COUNSELLING FOR ADOLESCENTS

The following list is a sample of common issues or concerns that bring adolescents to our office.  Read the list of questions below to see if you relate to any of them.
For teens:   

 

  • Do you feel sad? Are you moody?  Argumentative?  Critical?
  • Do you struggle to feel like you fit in?
  • Do you find it difficult to deal with your friendships, relationships, parents or siblings?
  • Do you feel alone, with no one to talk to that truly “gets you”?
  • Are you feeling angry, but don’t really know why or what to do about it?
  • Are you partying too much? Are you doing self-destructive things?
  • Are you struggling with a secret and know that you need help but feel like you have nowhere to turn?
  • Are you stressed? Overwhelmed? Anxious?
For parents:

 

  • Are you a parent who is worried about your teen? Are you concerned about your teen’s mood, choices, or behaviours, and don’t know what to do about it?
  • Do you try to talk to your teen, but just don’t know how to break through?
  • Do you find it difficult to manage your teen’s desire for independence with your need to stay connected with them?
  • Have you noticed your teen has changed in their academic, emotional and social functioning in a way that concerns you?

How psychotherapy can help:

Teens

The teen years involve major changes, in maturity, identity, and in relationship to parents and family.  While it is an exciting time transitioning into adulthood, it can also be a source of significant stress, uncertainty and emotional turmoil.  You may find that your life has become centred around the need to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance with your peers, while at the same time developing a separate identity from your parents.  Counselling is an opportunity for you to focus on some of your current struggles in a way that will make this transition easier.   You can make positive change and learn strategies and ways of thinking that you can use now, but that will also help you into your future.

Parents

A parent’s job is to eventually work themselves out of the job; meaning that your goal as a parent is to teach and guide your teen in such a way that they will eventually no longer need you to “parent” them because they have learned all of the tools, and developed the resources to make their own responsible decisions and guide the course of their own lives.  It can be a challenging time as you try to navigate your changing role, while being mindful of your teen’s well-being. Counselling can help you to understand teenage norms, and learn parenting strategies that may help to reduce the tension and conflict that may be present in your relationship with your teen.

With therapy it is possible that you can:

  • Build confidence and self-esteem
  • Learn how to make the best choices for you
  • Assert yourself with your peers and parents in a positive way
  • Manage your thoughts and emotions
  • Have healthier relationships
  • Gain coping strategies and tools to help your manage stress
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