Teen & Young Adult Health
Make an Appointment
For many teens, health concerns can seem difficult to address. Maybe you feel completely healthy. Or maybe you're stressed but unsure when it's time to talk to a doctor about it. Even if you feel fine, it’s important to see a nurse practitioner or doctor at least once a year. We can find health problems that you can’t see or feel. We can also help you stay healthy, inside and out.
Depressed or overwhelmed? We can help you better handle the pressures of school, home and friends, too.
Care for Teens & Young Adults at UVA Health Children's
At the Teen and Young Adult Health Center, we provide:
- General healthcare for patients from ages 13-25
- Immunizations
- Evaluation and treatment of teen mental health issues
- Acne treatment and skin problems
- Reproductive healthcare, including prenatal care
- Low-cost physicals
- Sports physicals — bring a completed sports physical form (PDF)
We also consult on children younger than 13 for areas where we can offer particular expertise. That includes problems like eating disorders as well as precocious puberty.
Free Resources for Teen Health
Breathing Space Program
It's often hard to talk to your parents about issues like birth control, pregnancy, mental health, sexuality, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). During this free one-on-one office visit, we'll help you figure out ways to talk to your parents about your health.
Emergency Birth Control
We offer free emergency birth control, which should be used within five days of unprotected sex. (Remember, Plan B isn't as effective as regular birth control and doesn't protect you against sexually transmitted infections.)
A Clinic For Unique Needs
Our Teen and Young Adult Health Center provides primary care for teenagers and young adults up to age 25. We're specially trained to work with adolescents and help young adults with the unique challenges they face.
See the ClinicYour Privacy as a Teen or Young Adult
You can come to your appointment alone or bring your parents with you.
When possible, we'll respect your wishes to keep your care private. But we also believe it's important to include an adult you trust when you're making important decisions. We can help you find ways to talk to the adults you trust.
Under Virginia law, as a teenager, you can consent to receive care like an adult for issues related to:
- Mental health
- Substance abuse
- Birth control
- Pregnancy
- Testing for sexually transmitted infections
For all other care, your parents must give consent.
UVA Health Children's doesn't discriminate, exclude, or treat differently patients or visitors based on their race, age, color, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression.
UVA Health Children's is a community of healing, compassion, inclusion, and respect for all. Discrimination and prejudice have no place here. See our non-discrimination policy.
For Parents
You don’t have to do it alone.
- We want you to use us as a resource for advice and to feel confident you’re doing what’s best for your teen.
- We welcome parents who are actively involved in their children’s health and well-being.
- We respect our young patients’ wishes for privacy. But for issues like substance abuse and sex, we encourage our patients to always confide in their parents or adults they trust.
Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19
COVID-19 vaccinations are now available for everyone ages 6 months and up. To make an appointment, call us or use MyChart.
Teen & Young Adult Health
Teen Health Stories & Resources
08/25/2025
Why Are Girls with Autism Diagnosed Late?
Masking, social expectations, and different symptoms mean many girls are diagnosed with autism later in life, often in their teens.
05/21/2025
Self-Diagnosis and Social Media: Tips for Talking to Your Kids
Social media has increased awareness for many medical conditions. But it's also led to a rise in kids self-diagnosing based on limited info.
01/22/2025
When Is Heavy Period Bleeding a Problem?
Wondering what's normal and what's not when it comes to losing blood during your period? Here's how to know when it's too heavy.
08/11/2022
Is This Normal? My Teens’ Gen Z Characteristics & Slow Adolescent Development
Informed, full of worldly opinions, but cautious, reserved: I don't get my teens' Gen Z characteristics. A teen psychologist explains what's going on.
04/20/2022
The Kids Are Not All Right: COVID’s Toll on Teenage Mental Health
Teenage mental health has worsened over the past 2 years. Here's why and what parents can do.
05/26/2021
Cutting, Not Coping: How A Mom Helped Her Daughter Address the Urge to Self-Harm
When Holly saw the scars on her daughter, she knew it was a cry for help. Read her story and more in our latest family health magazine.
09/16/2020
7 Quick Questions with Pediatric Radiologist Reza Daugherty, MD
Pediatric radiologist Reza Daugherty, MD, is a former pediatric ER doctor. He loves helping kids and their families.
07/21/2020
Q&A: Should Kids Go Back to School During the Coronavirus Pandemic?
Are kids less likely to transmit coronavirus? What's the best approach for safe learning? Our experts weigh in.
07/09/2020
7 Quick Questions with Pediatric Allergist Jonathan Hemler
As a pediatric allergist, Jonathan Hemler, MD, diagnoses and treats kids who have food allergies. He also researches the causes and treatments of these allergies. He’s especially interested in: The organization Food Allergy Research & Education recently named UVA as a Discovery Center of Distinction. This recognizes our care for patients with food allergies. It […]