counselling for teenagers
The needs and challenges of adolescence can sometimes be overwhelming.
Parents most often hope for independence and happiness for their teens. They want them to learn who they are and who they want to become,so they can make good choices and live a healthy, fulfilling life.
Counselling Can Help Teens:
Work though anxiety and depression, learning what’s normal and how to cope with difficult feelings
Heal from traumatic experiences, such as bullying
Become more resilient and able to cope with problems in school and family life
Improve self-esteem
Learn skills for developing friendships
Support personal development to aid transition to independent adulthood - for example, career exploration, goal setting - exploring "who am I and who do I want to be?"
Make life decisions
Signs Your Teen May Be in Need of Teen Therapy:
Abnormal amount of anger, acting out, arguing or changes in eating habits
Changes in academic or athletic performance
Engaging in risky or self-harming behaviours
Teen appears sad more than normal, lives in isolation or has large swings in mood
Teen has changes in groups of friends – i.e., hanging out with different people and ignoring old friends
Changes in activities they once loved
Aggressive behavior towards others
Changes in sleep patterns
Complains of: headache, stomachache, or not feeling well despite being healthy
Major changes to family life – i.e., divorce, re-marriage or death
sexual, physical, or emotional abuse
problems with drugs or alcohol
Other helpful resources
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or Text CONNECT to: 686868
Attention, Memory and Executive Function Strategies for Children
Mindshift app : To Help Teen and Young Adults Cope with anxiety
Why do many psychiatric disorders emerge during adolescence?
resources for teens & children
To start counselling now:
meet our teen counsellors
[ Open All | Close All ]Alissa Caskey
Working with teens, I bring a blend of compassion and understanding to help navigate the unique challenges of adolescence. ...read more
...My approach is to create a safe space where teens can explore their identity, manage emotional stress, and build resilience for the future, all underpinned by my trauma-informed training and dedication to positive psychology.Alissa's Full Bio
Allison Paré
When I engage with teenagers, I strive to strike a balance between structure and flexibility.
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...When working with teens, my primary focus is on establishing a strong therapeutic relationship to understand their unique perspectives and needs. By doing so, I work with them to develop a robust toolbox of coping skills tailored to navigate the challenges of adolescent life effectively. I aim to empower teens with the resilience and strategies they need to thrive amidst the complexities of life.Allison's Full Bio
Andrea Black
Being a teen is difficult, especially now with the additional pressures and expectations from online forums.
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...Adolescence is a time for youth to learn more about themselves, how to create healthy habits, especially in sleep, and how to navigate social interactions. Therapy is a space to explore and learn skills that can build understanding and healthy habits in all aspects of our life.Andrea's Full Bio
Candice Rockwell
When I engage with teenagers, I strive to strike a balance between structure and flexibility.
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I prioritize learning from them and empowering their ability to analyze information, think critically, and make informed decisions. This requires me to actively listen, skillfully question, and set attainable goals.Candice's Full Bio
Cathy Danilec
My work with adolescents uses curiosity and creativity to support teens with a variety of different needs including
anxiety, depression, identity, self-esteem, communication, and navigating change...read more
I use a combination of talk therapy and art therapy depending on teen interests to guide self-discovery and help teens make sense of the world around them. I also believe that learning skills and strategies to cope empowers teens to thrive and
incorporate psychoeducational components such as stress management, emotional regulation, and healthy relationships into sessions as they relate to client goals.Cathy's Full Bio
Chelsey Wood
Some experts have dubbed today’s youth, “the most stressed generation”. It’s a time of identity formation while also aiming for good grades, searching for solid friends, contemplating relationships, working toward independence, and so on. ... read more
Today, however, there are a multitude of other dynamics contributing to elevated levels of stress – the popular inundation of social media with its constant comparison, the steep competition that comes considering post-secondary, and imagining a life after high-school. It’s a lot! It can manifest in anxiety, depression, lower self-esteem, and self-harming behaviours. I work to build strong relationships and help young people find ways to shoulder their stress and many worries. Chelsey Wood's Full Bio
Christine Crocker
Often parents/caregivers are worried about their adolescent’s emotions or behaviour. They wonder: Are they coping? Is this developmentally appropriate? Are my youth’s emotions or behaviour something to be concerned about? ...read more
A therapist can work together with parents and their adolescent, to identify useful and new coping skills to add to their toolbox. As a therapist, I often explore with youth questions like “who am I, who do I want to be or what am I thinking or feeling?” I often explore with parents “what are your dreams and hopes for your adolescent”? I also help parents understand what is developmentally appropriate and explore best parenting strategies for this often confusing stage.
Here are 2 quotes that speak to me about teens, that I hope will offer some solace to parents who are struggling:
William Galvin
Mother Nature is providential. She gives us twelve years to develop a love for our children before turning them into teenagers.
