Adolescent therapy

Navigating adolescence can be a challenging and transformative journey. We work with young people (aged 14 and up) help them overcome the unique mental health challenges they often face during this pivotal stage of life. Common adolescent mental health issues include anxiety, depression, self-esteem concerns, emotion dysregulation, and self-harm.

We work closely with adolescents, their families, and their school (if suggested) to build essential skills for emotional regulation, effective communication, and coping with the pressures of school and school refusal, peer relationships, and family dynamics, relying on evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT).

If you have any questions about how therapy is structured or how to book a session, please check out our FAQ.

After school hours child psychologist

We provide both after school and after work session times to cater for busy families. Offering child psychology services after school is important for providing convenient and timely support to children and enabling parents to be actively involved in therapy.

Involvement of the parents is especially important with attachment-based family therapy, which focuses on rebuilding the bond between adolescents and their parents.

Most typical mental health concerns of adolescents

School refusal

School refusal is a very common issue among adolescents. The most common reason behind school refusal is anxiety, either social anxiety (worried about social interactions) or performance anxiety (worried about not being able to achieve good enough results). CBT and DBT techniques work well to help the young person to attend school, despite their anxieties. Being bullied is, unfortunately, also a common contributor, in which case we also work with the school and parents to help.

Anxiety and depression

Anxiety and depression are among the most typical challenges adolescents encounter. We provide a safe and confidential space for adolescents to explore and understand the root causes of their anxiety and depression, whether it is academic stress, social pressures, or unresolved family issues. Through CBT and DBT techniques, adolescents learn to identify and challenge negative thought patterns, develop healthy coping strategies, and build resilience to manage anxiety and depression effectively.

Emotion dysregulation

Emotion dysregulation (big, hard to manage emotions) is a significant challenge for many adolescents, often leading to difficulties in managing intense emotions and impulsive behaviours. We provide a safe and confidential space for adolescents to explore and understand their emotional struggles. Using DBT, we focus on enhancing emotional awareness and regulation skills, reducing impulsive behaviours, and promoting healthier ways of coping.

Self-harm

Additionally, we recognise that some adolescents may engage in self-harm as a coping mechanism to deal with emotional pain. We approach this issue with sensitivity and a non-judgemental stance, working collaboratively with the adolescent to develop alternative, healthier coping strategies. Through therapy, we explore the underlying emotional triggers and work towards building resilience and self-compassion.

Through our therapeutic journey, we will address these challenges together, helping your adolescent develop the skills and support systems necessary to navigate the complexities of adolescence while fostering emotional well-being and self-esteem. If you have concerns about your adolescent’s mental health, please don’t hesitate to reach out — we are here to provide guidance and support.