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TEEN COUNSELLING
"Can I be myself here?" is a question I intuitively feel from the teens that enter my room. In my work, I provide a comfortable and safe space, meeting them where they are. Together, we explore what makes them come alive, how to regulate their emotions through challenges, and how to discover their identity in a world filled with confusing messages. Often, I encounter teens who feel something is wrong with them, identifying as anxious, depressed, or insecure. As they engage in counselling and uncover their authentic selves, they learn to regulate their emotions, discover their identity, and become inspired individuals!
Common issues teenagers seek counselling for include:
- Struggling with your emotions
- Social anxiety
- Developing communication skills
- Developing coping and problem-solving skills
- Grief or sadness about losing someone you love
- Self-esteem and identity issues
- Confusion about your future
- Study stress/school issues
- Relationship stress
- Social issues such as bullying/peer pressure
- Family issues
- Gender identity issues
Some of the techniques I use in my counselling practice include:
- Counselling
- Sand Tray
- Creative Arts
- Play Therapy
The decision to attend counselling is a significant step for a teenager. There are valid concerns about what it means to seek help and the stigma associated with it. However, a large percentage of teenagers require parent support and assistance with various issues during these crucial years.
Why seek counselling for my adolescent?
The teen years present an entirely new set of goals and issues for development. During this time the adolescent brain is undergoing a transformation. There are changes and growth in structure and chemistry. This can lead to some difficult years which young people need support to navigate.
What is changing in a teenager’s world?
They are experiencing lots of intense changes:
- hormonal changes
- physical changes
- brain changes
- friends change in this time
- study demands increase
- attraction and relationships begin to happen
- worry about performance and careers emerge
- parents may divorce in these years
- grandparents may pass away in these years
The biggest changes are in the prefrontal cortex and endocrine system:
The prefrontal cortex is responsible for:
- moral thoughts
- decision making
- social behaviour
- problem solving
The endocrine system is responsible for:
- increased levels of sex hormones; testosterone and oestrogen
- increased adrenaline
- changes in physiology
- changes in brain chemistry and structure
- increased levels of sleep hormones
How do these changes affect adolescents?
During this development, they can make impulsive decisions. These decisions can have negative affects on their relationships, safety and well-being. At the same time, their social and educational settings are expanding. The demands they find imposed on them can lead to stress and emotional reactions. These are some tough years to face
Teenagers need help finding positive coping skills. With all these changes, they might adopt unhelpful coping skills:
- alcohol or drug abuse
- risk taking behaviours
- sexualised behaviour
- withdrawing
- sleeping a lot
Therapy for adolescents can help to overcome these issues before they become patterns in their lives.
Serious mental health issues can develop at this time
Between the ages of 16-25 is when many mental health issues begin to show. This can be a scary time, and could be made worse by drug and alcohol use
Teenagers need help finding positive coping skills.
With all these changes, they might adopt unhelpful coping skills:
- alcohol or drug abuse
- risk taking behaviours
- sexualised behaviour
- withdrawing
- sleeping a lot
Therapy for adolescents can help to learn to regulate themselves and utilise healthy adaptive coping skills before unhealthy ones become patterns in their lives.