The teenage years bring dramatic physical, emotional, and social changes that require specialized medical care from a pediatrician who understands adolescent development. My Beverly Hills practice provides comprehensive adolescent health services for teens ages 13-18, addressing everything from puberty and growth to mental health, sexual health, sports injuries, and the unique challenges facing today’s teenagers. I create a comfortable, confidential environment where adolescents feel safe discussing sensitive topics while helping parents stay appropriately involved in their teen’s healthcare journey.
Adolescent medicine is about more than just annual physicals and sports clearances – it’s about supporting young people as they develop independence, navigate peer pressure, manage stress, and make decisions affecting their long-term health. I treat teenagers with respect, listen without judgment, and provide evidence-based guidance on issues they face daily, from acne and nutrition to anxiety, relationships, and substance abuse prevention. Beverly Hills families trust me to care for their teens during these critical years, balancing confidentiality with safety while building relationships that help adolescents become healthy, informed adults who advocate for their own wellbeing.
Puberty brings profound physical changes that can be confusing, embarrassing, or concerning for adolescents and their parents. I provide education and reassurance about normal pubertal development including growth spurts, body composition changes, breast development in girls, voice changes in boys, menstruation, facial hair, body odor, and the wide range of timing considered normal for these milestones. During appointments, I assess whether your teen’s development is progressing appropriately, address concerns about early or delayed puberty, and help adolescents understand what’s happening to their bodies so they feel less anxious about these natural changes.
Common physical concerns I address include acne management with both topical treatments and oral medications when needed, irregular periods or menstrual pain requiring evaluation or treatment, gynecomastia (breast development in boys) which is often temporary, concerns about height or weight, body image issues, and questions about normal versus abnormal physical development. My Beverly Hills adolescent health services include comprehensive physical examinations, Tanner staging to track pubertal progress, screening for scoliosis which often appears during teenage years, and discussions about nutrition, sleep, and exercise needs during this rapid growth period when bodies need extra support.
Adolescence is a vulnerable time for mental health concerns, with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts affecting many teenagers. I screen all adolescent patients for mental health symptoms using validated tools, and I provide safe space for teens to discuss emotional struggles, school stress, social media pressures, friendship drama, family conflicts, and overwhelming feelings. Early identification and intervention for mental health issues during teenage years can prevent serious consequences and set young people on healthier trajectories into adulthood.
My approach to adolescent mental health includes assessment, counseling, referrals to therapists or psychiatrists when needed, medication management for conditions like anxiety and depression, safety planning for teens expressing suicidal thoughts, and family support to help parents understand and respond appropriately to their teenager’s struggles. I address risk factors including substance use, social isolation, academic pressure, bullying, LGBTQ+ issues, trauma, and sleep deprivation that contribute to poor mental health. Beverly Hills teens face unique pressures around achievement, appearance, and social status, and I help them develop healthy coping mechanisms, resilience, and perspective while ensuring serious mental health concerns receive proper treatment.
Many Beverly Hills teenagers participate in competitive sports, dance, or intense physical training requiring specialized sports medicine care. I provide pre-participation sports physicals required for school athletics, assess injury risk factors, offer guidance on training intensity and overuse injury prevention, and evaluate sports-related injuries including sprains, strains, concussions, and overuse conditions like stress fractures or tendinitis. My goal is keeping young athletes healthy, safe, and performing their best while recognizing when rest and recovery are necessary to prevent serious injury.
Concussion management is a critical component of adolescent sports medicine, as teenage brains are particularly vulnerable to head injuries with potentially lasting effects. I use established protocols for concussion diagnosis, implement return-to-play and return-to-learn guidelines, and monitor recovery carefully before clearing athletes for full activity. I also address sports nutrition needs, supplement safety concerns, performance pressure affecting mental health, exercise-induced conditions like asthma, and the importance of balancing athletics with adequate sleep, proper nutrition, and injury prevention strategies. When injuries require orthopedic specialists or physical therapy, I coordinate care while remaining your teen’s primary physician monitoring overall health and development.
