Adolescent Health

Comprehensive Care for the Adolescent Years

Adolescence is a time of rapid physical, emotional, and mental change.

At Flourish Family Medicine, we offer comprehensive adolescent wellness care focused on healthy development, prevention, and early identification of concerns. Regular visits allow us to build strong, trusting relationships with teens and their families, creating space to address physical health, emotional well-being, and lifestyle factors during these formative years.

This stage of life is also when many chronic conditions first emerge. Thoughtful, consistent care helps support long-term health now and into adulthood.

Between school, activities, friendships, and growing independence, teens are navigating a lot — and their health shouldn’t be an added burden.

At Flourish Family Medicine, we support teens through a wide range of health concerns that commonly arise during adolescence

Allergies
Anxiety/Depression
Asthma
Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder
Chronic colds and sinus infections
Diabetes
Digestive issues
Fatigue and low energy
Headaches and migraines
Hormonal imbalances
Hypothyroid and hyperthyroid
Insomnia and sleep disorders
Menstrual cycle disorders
Nutrient deficiencies
Pain and injury
Physicals for school and/or sports
Skin conditions like acne and eczema
Stress
Vaccinations
Weight management issues
And more

Every adolescent is different. Our care is centered on creating a safe, respectful environment where teens feel heard, comfortable, and empowered to participate in their own healthcare. Regular visits allow us to identify concerns early and support healthy development through these transitional years.

Our Approach to Treatment

Treatment plans are individualized and designed to support both current concerns and long-term health. Depending on each teen’s needs, care may include a combination of nutritional guidance, lifestyle counseling, and education to support healthy habits at home and school.

When appropriate, providers may recommend laboratory testing to better understand underlying contributors to symptoms. This may include hormone testing, nutrient evaluation, digestive testing, or food sensitivity assessments. Treatment plans may also include supplements, botanical medicine, prescription medications or other supportive therapies.

Stress management and mental-emotional well-being are woven into care, recognizing the important connection between physical health and emotional resilience during adolescence.

Our goal is to partner with teens and their families to create personalized, realistic plans that support health now and lay the foundation for lifelong well-being.

How Visits Evolve as Teens Get Older

As children move into adolescence, the structure of medical visits naturally evolves to support growing independence, confidence, and self-advocacy — while still valuing family involvement.

In early adolescence, visits typically include time with both the teen and parent together. This allows families to stay engaged in care while providers begin encouraging teens to participate more actively in conversations about their health.

As teens mature, providers may spend a portion of the visit privately with the adolescent. This creates space for confidential questions and helps teens develop comfort discussing health topics directly with their provider. Parents are invited to remain involved as appropriate and as the teen consents.

By mid to late adolescence, teens often take a more active role in directing their visits. At this stage, adolescents may choose whether a parent is present for part or all of the appointment. This approach supports autonomy while maintaining continuity and trust.

Throughout every stage, our providers focus on clear communication, respect, and collaboration. Our goal is to help teens build the skills and confidence they need to manage their health as they transition toward adulthood — with support from both their family and healthcare team.

Privacy & Confidentiality

As adolescents grow, privacy becomes an important part of healthcare. Washington State law includes specific protections for teen medical privacy, and our clinic follows these requirements while encouraging open, supportive communication within families whenever possible.

At certain ages and for certain types of care, teens may have the right to confidential conversations with their provider. Our approach is developmentally appropriate and gradual, helping teens build independence while maintaining trust and transparency.

For detailed information about consent, medical records access, and how privacy is handled at different ages, please review our Minor Care in Washington State page.