Teens

Teens & adolescent health at Montana Whole Health

Thoughtful, whole-person care for the teenage years

Parenting a teenager can feel overwhelming when something just isn’t working. Maybe your teen is struggling with anxiety, mood changes, school refusal, ADHD symptoms, sleep problems, or emotional shutdown — and despite therapy, medication, or “doing all the right things,” they still don’t seem like themselves. At Montana Whole Health, we specialize in helping families understand why a teen is struggling and what can be done beyond simply managing symptoms.

At Montana Whole Health, we recognize that adolescence is not just a phase to “get through,” but a critical window to support long-term mental and physical health.

Dr. Michelson specializes in adolescent health, with a particular focus on teen mental health, behavior challenges, and emotional resilience. She works closely with teens and families to understand what is really driving symptoms. We want your teen to thrive!

A different approach to teen mental health & behavior

Many teens come to us struggling with fatigue, irritability, mood swings, school avoidance, emotional shutdown, or explosive behavior. Others carry diagnoses such as ADHD, anxiety disorders, or depression, but still don’t feel well — or feel that medication alone hasn’t fully addressed their needs.

At Montana Whole Health, we believe mental health care should be individualized, collaborative, and respectful of the teen as a whole person. We take time to listen — not only to parents, but to teens themselves — and work to uncover contributing factors such as sleep disruption, nutrient deficiencies, blood sugar imbalance, inflammation, gut health, hormonal shifts, stress physiology, and nervous system regulation.

For many teens, simply being heard in a calm, non-judgmental space is a powerful first step toward healing.

Physical health concerns in teens

Many teens also come to us for physical symptoms that don’t always fit neatly into one diagnosis, or that persist despite “normal” labs or standard treatment. Ongoing fatigue, headaches, acne, digestive concerns, painful or irregular periods, and unexplained physical complaints are common during adolescence — and are often closely connected to stress, sleep, nutrition, hormones, and nervous system regulation. Addressing these physical contributors can be a critical part of improving both physical well-being and mental health.

Conditions seen:

• Anxiety and panic disorders
• Depression
• Autism Spectrum Disorder, especially Autism Burnout
• ADHD and executive function problems
• Emotional regulation and behavior concerns
• School stress, burnout, or avoidance
• Sleep problems
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Acne and skin concerns
• Hormonal symptoms like painful periods, heavy bleeding, skipped cycles, PMS and others
• Headaches and migraines
• Digestive issues
• Post-concussion symptoms
• Stress-related physical symptoms
• Unexplained medical complaints
• Early signs of disordered eating
• Iron deficiency
• And more…

Building trust with teens

Adolescents need care that respects their growing independence while still supporting family involvement. At Montana Whole Health, visits are structured to allow teens space to speak openly, ask questions, and participate in their care — while keeping parents informed and involved in an appropriate, transparent way.

We explain diagnoses and treatment plans in language teens can understand, and we move at a pace that feels safe and collaborative. Our goal is not just symptom relief, but helping teens develop insight, resilience, and confidence in their bodies and minds.

Why choose a naturopathic physician for your teen?

Naturopathic physicians in Montana are licensed primary care providers. We can provide adolescent wellness visits, order labs and imaging, prescribe medications when appropriate, and coordinate referrals to specialists when needed.

Families work with Montana Whole Health in different ways, and there is no single “right” approach. Some families choose to use our clinic as their teen’s primary care home, receiving wellness visits, acute care, and preventive services here. Others prefer to keep an existing pediatrician or primary care provider and use naturopathic care adjunctively, focusing on integrative support for mental health, behavior, or chronic concerns. We are happy to support families in either role and work collaboratively with other providers whenever possible.

What makes naturopathic care different is the time, education, and root-cause focus. We prioritize the least invasive, most supportive interventions first — while keeping all options available when needed — and tailor care to each teen’s unique needs, goals, and family preferences.

We believe that investing in teen health now can prevent years of chronic illness, mental health struggles, and burnout later.

Acute care & ongoing support

Once established at Montana Whole Health, teens are welcome to schedule visits for acute concerns such as illness, headaches, flares of anxiety, sleep disruption, or other emerging issues.

How to schedule

Scheduling an appointment for your teen is easy. Parents may call our front desk or request an appointment directly on our Schedule page. If you are unsure whether naturopathic care is the right fit for your teen, Dr. Michelson also offers a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation. This brief conversation allows you to ask questions, share concerns, and decide next steps with clarity and confidence — no commitment required.