Would it help your teenager to see a therapist?

As a parent, you want what’s best for your child. The teenage years are a time of major growth, change, and sometimes, emotional challenges. It’s not uncommon for teens to face stress related to school, friendships, social media, and their future. When these pressures begin to impact their well-being, counselling can be a powerful resource to help them navigate tough times.

Signs Your Teenager Would Benefit from Counselling

Teens may not always openly share how they’re feeling, but there are signs that may indicate it’s time to consider professional support:

• Prolonged sadness or irritability: If your teenager seems depressed, frustrated, or angry more often than not.

• Withdrawal: Avoiding friends, family, or activities they used to enjoy.

• Changes in sleep or eating habits: Is your teenager having trouble sleeping, oversleeping, or significant changes in appetite.

• Declining school performance: Having difficulty concentrating or a noticeable drop in grades?

• Anxiety or stress: Overwhelmed by pressure from school, social situations, or future plans.

• Risky behaviours: Experimenting with substances or engaging in self-harm.

If you’re noticing any of these signs, counselling could provide your child with a safe space to express their feelings and learn healthy coping strategies. It is natural for them to push back from you as their parent but they still need an adult to help them navigate these times.

I offer stressed, depressed or anxious teenagers a judgment-free zone where they can explore their emotions and gain the tools they need to handle life’s challenges. Some key benefits include:

• Improved Emotional Awareness: Teens can better understand their feelings and how to manage them.

• Stress Management Techniques: Counsellors teach valuable coping strategies for handling stress, anxiety, and pressure.

• Enhanced Communication: Therapy encourages open communication, helping your teen express their needs more effectively.

• Positive Relationships: Counselling can help your teen develop healthier relationships with family and friends.

It’s important to find a counsellor who’s a good fit for your teenager - connection is key and I feel blessed to have wonderful relationships with the teenagers I work with and am invested in their wellbeing and development. I have decades of experience working with teenagers and issues related to this stage of life. I work with a number of teens dealing with a range of issues including depression, anxiety, ADHD, grief, disordered eating and pressures of school, family dynamics and bullying. I am a mother of teens myself - I get it.

I tailor the sessions to suit the young adult I am with, how they are feeling that day and what is the major over-arching prominent in their life that they come to see me for.

How much is a session?

$160 per hour.

I do offer a discounted rate for therapy for teenagers for families in differing circumstances because I want to make sure mental health support is accessible to everyone. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss this for your child.