Adolescents need confidential healthcare to feel comfortable discussing sensitive topics like sexual activity, substance use, mental health struggles, and relationship concerns. California law allows minors to consent to certain medical services confidentially, and my practice respects these privacy rights while maintaining appropriate parent involvement. During appointments, I spend time alone with teenage patients, creating opportunities for private conversations where they can ask questions or share concerns they wouldn’t discuss with parents present. This confidential time builds trust and ensures teens receive necessary care and accurate information.
I explain confidentiality boundaries clearly to both parents and teens – what will remain private, what information I’ll share, and the limited circumstances where I must break confidentiality for safety reasons like suicidal plans, abuse, or danger to others. Parents appreciate that confidential care encourages honest communication, leading to better health outcomes, while teens value having a trusted adult they can talk to about difficult topics. My Beverly Hills adolescent services balance teenagers’ growing autonomy and privacy needs with parents’ appropriate involvement in major health decisions, creating a framework where everyone feels respected and informed while prioritizing the adolescent’s wellbeing.
Comprehensive sexual health education is essential for helping teenagers make informed, responsible decisions about relationships and sexual activity. I provide medically accurate, non-judgmental information about puberty, reproduction, contraception, sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention, consent, healthy relationships, and the emotional aspects of intimacy. Whether your teen is sexually active or not, these conversations are important for ensuring they have knowledge and resources needed when they eventually make choices about sexual behavior.
For sexually active teens, I offer STI testing, pregnancy testing, contraception counseling including birth control pills, IUDs, implants, and barrier methods, emergency contraception information, and treatment for infections when needed – all available confidentially under California law. I screen for relationship violence, coercion, or unsafe situations, and provide resources for teens who need support. Sexual health discussions also address topics like pornography’s impact on expectations, sexting and digital privacy, LGBTQ+ health concerns, and the importance of communication and consent in relationships. My goal is empowering Beverly Hills adolescents with accurate information and access to healthcare that protects their physical and emotional wellbeing.
Adolescent health requires a pediatrician who can connect with teenagers, respect their growing independence, and navigate the delicate balance between confidentiality and appropriate parent involvement. My Beverly Hills practice specializes in adolescent medicine, creating a judgment-free environment where teens feel comfortable discussing anything from acne to anxiety to sexual health. I’ve built trust with countless teenagers by listening without lecturing, providing honest answers, respecting privacy, and treating them as capable individuals rather than children who need all information filtered through parents.
Parents choose my practice for adolescent care because they trust me to keep their teens safe while respecting developmental needs for autonomy and privacy. I communicate effectively with both teenagers and parents, helping families navigate this challenging transition period where kids need guidance but also space to grow. My comprehensive approach addresses physical health, mental wellbeing, risk behaviors, and preventive care, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks during these critical years. Beverly Hills families appreciate my experience with teenage issues, my evidence-based medical expertise, and my genuine investment in helping adolescents become healthy, responsible adults who make informed choices about their bodies and their lives.
“Teenagers need a doctor who really listens and doesn’t judge. I’m honored when teens trust me with their struggles and questions. These years shape who they become as adults, and providing supportive, confidential care during adolescence is some of the most important work I do.”
“Anita Sabeti, MD.”Â
dolescent health services typically begin around age 11-13 as children enter puberty and start experiencing teenage physical, emotional, and social changes. However, the transition from pediatric to adolescent care is gradual rather than a specific birthday, and I adjust my approach based on each child’s individual development and maturity level. By middle school, most patients benefit from time alone with me during appointments to discuss sensitive topics privately. I continue providing adolescent-focused care through high school graduation at age 18, with some young adults remaining in my practice until they transition to adult healthcare providers.
Adolescent visits include both time with parents present and private time with just your teen and me. California law allows minors to confidentially consent to certain services including sexual health care, mental health treatment, and substance abuse services. I respect these confidentiality rights while keeping parents appropriately informed about overall health and major concerns. I explain confidentiality boundaries to both teens and parents clearly – routine health information, serious medical conditions, and general wellness guidance are shared with parents, while sensitive topics teens discuss privately remain confidential unless there’s imminent danger like suicidal plans, abuse, or threats to others requiring intervention for safety.