Virginia Satir
Adolescents are not monsters. They are just people trying to learn how to make it among the adults in the world, who are probably not so sure themselves.
Christine Crocker's Full Bio
Cynthia Smith
Whenever I work with teens, I am amazed by their abilities and potential. It amazes me how intelligent and talented
teens are, and how it feels that they are so advanced compared to when I was a teen... read more
Teens face many challenges and I feel that my role with teens in counselling is to support them in discovering these abilities and talents, and apply them to their emerging sense of self and identity. I believe that it can be hard for teens to
"just talk," and as a result, I use a variety of creative approaches to engage teens in their counselling journey.
Cynthia's Full Bio
Emily Collins
Prior to completing a Masters in Counselling, I worked with children and adolescents for over ten years in various settings from early childhood education to creative learning environments.
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Navigating the world as a child/adolescent can often be difficult and confusing. The minds of youth are extremely active as they are forced to absorb knowledge and skills to exist in this world. I truly enjoy helping youth to understand and articulate these difficult feelings while fostering their sense of self. I like to draw upon the special outlooks youth have on life while tapping into their innate wisdom of themselves. Identifying what is happening on the “inside” is an important step in recognizing and understanding how a youth shows up on the “outside”.
Emily's Full Bio
Erica Burdzy
Navigating adolescence can be incredibly challenging. My approach focuses on cultivating a strong therapeutic bond with adolescents to assist them in managing a variety of issues related to self-esteem, stressors, and other mental health challenges. ... read more
Together, we explore ways to create a supportive environment that promotes trust and open dialogue. I use a range of therapeutic modalities tailored to each teen's age and interests. Additionally, I collaborate with caregivers in strengthening their relationships with their teens.
Erica's Full Bio
Jean-Luc Roy
Honing our understanding of the world through our own eyes and developing positive paths of communication can be difficult for us all. ..read more
As teenagers, life and a clear path for your future can be all the more complicated to discern. In my previous role working with a high school as a mental health therapist, I have found developing the therapeutic relationship to be the key factor as we collaborate on how best to move forward in a positive direction and take on life’s challenges with the best tools for you.Jean-Luc's Full Bio
Jennifer Charlicki
My approach to working with teenagers is to empower them to take the lead and help build confidence and assertiveness in communicating their needs...read more
Teen years are a very challenging time, and it is incredibly important to ensure that teens feel resourced. Therefore, my aim is to help model a healthy relationship, create a safe space to be open and learn, and to expand their toolbox to aid in a variety of concerns.Jennifer's Full Bio
Jesse Anderson
My approach to working with teens (13-17) is to go even harder as a listener! ...read more
Teens usually have enough people in their lives telling them what they’re supposed to do. I work really hard at listening so I can help teens understand what they’re actually going through and what they need.Jesse's Full Bio
Kira Charanduk
Experiencing trauma, whether it's a single incident or a series of events, can have a lasting impact on our lives...
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As this is a transition period throughout life I strive to work with my adolescent clients, as well as their families, through creating communication, connection, relationship, understanding, and compromise. This is such a valuable age in which
development and learning occurs rapidly. I strive to work along-side my adolescent clients and their parents developing a therapy that will fit the needs and individual.
Kira's Full Bio
Lori Tiemer
I have experience counselling teenagers dealing with concerns such as anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. I also
have experience working with teenagers in group settings, counselling them on career and educational planning... read more
Through the development of an accepting and collaborative therapeutic relationship, teenagers can work through their concerns and experience personal growth. Depending on the teen’s preference, we may spend our sessions talking or incorporating
different modalities such as art or sand tray therapy.
Although much of my time with be spent with the teenager individually (if they are comfortable with that), it is also important that the parent(s)/caregiver(s) are involved (to an extent that does not intrude on the personal privacy of the teen).
This may occur through individual parental consultations and/or parent/teen sessions, if appropriate. Lori's Full Bio
Lindsey McColl
Adolescence can be a very difficult time to navigate. Everything seems to change so quickly and so immensely that it
can be quite overwhelming... read more
I work to build a strong therapeutic relationship with teens in order to help them cope with self-esteem and identity issues, everyday stressors and mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and self-harm. I use a variety of modalities
with teens, depending on age and interest, from sand tray and art therapy to more traditional talk therapy. I also work with caregivers on parenting and relationship building with their teens.
