Counselling for Teens
It is hard being a teenager. It feels as though no one understands you.
Some days you are moody, some days you are good. Then there are days when you just can’t get out of bed.
There are days when going to school, sitting in class and paying attention, or interacting with others, seem like such humongous tasks. Life can get pretty confusing!
We get it.
And we want you to know that you do not have to go through this alone.
The teenage years are a whirlwind of change, growth, and discovery. While often portrayed as a time of carefree independence, for many adolescents, it can also be a period of intense pressure, emotional upheaval, and significant challenges.
From navigating social dynamics to figuring out your identity, teenagers face a unique set of hurdles. When these challenges become overwhelming, professional counselling can offer a vital lifeline.
These are just some of the struggles we’ve heard from teenagers we’ve worked with – see if you can relate to any of these:
“I don’t have any friends”
“There are way too many rules! Why can’t I do what I want?” “
I haven’t been sleeping well and I don’t feel like getting up in the mornings”
“I am constantly worried that something terrible is going to happen to me or my loved ones!”
“I feel ugly and I don’t want to go out”
“I’m eating way too much”
“My friends are making me do things I don’t want to do. I don’t want to do those things, but I don’t want to lose my friends”
“I’m angry all the time, and I don’t know why”
“My parents have very high expectations of me. I can’t take it anymore”
“I’m sad and it hurts real bad”
“I don’t feel like I am good enough for anybody”
“I have thoughts of hurting myself”
When these concerns are not given a voice and a chance to be heard, it could lead to more serious issues later on in life.
Teenagers are not just “mini-adults”; their brains are still developing, and they experience emotions intensely.
Counselling can provide a safe and confidential space for them to explore and cope with a wide range of issues, including:
- Anxiety and Stress: Academic pressure, social anxieties, future uncertainties, and the constant connectivity of social media can lead to significant stress and anxiety disorders.
- Depression and Mood Swings: Hormonal changes, social struggles, and feelings of isolation can contribute to persistent sadness, irritability, loss of interest, and even clinical depression.
- Relationship Issues: Navigating friendships, romantic relationships, family dynamics, and peer pressure can be incredibly complex and a source of distress.
- Identity and Self-Esteem: Teens are actively figuring out who they are, their values, and their place in the world. Low self-esteem, body image issues, and struggles with identity can impact their overall well-being.
- Academic Struggles: Difficulties with school performance, motivation, or learning disabilities can contribute to stress and low self-worth.
- Trauma: Past or ongoing traumatic experiences, such as abuse, neglect, or significant loss, can have profound effects on a teenager’s mental health and development.
We all want to be seen, to be heard,
to be understood,
and to be accepted.
Virginia Satir, family therapist
And ultimately, we want to experience life without the fear of being our true selves.
Come in and have a chat with us.
Come for a visit and see what counselling is all about.
We know it sounds scary, but we promise you, there’s no criticizing, blaming, or judging in teen counselling, or in any type of counselling.
We are here to support you. You don’t have to go through the big emotions alone.
We have a lot of experience in counselling teens and we can help you find new and healthy ways of thinking that will improve the way you’re feeling and behaving.
We will also share some tips with you to manage the challenges in your life.
It will require some work though. Stuff to think about and do.
Stuff that will make sense to you.
And when you are ready and think that seeing a counsellor could be helpful, we are here for you. Check out some of our counsellors who have worked extensively with teens.
We want to invite you to book a 15-min free consultation with one, or two, or three, of our therapists, to find out which one you feel may be someone you would like to work with.
Read our blogs about:
- The Power of Talk Therapy: Helping Teens Build Resilience
- Suicide Rates in BC
- How Dialectical Behaviour Therapy helps with self-harm and suicidal behaviours
- Youth at risk for Mental Health Challenges in BC