Counselling for Teens in London, ON
Being a teen can be hard.
Teenagers are hard work—for everyone involved in their lives. There is pressure everywhere for kids of this age it seems like. Relationships, school, activities, social media, body image and family dynamics all feel amplified to the max. Both parenting a teen and being one can feel like playing a very tumultuous game of tetris—one wrong move and the whole stack comes tumbling down.
Our adolescents today are facing more pressure than ever before. With social media, cyber bullying, the high rate of divorced and blended families and body image issues, our youth face unprecedented struggles. Add to that the recent pandemic and social isolation and it’s no wonder teens and pre-teens are struggling as much as they are.
At the London Centre for Trauma Therapy, we provide expert counselling for teens. Engaging young adults in therapy can provide a multitude of benefits for their functioning and coping with everyday challenges. We provide meaningful treatment for teens which leads to lasting change and happier kids.
Depression Counselling for Teens
Depression is a serious mental health concern that causes persistent feelings of anger, lack of vitality, sadness, hopelessness and low self-worth. Depression in teenagers impacts their physical health, social and emotional relationships, outlook on life, family relationships and school work. As a parent, we all just want our kids to be happy. It can be devastating to watch your child suffering, and it is equally devastating for teens to feel hopeless and lost.
Some symptoms of depression in teenagers are:
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Feelings of sadness, sometimes with no discernible cause
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Tearfulness
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Loss of interest in activities that they once enjoyed
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Low self-esteem
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Feelings of worthlessness and shame
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Trouble thinking and concentrating
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Persistent thoughts that life is bleak and the future is hopeless
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Thoughts of suicide or death
It can be terrifying to know a teen is struggling, but here at the LCTT we are trained extensively in adolescents and we offer treatment for depression with lasting change so that teenagers can get back to building a life they love.
Teenage Anxiety
Everyone worries from time to time, and this is a normal part of life. However, some teenagers experience worries that just don’t seem to go away. When one issue gets resolved, another worry crops up. Sometimes, young adults feel constant worry and dread although nothing externally warrants the concern.
Anxiety is the worry and dread that something bad is going to happen to you and you won’t be able to cope with it. Anxiety disorders may be diagnosed when it is noticed that these worries and fears begin to interfere with the activities of daily living, or when they begin to steal the joy out of life. If your teen seems anxious in a way that is disproportionate to their circumstances, or if they are overly concerned on a consistent basis, we can help.
Signs of anxiety in teens include:
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Feeling constantly agitated, tense or restless
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Extreme self-consciousness
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Persistent worrying about things that are unlikely to occur
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Avoiding situations that make them feel uncomfortable
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Trouble eating or sleeping
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Difficulty concentrating
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Physical symptoms such as “butterflies” in the stomach, racing heart, dizziness or shakiness
At the LCTT, we offer many different approaches to treating anxiety with teens. One approach that we have tremendous success with is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT Therapy). This is a treatment that is also very useful for depression.
CBT Therapy for Teens
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a kind of psychotherapy based on the premise that how you think and act impacts the way that you feel. During CBT therapy, your teen will work with one of our incredible therapists to identify their negative beliefs or thoughts that keep them stuck in patterns that lead to distress. Their thoughts and beliefs are examined and unraveled, and then they are challenged and replaced with ideas and tools that can help these kids feel better and move forward in life with confidence and joy. We adapt this approach specifically for youth in a way that is meaningful to them.
How Therapy Can Help Teens
Working with a therapist that your teen connects with can be one of the most vital and important supports you can provide your child with. Therapy offers a safe, private, non-judgemental space where young adults can be themselves and express the thoughts and feelings that they are experiencing in an accepting environment. It is important for parents and teens to understand that what teens discuss in therapy rooms is confidential, however the therapist will work to help teens communicate with their parents about anything they are holding in.
With therapy, teens can learn to overcome limiting beliefs, find alternative ways of coping, and get support for their challenges. Teens can also learn how to handle big emotional and physical changes, as well as shifting changes in relationships (both in their friend circles and at home). Developing a trusting relationship with an adult is key for developing adults to thrive, and our therapists understand this and work relentlessly to help teens do so.