Trusted Teen Counseling In Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario

All teens struggle at some point. Being a teen is a lot to take in! Their bodies are changing, hormones are in full effect, it’s difficult to know and show their emotions… and their relationships can be volatile, to say the least. As a parent, you may also worry about your teen's sexual activity or recreational drug use.

And being a teen is different now with social media. Many teens have a fear of missing out (FOMO), struggle with comparing themselves to others, and don’t always know if/how they fit in. It’s incredibly stressful to be a teen in the modern world.

In therapy, our teen therapists can help your teen:

• Process what’s going on in their world
• Develop different ways of managing stress and big emotions
• Learn to talk about their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors safely and productively

Over the months, you’ll get glimpses of the adult your teen is becoming: confident, grounded, mature, and responsible. It all starts with getting them professional support for their current challenges.

Therapy for Teenage Depression

Some teens go through depression growing up. And as people who love them so much, it’s hard to see them like that.

Teenage depression might show up as irritability, staying glued to their phone, volatile friendships, sulking in their room, listening to loud music, or just not appearing to be their usual selves.

Many parents wonder if their teen will be like this forever. That’s an understandable fear, and getting your teen some help can make a world of difference. Processing their emotions verbally and through therapeutic exercises like art, music, dancing, and journaling can help your teen grow into their most emotionally healthy self.

Each week, your teen will come to our Waterloo therapy office OR meet their therapist via a secure online therapy portal. Through weekly sessions, a relationship will be built with their therapist. Over time, your teen will feel more and more comfortable sharing about their story and challenges. This alone is relieving – for both your teen and you as their loving parent.

As a therapist, our job is to help your teen feel seen, heard, and valued. We work with them on their thoughts, feelings, and actions. We’ll talk about their life with them, give strategies where appropriate, guide your teen to make decisions that their future selves will appreciate, and generally be in their corner.

Most clients come weekly, with a few preferring a biweekly schedule. Sessions are a standard 50-minutes, allowing the therapist to write session notes for 10 minutes to conclude the hour. These notes are a helpful way to track your teen’s progress.

Over the months of therapy, your teen will process whatever is keeping them stuck, develop “coping skills” that they can use outside of therapy to manage their emotions, and understand themselves at a deep level. Your teen will transform for the better through the therapy process.

Helping your teen enter therapy is very easy. Our therapists are covered by most insurance and can confirm that we accept your plan before the first session.

Here’s the process for starting teen therapy at Comfort In Mind Psychotherapy:

ONE
Click the button below to send us a secure email. I’ll reply with options to schedule your free consultation, where we’ll get to know each other a bit and see about working together. You’re welcome to show up with your teen for this consultation, or to have them show up in private. Your teen must be on the initial consultation.

TWO
Your teen will meet one of our teen therapists over the phone, likely Giselle Young. This is their chance to blow off a little steam and tell the therapist whatever they’re comfortable with. Assuming there is a good therapeutic fit, we’ll move on to step three.

THREE
Your teen will meet with their therapist in person or online (telehealth) for their first full session. Then, your teen will continue meeting them every week and start untangling their struggles and building the life they deserve.

That’s it! With a simple weekly meeting, your teen can achieve relief and comfort in mind. Schedule now.

Is it normal for a 13-year-old to go to therapy?

Yes, it’s completely normal for a 13-year-old to go to therapy. Many teens benefit from having a safe, neutral space to talk about their feelings, challenges, and experiences. Therapy can help them develop healthy coping skills, build self-confidence, and navigate the turbulence of being a teen.

What age is appropriate to start therapy?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but many teens can benefit from therapy as early as age 10 or 11, depending on their emotional needs and maturity. For teens, starting therapy during challenging transitions, such as entering high school or dealing with significant stressors, can be particularly helpful. It’s also very helpful if they’re struggling with bullying and trouble fitting in.

Do your parents have to go to therapy with you?

Not necessarily. While parents are often involved in the initial stages of therapy to provide context and support, sessions with teens are typically private to foster trust and openness. However, family therapy or occasional parent involvement may be recommended if it supports the teen’s progress, and if the teen is comfortable with it.

What causes anxiety in teens?

Anxiety in teens can be caused by various factors, including academic pressure, social challenges, family issues, hormonal changes, or traumatic experiences. The constant exposure to social media and fear of missing out (FOMO) can also significantly contribute to anxiety.

Why does my teenager not want to do anything?

This could be a sign of depression, burnout, or even a normal developmental phase where they’re figuring out their identity. Therapy can help uncover underlying issues, whether they’re emotional, social, or related to physical health.

Can puberty cause depression?

Hormonal changes during puberty can influence mood and emotional regulation. While some mood swings are normal, persistent feelings of sadness, irritability, or withdrawal may indicate depression. Therapy can help teens navigate these emotions and provide tools for coping.

How do I start working with Teen Therapist Giselle Young?

Starting therapy with Giselle is easy! You can schedule a free consultation by clicking the contact button on this page, emailing her directly, or calling our office. During the consultation, you’ll discuss your teen’s needs and determine if Giselle is the right fit. From there, your teen can begin their first session and start on the path to feeling better.