Teenagers are navigating a transformative period of life, from developing identities to increasing expectations.
It’s not uncommon for emotional and social pressures to leave your teenager feeling confused, stressed, lonely, or lost.
And that’s where our registered clinical counsellors can help. We work with adolescents to better express their thoughts and feelings, and learn new ways to handle setbacks or challenges.
As many of our teen clients prefer to talk, we offer a warm and supportive space for them to discuss what’s going on in their world, with the option of incorporating art therapy if this matches their personality and preferences. You’ll often find us discussing an important topic while doodling, drawing, playing board games, or even walking around the clinic to help your teen feel comfortable.
Counselling For Teenagers Helps With:
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Impulsive behaviour
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Anxiety / worries
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Aggressive / explosive behaviour
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School refusal
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Bullying
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Social difficulties
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ADD/ADHD
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Defiant behaviour
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Self-esteem issues
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Self-harm/suicidality
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Depression
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Gender identity and sexual orientation
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Separation and divorce
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Transitions (e.g. starting high school, moving, change in sports, or living arrangements, etc.)
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Traumatic events (e.g. sexual abuse, domestic violence, grief, death in the family, etc.)
Working Together
Every teen is unique, which is why we tailor our counselling sessions to meet their specific needs. However, in general we propose the following:
Optional intake session with parents/guardians/caregivers: before meeting your teen, we can schedule a time to discuss concerns, observations, goals for therapy, and brainstorm new strategies to try at home.
Working with teens: regular weekly or bi-weekly 50-minute sessions are recommended to develop trust and practice new skills, ways of thinking, and ways of being.
Optional debrief with caregivers: we understand that teenagers have the right to confidentiality. We also understand that parents have concerns and want to support their teen's journey. Please know we work systemically and encourage teens to allow us to update parents on their progress.
After Counselling,
Watch Your Teenager:
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Better regulate emotions and behaviour
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Increase sense of control
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Feel motivated
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Relate better with friends
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Increase self-confidence
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Express anger in a safer way
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Decrease anxiety and tame worries
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Practice new social skills
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Cope with trauma and grief
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Solve problems and try different solutions
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Adjust to changes in the environment
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Self-advocate and increase their coping skills
We are immensely grateful for the incredible support provided during a challenging time with our teenage son. (Strong Ties Counselling) is superskilled, empathetic and the approach made all the difference... we can't recommend enough.
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What are the signs my child needs therapy?There are many signs children display that let us know they are struggling. In children and preschoolers, some of the most common are: Excessive tantrums and outbursts Changes in behaviour, such as refusing to eat or bed-wetting Social withdrawal and visible anxiety / nervousness Aggressive behaviour towards self or others Repetitive behaviour or rituals like washing hands Signs of teenagers struggling include: Persistent mood swings and angry outbursts Withdrawal from family and friends Decline in academic performance Talk of self-harm or suicide Changes in behaviour, such as inability to sleep or substance use If you’re concerned about your child’s well-being, we’re happy to discuss counselling and see if it’s a good fit. Our therapists work with parents to assess behaviours, and together, find ways to help your child improve their thoughts, feelings, and coping skills.
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Who is child therapy for?Child counselling is for any child aged 3-11. Teen counselling is for any child aged 12-17. We welcome all types of family units, from blended families and single-parent-families to a diverse range of ethnicities, religions, gender expressions, and socioeconomics. No matter your child’s background or circumstance, we offer quality services to help them overcome any challenges they’re currently facing.
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How involved will I be in my child's therapy?At Strong Ties, we value the involvement of parents/guardians/caregivers when it comes to the health and well-being of your child. With kids aged 3-14, although we provide 1:1 counselling sessions, our therapists will always include continuous updates, check-ins and debriefs afterwards, as well as tools and insights you can apply at home. Our registered clinical counsellors for teenagers always respect our client’s right to privacy. However, we do encourage teens to allow us to share updates on their progress, as well as insights or tools that can be implemented at home for extra support.
Ready to work alongside a registered clinical counsellor for teenagers?
Get in touch today for more information or to book your first appointment. Our therapists for teenagers are here to support your child with the tools and resources to help them move forward and grow. We proudly serve Langley, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Burnaby, Port Moody, Pitt Meadows, and Maple Ridge.