The teenage years can be one of the most challenging transitional periods
As if entering high school wasn’t already challenging, today’s teens are navigating pressures more intense and complex than ever before. While juggling hormonal changes, academic demands, and rising mental health concerns, they’re also facing the constant influence of social media, evolving body image struggles, and the ongoing work of exploring their emotional, mental, and sexual identities.
The challenges teens face today are constantly evolving; often layered, deeply personal, and, at times, isolating.
Because the teen years aren't easy, and they don't come with a manual.
You are not a failure as a parent if your child needs professional help.
Many teens struggle to open up with their parents about all of the concerns they are experiencing, which may make parents feel helpless and shut out. It can be challenging to know what is part of normal teen development, and what might be a sign of something more serious. If you're here, we imagine your gut is telling you something is wrong.
At CW Therapy, we believe that mental health is just as important as physical health, and want you to know there is no shame in getting therapeutic support for your teen. Our team of therapists will work with you and your teen to develop a personalized plan to help your teen get back to the business of being a normal teen (whatever that means).
Signs of Mental Health Struggles in Teens
Keep an eye out for signs of mental health struggles in your teen. If something feels off, trust your instincts. Noticing even one sign of struggle in your child is a good reason to check in with a professional.
Changes in academic performance
Changes in mood, behaviour, personality
Challenges in multiple areas of daily life
Difficulty managing ADHD
Feeling bad about themselves
Excessive worry about the future
Expresses Hopelessness
Withdrawal from friends & family
Unusual avoidance of school
Changes in sleeping/eating habits
Negative outbursts or extreme irratibility
Self-destructive behaviours, self-harm
Difficulty Concentrating
Frequent headaches or stomachaches
Talks about death/suicide
Comments like “I wish I weren’t here”
Benefits of Therapy for Teens
Addressing mental health challenges and developing healthy self-esteem and self-care habits from a young age can help teens manage future life stressors and create resilience. Mental, emotional, and behavioural disorders in childhood can cause long-term problems that may affect the health and well-being of children, families, and communities. Treating a child’s mental health problems as soon as possible can help children reduce problems at home, in school, and in forming friendships. It can also help with healthy development into adulthood.
We understand that it takes time to build trust with teens, so the early stages of therapy usually involves asking a lot of questions about their personal life, family, school, and hobbies. Later stages of therapy can include worksheets and skills from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (CBT) to help with managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and increasing healthy coping skills. Our services are designed to help your teen develop healthy coping skills and build resilience.
Sessions are tailored to the individual needs of each teenager. This can include:
Teen attends sessions alone
Parent(s) attending the last 15 minutes of the session to discuss tools and skills to work on between sessions
Both parents and teen present for the whole session
For information on support for children aged 5-12, please visit our Child Therapy page.
Support for you as a parent
We also offer Parenting Coaching, which is a great place to start if you're not sure about when therapy for your child is necessary. Parent coaching provides personal support, no matter what stage you are in your parenting journey, and will help you develop effective parenting skills, enhance family dynamics, and promote the overall well-being of both you and your children.
Meet our experienced teen therapists
Teen Therapy is offered in Burlington, Oakville and Georgetown. Our therapists also offer virtual sessions for anyone residing in Ontario.
Book a free 15 minute teen counselling consultation today!
Available in Oakville, Georgetown & virtual
Before you begin teen counselling, you or your teen may have many questions and concerns; that's perfectly natural.
We want you to make an informed decision about child therapy. That's why, we invite you to schedule a free 15-min consultation with us.
During this initial call, you will get the opportunity to ask your questions, and we will tell you more about what to expect from our child therapy services.
PS. This call doesn't obligate you to work with us! If you have any questions before booking, use this contact form.