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During confidential time, I ask about school performance and stress, friend relationships and bullying, mood and mental health symptoms, substance use including alcohol, marijuana, vaping, and other drugs, sexual activity and relationships, safety concerns including seatbelt use and texting while driving, sleep habits, nutrition and body image, and anything else your teen wants to discuss. These conversations use screening questions recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics to identify risk behaviors and health concerns adolescents might not disclose with parents present. My goal is honest dialogue that helps me provide appropriate care, education, and intervention when needed.
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Yes, under California law, minors of any age can consent to confidential reproductive health services including birth control, STI testing and treatment, and pregnancy-related care without parent notification or permission. If a teen requests contraception, I provide comprehensive counseling about all options, discuss effectiveness and side effects, ensure they understand proper use, and prescribe or place appropriate contraception. I strongly encourage teenagers to involve parents in these discussions, but I respect their right to confidential care when they’re unwilling or unable to talk with family, prioritizing their access to healthcare that prevents unintended pregnancy and protects their health.
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I screen all adolescent patients about substance use including alcohol, marijuana, vaping, and other drugs using confidential questionnaires and private conversation. If teens report experimentation or regular use, I provide non-judgmental education about health risks, assess for problematic use or addiction, discuss harm reduction strategies, and offer support for quitting. For mild experimentation, education and follow-up may be sufficient, while concerning patterns of use may require counseling referrals, substance abuse treatment programs, or parent involvement despite confidentiality when safety is at risk. My goal is honest dialogue that helps teenagers make safer choices without fear of punishment for being truthful with me.
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I provide comprehensive pre-participation sports physicals required for school athletics and competitive sports programs in Beverly Hills and throughout California. These exams include complete medical history review, physical examination assessing cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal function, vision, and overall fitness for athletic participation, plus necessary clearances or restrictions based on medical conditions. I also provide follow-up clearances after injuries or illnesses, return-to-play evaluations after concussions, and documentation for special accommodations athletes may need. Sports physicals are typically required annually and include discussion of injury prevention, nutrition, training intensity, and recognizing when rest is needed.
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Adolescent mental health assessment includes screening for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and other concerns using validated tools and confidential discussions. When problems are identified, I determine severity, assess immediate safety, provide counseling and coping strategies for mild concerns, prescribe medication when appropriate for moderate to severe symptoms, and refer to therapists or psychiatrists for specialized treatment. I maintain ongoing involvement monitoring progress, adjusting medications, coordinating with mental health providers, and ensuring parents are appropriately involved while respecting confidentiality. Beverly Hills teens face significant academic and social pressures, and I take mental health concerns seriously, intervening early to prevent crises.
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Absolutely – I help Beverly Hills students prepare for college by ensuring immunizations meet university requirements, providing necessary health documentation and medical records, discussing healthcare plans for managing chronic conditions independently at school, writing letters for housing or testing accommodations when needed, and offering guidance on accessing health services on campus. For students with ongoing medical or mental health needs, I coordinate transition planning including finding providers near their college, ensuring medication continuity, and discussing self-management skills. I also address preventive topics like meningitis vaccination, mental health resources, sexual health, substance abuse risks, and staying healthy during the college transition.
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Adolescent resistance to healthcare visits is common, often stemming from discomfort with physical exams, fear of lectures about behavior, or general teenage reluctance toward authority. I approach resistant teens with patience and respect, explaining why visits matter, offering choices about what we discuss and examine, and building rapport before addressing sensitive topics. Many initially reluctant teenagers become more cooperative once they realize I’m not judgmental and they have privacy to discuss concerns. If your teen truly refuses necessary care, I work with parents to address underlying concerns, sometimes scheduling shorter or focused visits initially, and helping families navigate the balance between respecting autonomy and ensuring health needs are met.
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Yes, I provide affirming, knowledgeable care for LGBTQ+ adolescents, including transgender and gender diverse youth. This includes discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity, mental health support as many LGBTQ+ teens face higher rates of anxiety and depression, sexual health guidance appropriate for same-sex relationships, resources for family support and community connections, and basic guidance on gender-affirming care. For teens seeking hormone therapy or extensive gender transition services, I refer to specialized gender clinics while continuing primary care and supporting your teen throughout their journey. Every adolescent deserves respectful, competent healthcare regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, and Beverly Hills LGBTQ+ youth are welcome and safe in my practice.