Counselling for teens 12+ | City Centre Counselling
Teen Counselling
Medicine Hat + online teen counselling from anywhere in Alberta
Is your teen struggling?
Whether your teen is entering adolescence, transitioning to young adulthood, or somewhere in the middle, many teens struggle as they try to define who they are, who they want to be, and how to get there successfully.
Have you noticed a change in your teen’s mood? Appearance? Or behaviour? Do they seem more withdrawn and depressed? Or maybe they're more irritable and conversations quickly turn into arguments?
Adolescence can be a time of both insight and insecurity.
During this transitional period, young people can struggle as they experience many physical, emotional, and social changes. Not only are their bodies and minds changing, but young people also face many difficult choices around friendships, academics, sexuality, alcohol and drugs, relationships, and the future.
The pressure to "get it right" can leave your teen feeling overwhelmed. Often feeling as if nobody understands them, to manage these difficult feelings teens may turn to unhealthy coping strategies such as excessive technology use, alcohol, drugs, or self-harm.
Raising children isn't an easy job; raising a teen can come with another whole set of challenges.
As young people start to form their own identities and define themselves independently of their parents and families it's no wonder that worry, tension, and conflict are "typical" (albeit challenging) responses to the changes that you and your teen are experiencing.
As a mother of five (my youngest is 16), I appreciate the struggles that go along with being a young person and a parent to a young person. Reaching out for support isn't easy but it can help.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN TEEN COUNSELLING
City Centre Counselling offers a welcoming and safe space where teens can let go of the pressures from the outside world and be themselves, without judgment.
My services are trauma informed, culturally responsive, open, and affirmative, supportive to teens of all genders, sexual orientations, backgrounds, ethnicities, and religious practices.
I believe parents know their teen best, my role is to listen, learn, and provide your teen with opportunities for self-exploration, skill development, and growth.
HOW I CAN HELP
I meet your teen "where their at" and together we’ll develop a personalized plan based on their needs and goals.
This means if your teen is struggling with their emotions I can help them learn about and manage their mood through a variety of emotion regulation techniques. This can help them better cope with the day-to-day stressors and uncertainties of adolescence.
Or if you've noticed your teen is overly self critical or struggles with anxiety, I can help them learn to identify negative thinking pattens using cognitive behavioural therapy. This approach helps teens better understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviour.
And using a strength-based lens, I'll help your teen do more of what works, acknowledging not only what may not be working but what they're already doing well.
No matter the issue, counselling can help your teen learn new ways of understanding themself and others and can provide them with the skills they need to navigate adolescence more confidently. Ultimately, this can lead to greater success at home, school, and in other areas of their lives.
Common Issues Addressed In Teen Counselling:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Managing ADHD
- Behavioural issues
- Loss and grief
- Fears and phobias
- Substance use
- School concerns
- Divorce or separation
- Parent-teen conflict
- Self-harm
- Peer relationships and bullying
- Dating
- Emotions
- Social skills
- Self-esteem, confidence, and identity
- Body image and eating concerns
- Sexual health
- Trauma
Unsure how to manage your teen's moods and behaviour? Are you worried about your teen? When you're ready, I'm here.
Common Questions
What age qualifies for teen counselling? What is the cost?
What age qualifies for teen counselling? What is the cost?
What age qualifies for teen counselling? What is the cost?
Counselling for teens includes youth who are 12 to 17 years old. If your child is 11 years of age, feel free to reach out, preteens are welcomed at City Centre Counselling.
Teen counselling sessions are $90.00 for a 60-minute session. If you do not have insurance, I offer a sliding scale fee to accommodate your financial needs. To learn more about what to expect at City Centre Counselling, check out FAQ.
Do parents attend counselling with their teen?
What age qualifies for teen counselling? What is the cost?
What age qualifies for teen counselling? What is the cost?
Counselling is most effective when trust exists between me and your teen. Privacy is a significant aspect in building and maintaining that trust. To ensure I balance your teen's 'right to privacy' while at the same time respecting your 'right to information' as the parent, parents are included in the first teen counselling session and at times, may participate in subsequent sessions, otherwise I meet with your teen individually.
However, I involve parents in the process with ongoing updates of their teens progress, which may include general themes, strategies, and recommendations.
I believe supporting parents to help them to better understand their teen's behaviour and find new ways to connect gets the best results. I offer parenting support sessions separate from your teen's counselling.
These sessions provide an opportunity for parents to share their own concerns related to parenting as well learn ways to best support their teen during adolescence.
Is counselling confidential for my teen?
What age qualifies for teen counselling? What is the cost?
Do parents need to consent for their teen to attend counselling?
Yes. All clients are entitled to confidentiality in counselling. Any information that your teen shares with me in their teen counselling session will remain confidential, unless they give me permission to share.
However, there are a few situations where I may not be able to guarantee confidentiality:
- If I believe that your teen is at serious risk of harming themselves or others,
- If there is a disclosure that a child or a vulnerable person is being abused or neglected, and
- If a request is made for information by a court of law.
In these instances, every reasonable effort will be made to discuss these circumstances with you prior to the involvement of other professionals and I'll disclose the least amount of confidential information necessary to a third party to contribute to conditions for safety.
Do parents need to consent for their teen to attend counselling?
We are divorced. Does my ex-partner need to give consent for our teen to attend counselling?
Do parents need to consent for their teen to attend counselling?
When working with minors (individuals under the age of 18) parental written consent is required. However, there are some exceptions and these can be discussed during the initial free 30-minute phone consultation.
But generally speaking, once you've booked an appointment you'll receive an online intake/consent form. I encourage both you and your teen to read, fill out, and sign prior to your teen's first appointment. Then in the first session, with at least one parent and your teen, I'll start with a process called informed consent.
I'll provide, review, and offer to discuss and answer any questions related to my procedures, your rights, and your responsibilities as a client. For example, the right to attend counselling voluntarily, to refuse or withdraw at any time, and the right to confidentiality. This allows you and your teen to make an informed decision to participate in teen counselling.
We are divorced. Does my ex-partner need to give consent for our teen to attend counselling?
We are divorced. Does my ex-partner need to give consent for our teen to attend counselling?
We are divorced. Does my ex-partner need to give consent for our teen to attend counselling?
Great question. When working with teens with separated or divorced parents, I require consent from both parents if you have shared custody.
However, there may be situations where this is not in the best interest of your teen. To address any of your concerns related to consent or for any other counselling questions get in touch today!
Can my teen meet online for counselling?
We are divorced. Does my ex-partner need to give consent for our teen to attend counselling?
We are divorced. Does my ex-partner need to give consent for our teen to attend counselling?
Yes, teens can meet online for counselling. At City Centre Counselling ALL services are available in person, online, and through a hybrid approach (combining both in person and online sessions).
To ensure your teen will have a positive online experience, check out online therapy. Or click the button below to schedule an appointment.
CITY CENTRE COUNSELLING
641 4 Street SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 0L1, Canada
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