Virtual & In-Person Teen Therapy in Burlington, Ontario
What is Teen Therapy?
Teen therapy, also known as adolescent therapy or teen counselling, is a form of therapy specifically designed to address the unique challenges and developmental needs of teenagers. This form of therapy is tailored to the experiences and concerns of adolescents, typically ranging from ages 12-18.
What Can Teen Therapy Help With?
Teen therapy addresses a variety of issues commonly faced during adolescence, including:
- Mental health concerns: teen therapists help adolescents cope with anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem issues, mood swings, and other mental health challenges.
- Harmful behaviours: therapy can address issues such as impulse control, substance use, self-harm, and other potentially risky behaviours.
- Family conflict: adolescents may receive support in navigating family conflicts, communication issues, and relationship dynamics with parents and siblings.
- Peer relationships: teen therapists assist adolescents in developing healthy peer relationships, dealing with peer pressure, and coping with social challenges such as bullying or exclusion.
- Academic stress: therapy can help teens manage academic stress, test anxiety, perfectionism, procrastination, and motivation issues.
- Identity exploration: adolescents may explore issues related to identity, sexuality, gender identity, cultural identity, and existential questions.
- Life transitions: therapy supports teenagers in coping with significant life transitions such as parental divorce, relocation, starting high school or college, and transitioning to adulthood.
- Trauma and PTSD: therapy can help adolescents process traumatic experiences and address the impact these experiences may have on their development and overall well-being.
Teen therapy sessions may involve various therapeutic approaches, including talk therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), emotionally focused therapy (EFT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and more. The therapist creates a supportive and nonjudgmental environment to help teenagers explore their thoughts, feelings and behaviours, develop coping skills, build resilience, and work towards positive change.
What to Expect in a Teen Therapy Session
Teen therapy sessions typically involve several key processes:
- Check-in: the therapist might start by asking how you’re feeling and if there’s anything specific you’d like to discuss.
- Discussion: You’ll have the opportunity to talk about issues or concerns you’re facing, such as school stress, family conflicts, relationship problems, or emotional struggles.
- Exploration: The therapist may ask questions to help you explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours more deeply, aiming to understand the underlying causes of your difficulties.
- Skill-building: Depending on your needs, the therapist may teach you coping skills, relaxation techniques, or communication strategies to help you manage your emotions and navigate challenges more effectively.
- Feedback: you’ll have the opportunity to provide feedback on the therapy process, including what’s been helpful and what you might need more support with.
- Goal-setting: together with the therapist, you’ll identify goals for therapy and discuss steps you can take to work towards them.
- Closure: The session will typically end with a summary of what was discussed and any tasks to work on before the next session.
Throughout the session, the therapist will provide support, validation, and guidance, creating a safe and confidential space for you to express yourself and work towards positive change. Each therapy session is tailored to your individual needs and goals, so the specific activities and focus may vary from session to session.