Lindsey’s Full Bio
Marti Lysek-Behiels
I am a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists and a member of the Psychologists
Association
of Alberta. I have worked with children, adolescents, adults, families and couples in a variety of
settings including non for profit and school settings... read more
I work with adolescents where they are at in a non-judgemental, empathic way. I empower adolescents to take ownership of their choices and I suggest tools and ideas to deal with issues like depression, anxiety, anger, frustration and low
self-esteem. Within the family system I support the adolescent to try to dissolve the blocked trust and I support the caregivers to heal the blocked care. Marti's Full Bio
Nicholas Renaud
With over 15 years of experience working with young adults and their families, I understand the unique challenges
that
take place during this transitional age... read more
I have supported adolescents with a wide variety of issues such as depression and anxiety, substance use and process addictions, emotion and anger management, self-harm, sexual and gender identity, and interpersonal conflict. As well, support and
education for caregivers can be crucial to helping to ensure young adults have the resources they need to navigate these difficult issues. Nicholas' Full Bio
Nikita Eglinski
Being a teenager has a significant amount of changes, pressure, and development. These years are fundamental towards learning about our identities, our boundaries, and our expectations. However, trying to navigate through the changes of school, responsibilities, relationships, and the understanding of who we are is not always smooth sailing. ...read more
...For many, this is the age where we experience a whole lot of ‘firsts’. It may be the first time we have been hurt by someone emotionally, gone through a major lifestyle change, or decided to explore a part of our identity that we have not yet expressed as a child. Trying to find our way amongst all of this sometimes needs another pair of eyes. My role as a therapist is to help you through this process. By exploring what is adding to your plate and where you need some help unloading, I find that together we can work through solutions and strategies to lessen the weight you may be feeling.Nikita's Full Bio
Robin Klasson
I enjoy working with teens, and have experience working with teens addressing concerns about addictions... read more
...When helping adolescents understand their feelings and needs so they can make better choices, I draw on creative movement (if the teen is interested in this modality), as well as meaningful conversations. I have deep respect for the wisdom
adolescents bring to their own experience. My therapeutic approach to supporting adolescences is based in developmental theories and an attachment perspective.
Robin's Full Bio
Rebecca Bonham
The teenage years are a time of significant upheaval in the adolescent’s life: emotionally, socially, physiologically, and developmentally. This can lead to many challenges as questions of identity arise, stressors overwhelm, or words seem inadequate to express what is happening inside. ...read more
...This can be a time of uncertainty for parents as well, as they seek new ways to connect and communicate in the midst of these many changes. I will work with you and your teen to explore the landscape of their experience and identity; to build communication skills so they can talk about their feelings and needs; to strengthen their self-confidence and access self-compassion; and to provide healthy coping skills and resources. I will also provide parenting support to help you nurture a secure attachment with your teen so that your relationship can weather tumultuous times ahead.
Rebecca's Full Bio
Roger Thiessen
Today’s young people face unique challenges. ...read more
...Let’s explore them together so that you can look forward to a bright future!
Roger's Full Bio
Sabrina Roach
Adolescence is an incredibly important and experiential time of passage. I believe that our childhood experiences have a substantial impact on who we become in adulthood. ...read more
...Our teenage years are filled with exploration, identity formation, and relationship building that helps integrate us into society. I provide a secure base for my clients to feel safe and accepted during challenging stages of their lives. I strive to build a strong therapeutic alliance with youth to facilitate a positive therapeutic experience.
Sabrina's Full Bio
Shedean Jones
Working with teens requires a delicate balance of empathy, trust-building, and understanding. I aim to create a safe space where teens feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and emotions without fear of judgment. ...read more
...I utilize a person-centred approach, ensuring that each teen feels heard and respected in their unique experiences. CBT is often employed to help teens develop healthier thinking patterns and coping strategies for the challenges they face. In therapy, I aim to empower teens, helping them build resilience and confidence as they navigate the complexities of adolescence.
Shedean's Full Bio
Viktoriia Brzhezytska
Teen years can be fun, but also confusing and very stressful for teenagers, as well as for their parents. Moodiness, strong emotional reactions and change in the behavior can contribute to arguments with parents and misunderstandings ...read more
...This is the time when teenagers still need love, support, care and guidance from parents but also have a strong need in developing autonomy, independence and understanding of themselves. For the last 10 years, I have been working with teens and their parents focusing on building strong teen -parent’s relationships that are so vital for them. Having good relationships with parents and friends are extremely important for teens healthy development. Another focus of my work with teens is helping them build needed skills to better understand themselves and others, so that they are more prepared to navigate through challenges of teenage life and beyond.
Viktoriia's Full Bio
Warren Tews
Teen years can be fun, but also confusing and very stressful for teenagers, as well as for their parents. Moodiness, strong emotional reactions and change in the behavior can contribute to arguments with parents and misunderstandings ...read more
...This is the time when teenagers still need love, support, care and guidance from parents but also have a strong need in developing autonomy, independence and understanding of themselves. For the last 10 years, I have been working with teens and their parents focusing on building strong teen -parent’s relationships that are so vital for them. Having good relationships with parents and friends are extremely important for teens healthy development. Another focus of my work with teens is helping them build needed skills to better understand themselves and others, so that they are more prepared to navigate through challenges of teenage life and beyond.
Warren's Full Bio
Resources for teenagers
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the right fit
At River’s Edge Counselling Centre, we work with each new client to ensure they are matched to the right therapist. See how we do it: