NYC Teenspace: Free online therapy for NYC teens

At theatreMAMA, our initiative reaches students primarily through high school activities like mental health workshops, lunchroom tabling, and classroom “push-ins” during advisory periods at NYC high schools. During summer, the team adapts by visiting places like public pools, PSAL camps, events, street fairs, and more by offering snacks and sparking conversations. Because therapy can feel intimidating, especially for young people, we focus on making mental health support feel approachable and even fun. Interactive elements like choosing between Takis or Nerds, “friend incentive” cards, and playful stickers like “I told my therapist about you” help teens feel more comfortable engaging with our team and the idea of therapy itself. We tailor every activation to our audiences, such as casting younger ambassadors for Teenspace events to create peer-to-peer connections that resonate more deeply with teens across the city.

Feedback from schools, counselors, and community leaders has been overwhelmingly positive. Customizing our approach for each environment has led to even greater success. For Teenspace, the reward not only lies in the numbers, but the impact we have made on teens every day. Feedback like “I need this, this is so great” and “I actually will do this, how do I sign up?” shows the impact Teenspace is making on young teens. theatreMAMA is honored to play a part in helping NYC teens feel seen, supported, and empowered. Sign up for therapy at https://www.nycteenspace.com/