cover a meaningful portion of the cost. I'm happy to walk you through what to ask your insurance provider.

Individual therapy sessions are $250 for 50 minutes. The initial intake assessment is $300 for 60 minutes. Parent coaching is offered as a 6 session package for $1,200, available nationwide via video. These rates reflect the specialized, evidence-based care your family receives and the fact that you won't be on a waitlist, rationed by session limits, or handed off to a different provider.

I specialize in teens and young adults ages 13 to 25. This is the population I know best: the emotional intensity, the identity development, the family tension, the school pressure. I also work with parents through coaching, which is available to families nationwide regardless of where the teen is located.

DBT stands for Dialectical Behavior Therapy. It was originally developed for people who experience emotions more intensely than others, which describes a lot of teenagers. DBT teaches concrete, practical skills in four areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Instead of just talking about problems, your teen will leave sessions with tools they can actually use. Research consistently shows DBT is one of the most effective approaches for emotional dysregulation, self-harm urges, conflict, and mood swings.

If your teen is having frequent emotional meltdowns, shutting down completely, struggling at school, fighting with family, withdrawing from friends, or saying things that scare you, therapy is appropriate. You do not have to wait for a crisis. Early support is always more effective than crisis intervention. If you are asking yourself this question, trust that instinct. Parents almost always know something is off before they have the words for it.

This is one of the most common situations I hear from parents. Teens often resist therapy because they expect to be judged, analyzed, or told what to do. The first thing I'd suggest is starting with parent coaching. When parents shift how they respond and communicate, teens often become more open over time. I also recommend being honest with your teen about why you're concerned, rather than framing therapy as punishment or a fix for being "bad." When teens feel seen rather than managed, they tend to engage. If you'd like to talk through your specific situation, I'm happy to connect before you commit to anything.

Yes, and honestly parent work is one of the most powerful things we can do. I offer a 6 session parent coaching package that teaches you the same DBT-informed skills your teen is learning, helps you regulate your own stress response, and gives you strategies for communicating with an emotionally intense child without escalating conflict. Parent coaching is available via video nationwide. You do not need to be in Florida.

Yes. Individual therapy is available in person in Miami and virtually for Florida residents. Parent coaching is available via video to families anywhere in the country. Virtual sessions are conducted through a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform and tend to work well for teens who are more comfortable at home.

Free Resources

Not sure where to start?

Good support should not have a waiting list. Grab these free resources and start using them today.

Get Started

Let’s talk about what your family needs.

The first step is a free 15 minute consultation. No pressure, no commitment. Just a conversation to see if we are a good fit.

Phone
Location
Miami, FL
Telehealth
Available across Florida
Currently Accepting New Clients

Ready to take the first step?

The first step is a free 15 minute consultation. No pressure, no commitment. Just a real conversation to see if we're a good fit for your family.

Click below to view my availability and request an appointment directly through my secure client portal.

Book Your Free Consult

You'll be taken to my secure SimplePractice portal to select a time that works for you.

This portal is not monitored in real time. If this is a mental health crisis, please call 988 or 911.