Adolescent Therapy

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For Teens

  • You feel pressure from all sides — to keep up, to fit in, and not let anyone down.

  • You’re tired of pretending to be okay when you’re not, of feeling like no one gets it.

  • Maybe you’ve tried to talk to your parents or friends about it, but they just don’t understand.

  • You want to be able to breathe and to feel like you, without the weight of it all.

For Parents

  • You’re watching your daughter struggle, and it’s heartbreaking.

  • Maybe she’s more withdrawn, overwhelmed by school and friendships, or constantly anxious.

  • You miss the light in her eyes and the connection you used to share.

  • You’re trying everything you know, but nothing seems to help. You want her to feel okay again… and you’re not sure where to turn.

Growing up can sometimes feel so hard...

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Adolescent therapy offers teens ages 12 to 17 a safe, supportive space to breathe, feel seen, and grow into who they truly are.

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What is Adolescent Therapy?

Being a teenager today can feel like carrying the weight of the world — trying to be enough, keep up, and find your place while facing overwhelming emotions and constant self-doubt.

Adolescent therapy offers a safe, supportive space for teen girls to talk about what’s really going on beneath the surface — anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, self-harm, social pressure, or just feeling lost or misunderstood.

In our work together, we help teens build emotional awareness, confidence, and healthier ways to cope. Whether it’s learning how to manage big feelings, setting boundaries, or understanding themselves better, therapy gives teens a safe space to learn how to be the best version of themselves.

Be the best you can be

Common reasons teens and parents seek therapy

  • Stress, anxiety, and overwhelm.

  • Feeling pressure from school, relationships, or life in general.

  • Struggling with confidence, negative self-talk, or discomfort with appearance.

  • Difficulties with friends both on and offline, dating, setting boundaries, or navigating social pressure and exclusion.

  • Feeling misunderstood, disconnected, or frequently in conflict with parents or caregivers.

  • Experiencing mood swings, anxiety, or trouble managing emotions in a healthy way.

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How Adolescent Therapy Can Help

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Improve Communication

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foster positive relationships

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Build Confidence

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Support healthy independence

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promote emotional health and self-expression

We use a relational and holistic approach grounded in compassion, neuroscience, and the belief that healing happens in connection. We draw from a range of evidence-based, integrative modalities to support your healing process, including:

  • Psychodynamic Therapy – to explore how early experiences and unconscious patterns influence your current relationships and sense of self.

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) – to process and resolve the impact of past trauma and distressing memories.

  • Polyvagal-Informed Therapy – to support nervous system regulation and help you feel safer in your body and relationships.

  • Attachment-Based Therapy – to foster deeper emotional security and more fulfilling connections with others.

Our Approach

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What to Expect in Therapy

Intake Session

Before the session:

  • A parent completes the required intake forms.

During the session:

  • We begin by meeting with parents to review consent and discuss the reasons for seeking support.

  • The adolescent will then join us to review assent and we will gather important history together.

  • During the final portion of the session, the adolescent will meet one-on-one with the therapist to start building rapport and ensure they are a good fit.

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Returning sessions for adolescents

Therapy is paced according to the teen’s readiness and needs.

Our work may include:

  • Understanding and regulating emotions.

  • Exploring identity, relationships, and values.

  • Processing past experiences that may be impacting the present.

  • Building confidence and supporting healthy self-esteem.

  • Learning to set boundaries and communicate effectively.

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Parenting support sessions

Support for parents to make space for:

  • Your own emotional experience as a caregiver.

  • Practical strategies for reducing conflict and building connection.

  • A deeper understanding of your teen’s inner world.

This work strengthens the foundation of your relationship and supports your child’s emotional well-being.

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Between sessions

Growth doesn’t just happen in the therapy room—it also takes shape in the day-to-day moments at home, school, and with peers. Teens are often encouraged to try out new skills or perspectives between sessions.

We invite parents to play an active, compassionate role by encouraging practice, noticing small wins, and gently modelling healthy coping and emotional regulation. This doesn’t mean being perfect; it simply means showing your teen that it’s okay to feel big emotions and that there are ways to move through them with care.

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Adolescent therapy can help your teen breathe, feel supported and understood.

Our therapists believe adolescent therapy should be collaborative, compassionate, and rooted in trust.

Let’s stay connected and curious, and walk alongside your teen as they grow.

Lets grow together

Book Now
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Meet our Adolescent Therapist

Sarah Spicer

M.C., Registered Provisional psychologist

Meet Sarah
Book with Sarah

Have more questions?

Adolescent Therapy Frequently Asked questions

  • You know your child best, so trust your instincts. If you think your child needs help, chances are you’re right. The adolescent years can be difficult. If you feel your child is overwhelmed and not managing day-to-day life, it’s better to address the potential problem than ignore it.

    Here are some warning signs that may indicate your teen may benefit from therapy:

    • Emotional or behavioural changes

    • Social withdrawal

    • Academic problems

    • Risky behaviours

  • There’s a good chance your teen knows more about therapy then you think. They may even have a friend who sees a therapist.

    When suggesting therapy to your teen focus on being supportive and explain that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. You can also explain the benefits of therapy including having a safe place to be themselves and talk about whatever they want to say with a person who is trained to listen and help.

    If your teen is really resistant to therapy, suggest they try a few sessions to start and that you will check in with them regularly to see how they are feeling about their therapist.

  • At Risewell we require a parent to complete an intake form and attend the first session with your teen.

    Once your teen is attending therapy, the therapist will figure out what level of parental involvement is best for your child. This may include occasional check-ins, attending an occasional session with your teen, or separate parenting support sessions.

    To build trust with your teen, the therapist will not share every detail of what’s discussed in sessions. Instead, they’ll provide you with general summaries and updates about progress. If any concerns about safety or risk of harm arise, you will be informed right away. At the start of therapy, the therapist will work with you and your teen to establish clear guidelines about what information will be shared, ensuring that everyone feels supported and respected.

  • Yes. Your therapist will keep you informed about your teen’s progress without breaking their trust.

    This can include regular check-ins or parental support sessions to discuss themes or tools you can use to offer support at home.

  • Therapy is different for everyone. The number and frequency of therapy sessions will depend on your child’s unique situation and needs.

    Your therapist will work with you and your teen to determine how often they will meet.

  • This can vary depending on your child and the difficulties they are facing. It can take time for your teen to trust their therapist and begin to express themselves freely. In most cases, parents will begin to notice progress in their child after 3-5 sessions.