Counselling for Teenagers

Life for children and teenagers if far from easy.  Not only do they have physical and hormonal changes to deal with but they also have emotional, mental and social pressures on their plate and most children and parents don't know how to deal with them.

Emotional issues that need attention can be acted out as behavioural problems or rebellious and destructive behaviour and can create a huge strain on the parents and the family.

Some issues that children and teenagers face that I could help with are:

• Depression, anxiety and panic attacks
• Depression, anxiety and panic attacks
• Low self esteem and self image
• Family separations and breakdowns
• Blended and step family integration
• Adopted children
• Eating disorders
• Addictive behaviour such as smoking, marijuana & alcohol
• Behavioural problems
• Destructive and self harming behaviour
• Death of a parent, family member or friend

Sessions with teenagers are held with the teen and Counsellor without the parent present.  This is done to develop trust with the teenager so they can open up which is often a lot easier for them to do without the parent being present.  Meetings with the parents are scheduled in between sessions to discuss progress and desired outcomes and concerns they may have.

Most children and teenagers may be resistant to seeing a Counsellor at first but once they realise the benefit they receive from their sessions most will be happy to come.  

Children and teenagers are often easy to work with as they are much more open to change than most adults.  The bad habits or defenses they have developed have been around for a lot less time than someone who is 30, 40 or 50 so they are much more malleable to change.  Children and Teenagers often pick up the ball and run with it and change quickly making counselling a good investment in their life. 

Skills your children and teenagers will learn during these sessions will be with them for life and could be the difference between them living a happy and fulfilling life or having problems later in life. 

Imagine how different you might be if someone intervened at some of those crucial moments and helped you get back on track. 

Often it is also helpful to conduct a Family Assessment (see tab on left).  Often issues within a family will appear to be caused by one member of the family, however this is often not the case.  As children are more sensitive they tend to be more reactive to what his happening in the family environment and changes need to occur in the whole family, not just in one member.  Please feel free to discuss with me whether individual sessions for your teen or a Family Assessment is recommended.

Goals for Teen Counselling

• Ease family conflict and tension
• Help calm rebellious behaviour
• Provide an unbiased and non judgmental sounding board
• Teach open communication methods
• Help with addictions and peer pressure

Cost of Teen Counselling

Cost of sessions for teenagers is $60 for 30 minute appointments and $120 for hour appointments.  Duration of appointments is considered after initial meeting and what is best for the teen and parent.

Counselling for Children

Children's sessions are only 30 minutes in duration and are mostly held with the parent present, at least initially after which they can be changed as desired.

Due to the way children process their thoughts and feelings, different tools are used than would be used with adults.  With children art or play therapy is often used to help children get in touch with how they feel.

Appointments with both parents are also recommended if not essential during children's counselling so the problem is addressed in all areas of the family.

So if your family is feeling stressed or strained at the moment, please give me a call and see how I could help you.  Also look at the Family Assessments tab to see if this could also be of help.

Goals for Children's Counselling

• Provide an outlet for their feelings in a safe & loving environment
• Help them process how they feel so they are able to release it
• Teach them communication skills they'll have for life 

Cost of Children's Counselling

Children's counselling costs $60 for a 30 minute session.