If you're looking for a therapist for your adolescent son in Pennington, NJ, you're probably seeing some of this: he won't get up for school, he's lost in a screen, he's angry or shut down, and you can't tell if it's a phase or something more.

I'm Dr. Mark R. Dell, Psy.D., a licensed psychologist in Pennington. I have worked with adolescents for twenty years. I see adolescent males, ages 16 and 17, and their parents, from Pennington, Princeton, Hopewell, Lawrenceville, West Windsor, and across Mercer County.

An adolescent male who has stopped moving is rarely lazy. Something is in the way. Finding out what it is, and doing something about it, is the work.

Adolescent Son Won't Go to School? Signs It's More Than a Phase

One or two of these is a bad month. Several, lasting weeks or getting worse, deserve a real look.

Unmotivated Adolescent Male: What's Usually Behind It

It's rarely laziness. A boy who has stopped moving is usually carrying something: depression, anxiety, trouble with attention, substance use, or something that happened and was never talked about. Sometimes he has no picture of what being a man looks like or what his next step is. The first job is finding out which it is.

Gaming, Screens, and Isolation in Adolescent Males

Heavy gaming and screen time is one of the most common things parents bring me. Sometimes it's where he hides from school, from people, from a low mood. Sometimes it has become the problem on its own: it eats his sleep, his grades, and his friendships. I look at both. I don't start with a lecture or a ban. I start with what the screen is doing for him and what it's costing him.

Angry or Withdrawn Adolescent Male: Why Boys Go Quiet

Most boys won't tell you they're struggling. They go quiet, they get angry, or they disappear into a game. Parents are left guessing, and the guessing costs months. Anger is often what's on top, and underneath it is something he doesn't yet have words for. A boy who won't talk to you may still talk to someone outside the family.

How Therapy for Adolescent Males Works

Direct, structured, and respectful. I don't lecture him and I don't treat him as broken. We find out what's driving the stall, set clear goals, and take real steps: school, sleep, work, responsibility, and a plan for what's next.

You stay involved. With your son's agreement, I check in with you throughout, so we're pulling in the same direction. At the start, I explain what stays between him and me and what I share with you. If there is a serious safety concern, I tell you.

Twenty Years of Work With Adolescents

I have worked with adolescents for twenty years: in private practice, as a school clinician at South Brunswick High School, in inpatient adolescent psychiatry, and in forensic work evaluating minors for the court.

What to Expect

  1. A 15-minute call with you. Call (609) 439-6526. We go over what you're seeing and whether I'm the right fit.
  2. A first session with your son. You and your son both sign the consent forms, which you can download on the Patient Forms page. We meet in person in Pennington, or by telehealth anywhere in New Jersey.
  3. A plan and regular check-ins with you, with your son's agreement.
$240
Per 50-Minute Session
First step: a 15-minute phone call, no commitment
Private pay. Not billed to insurance. A superbill is provided for out-of-network reimbursement. Cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice, and missed appointments, are charged the full fee.

If He Won't Come

Many boys refuse at first. Forcing it rarely works. Start with the call: what changes at home matters, and some boys come in once the pattern around them shifts. If your son is 18 or older, see failure to launch help for parents →

Therapy for Adolescent Males: Areas Served

Areas Served

Pennington · Princeton · Hopewell · Lawrenceville · West Windsor · Hamilton · Ewing · Plainsboro · Mercer County, NJ. Office: 21 NJ-31, Suite A6A, Pennington, NJ 08534. Telehealth throughout New Jersey.

Common Questions from Parents of Adolescent Males

What ages do you see?

I see adolescent males ages 16 and 17, and young men 18 and older. If your son is 18 or older and you want guidance first, see my failure to launch page for parents.

Why is my adolescent son so unmotivated?

It is rarely laziness. An adolescent male who has stopped trying is usually dealing with depression, anxiety, trouble with attention, substance use, something that happened and was never talked about, or no clear picture of what comes next. The first step is finding out which one. Pushing harder before you know usually makes it worse.

Is my adolescent son depressed or just being an adolescent?

A rough week is normal. Weeks of withdrawal, falling grades, a flipped sleep schedule, or losing interest in everything he used to like is not. You do not need to be sure before you call. I will tell you whether it needs a closer look and who should do it.

Should I take away my son's video games?

In my experience, a sudden total ban often starts a fight without fixing anything. Gaming is often where he hides from something, and sometimes it becomes a problem of its own. I look at what the screen is doing for him and what it is costing him, then we set limits in steps, with him and with you.

How do I get my adolescent son to go to therapy?

Start with a call to me, not a confrontation with him. Tell him you are getting help to handle this better yourself, and that he will get to meet me and decide. Many boys who refuse will try one session when they feel they have a say. You cannot force an adolescent to talk, and I will not pretend otherwise.

Will you tell me everything my son says in session?

No. An adolescent male needs a place to talk without feeling watched. At the start, we agree on what I share with you: attendance, scheduling, and general progress and goals. If there is a serious safety concern, I tell you. Legal limits on confidentiality also apply, and I explain them in the first session.

Do you work with adolescent males who use marijuana or vape?

I ask every adolescent about substance use. If it is driving the problem, I will say so, and I will point you to the right level of care if therapy alone is not enough.

Where can I find a therapist for adolescent males near Pennington or Princeton?

My office is at 21 NJ-31, Suite A6A, Pennington, NJ 08534, a short drive from Princeton, Hopewell, Lawrenceville, West Windsor, and Ewing. Sessions are in person, or by telehealth anywhere in New Jersey.

How much does therapy for an adolescent male cost in NJ? Is it covered by insurance?

Sessions are $240 for 50 minutes. This is a private-pay practice and does not bill insurance. I provide a superbill, and many families recover part of the fee through out-of-network benefits. Check your plan.

Request a Consultation About Your Son

Leave your name and number and I'll call you back personally within 1–2 business days. Or call (609) 439-6526.

Your message is submitted securely. Submitting this form does not establish a therapeutic relationship or create a clinical record. All inquiries are handled with complete discretion.

Thank you. Dr. Dell will contact you personally within 1–2 business days to schedule your confidential consultation call. In the meantime, you are welcome to call directly at (609) 439-6526.

If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911. For a mental health crisis, call or text 988. This form is not monitored in real time. Submitting it does not create a professional relationship.

Related Reading

This page is educational information. It is not a diagnosis, and it is not a substitute for an individual evaluation. If your son is in danger, call 911. For a mental health crisis, call or text 988.