Does Your Teen Seem Anxious, Depressed, Irritable, Angry, Withdrawn?

Worry that Your Teen is Being Treated Unfairly or Used by Friends or a Love Interest?

Has Your Teen Become Obsessed with His or Her looks? Body Image? Social Media?

The Teen Years Can Be A Difficult For the Whole Family

Being a teenager in modern times is more difficult than it has ever been.   No longer a child, but not yet an adult, teens struggle to define themselves in relation to their peers, make sense of their changing bodies and navigate romantic relationships. Teenagers today, through social media, have unprecedented access to the lives of others against whom they measure their worth. There is little wonder why this period is often fraught with anxiety, frustration and isolation, not only for the teen but for the entire family.  

What Is Teen Counselling And Therapy?

Teen Counselling or Adolescent Therapy addresses unique issues faced by youth during this stage of growth and development.  Expressing how they feel and how they should act can sow the seeds of confusion and self-doubt, as teens work to carve out an identity and a sense of belonging.   They may become increasingly isolated and withdrawn because of feeling alone and misunderstood.

Therapy and Counselling offer adolescents a safe and nurturing space to be seen, validated and understood.  

When to Seek Teen Counselling and Therapy 

 Changes in your teen's mood and behaviour are common and may seem to come out of nowhere. Parents may feel a strong need to help their children navigate these episodes, but often feel ill-equipped to do so. In addition, many teens may be unwilling or unable to express what they are feeling or experiencing.  If you are a parent and are having a hard time determining whether changes in your teen's behaviour are a part of normal adolescent angst, or something more serious, you are not alone. Consider seeking the help of a Counselling Associates therapist if your teen is showing any of the following signs or symptoms:

• Frequent or higher than normal levels of frustration, agitation and/or anger

• Failing, skipping, or being suspended from school

• Withdrawing or isolating from family and friends

• Changes in eating and/or sleeping habits

• Depressed mood, intense or unpredictable mood swings

• Overly anxious, fearful, worried

• Engaging in self-harming or risky behaviours, (e.g. sexually acting out)

• Talking about, threatening or attempting suicide

• Using drugs and/or alcohol

• Physical complaints of headaches or stomach aches, despite being in good health

• Involvement in a new relationship or a new group of friends

• Aggressive or violent behaviour; illegal activity

• Undergoing a major life stressor or recent trauma, (e.g. bullying, divorcing parents)

If you are a parent whose teen is dealing with these or any other issue, know that things can get better. Having the support and guidance of an unbiased and trusted therapist will strengthen your teen’s ability to resolve or manage the things causing them pain.

How  Can Teen Counselling And Therapy Help My Child?

Teen therapy can be an effective option for addressing the challenging issues that teens encounter during their adolescent years.  Adolescent therapy focuses on helping your teen to:

• Make sense of challenges and disappointments

• Enhance self-esteem, self-awareness and confidence

• Manage and/or overcome anxiety and depression

• Improve communication and self-expression

• Regulate emotions and process difficult feelings

• Learn social, interpersonal and assertiveness skills

• Improve social, peer and family relationships

• Make safe and healthy choices; improve problem-solving

• Heal from traumatic experiences such as bullying, divorce, etc.

• Develop healthy and effective ways to meet needs

• Recognize and capitalize on strengths and successes

For some parents, the decision to get your teen professional help may conjure up emotions like guilt, shame and regret. These emotions are normal and should not get in the way of getting your teen professional therapy to help get their lives back on track.

Our Approach to Working with Teens & Families

At Counselling Associates, our approach to working with teens is both strengths-based and collaborative. Using therapeutic interventions specific to adolescents, our therapists will customize therapy to fit the unique needs of your teen. Our therapists have extensive experience working with youth and recognize the powerful impact that a strong support system can have on your teen’s mental health and well-being. We encourage parental input. We will work with you to increase your understanding and capacity to respond skillfully to your teen’s unique needs and challenges. In addition, we provide updates to parents on your teen’s progress in therapy.

Many of our therapists are parents themselves and empathize with the desire of wanting to know what their teen is talking about in therapy. We understand not knowing details is sometimes difficult, and so we offer individual parent therapy and a parenting support group, to help you work through these concerns.  Safeguarding your teen’s confidentiality is an essential part of building a trusting relationship between your teen and their therapist. To talk about painful, internal struggles, teens must first trust that what they share with their therapist remains private. If concerns for their safety arise, at any point during your teen’s therapy, we will inform you right away.

With the support of an experienced Counselling Associates therapist, it is possible for your teen to learn valuable skills and new ways of communicating that can strengthen your relationship with them.  

Teen Counselling And Therapy Can Get Your Adolescent Back On Track

When teens struggle, they can impact everyone in the family. Therapy can provide a safe and non-judgmental space for your teen to articulate their story. With the support of a trusted therapist your teen can learn how to express difficult thoughts and feelings to ensure their voices are heard, their concerns addressed, and their needs are met.