Teenage Psychologist in Neutral Bay

Psychologist for teenagers

Your teenager has gone quiet, stopped wanting to go to school, or seems to be struggling and won’t say why. Our adolescent therapy is for teenagers from 14, at our clinic in Neutral Bay or by telehealth. We help them with the mental health challenges many face at this stage of life. Common issues include anxiety, depression, self-esteem concerns, emotion dysregulation, and self-harm.

We work closely with teens, 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 and after-work appointments

We offer session times after school and after work for busy families, so teenagers can attend without missing class and parents can be involved.

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

Common concerns for teenagers

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 common mental health challenges teens 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 therapy in Sydney 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.

For teenagers whose worry is about intrusive thoughts and compulsions, see OCD treatment.

We also offer both in-person and telehealth appointments, and we may suggest digital CBT tools or mindfulness apps for support between sessions.

Emotion dysregulation

Emotion dysregulation (big, hard to manage emotions) is a significant challenge for many young people, 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 and other Self-injurious Behaviours

Additionally, we recognise that some teenagers may engage in self-harm and other self-injurious behaviours as a way to cope with emotional pain. We approach this with sensitivity and without judgement, working with the teenager to develop alternative, healthier coping strategies. We also plan a workshop for parents on self-harm. Through therapy, we explore the 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.

For parents

A parent or guardian attends the first session with your teenager, so we can ask questions and gather background. After that, you, your teenager, and the psychologist decide together what works best, which can include family therapy.

Your teenager’s sessions are confidential. We will not repeat what they say, except where there is a serious risk to their safety or someone else’s. If your teenager is reluctant, it can help to present therapy as a check-up rather than a sign that something is wrong with them. Suggest coming once to see what it is like, with no commitment to continue. Some teenagers feel easier about it when they know they can meet the psychologist first and decide afterwards.

What to expect

Throughout our therapeutic journey together, you can expect a structured yet flexible approach beginning with an initial comprehensive assessment that identifies both strengths and challenges. We engage in collaborative goal-setting with input from both the teen and parents, so the therapeutic process aligns with your family’s values and needs. You’ll receive regular progress updates and treatment plan adjustments as your adolescent grows and develops. Our skill-building exercises are thoughtfully tailored to individual needs and learning styles, and we provide supportive guidance through the various developmental transitions of adolescence, helping your young person build resilience and emotional well-being that will serve them throughout their life journey.

What a Typical Session Involves

A standard 50-minute session typically begins with a brief check-in about the week’s challenges and successes. We then review any homework or practice exercises assigned in the previous session. The main therapeutic work might involve role-playing difficult social situations, practicing emotion regulation techniques in real-time, or exploring thought patterns through guided questioning. Sessions often end with creating a specific action plan for the coming week and discussing how to implement coping strategies in daily life.