Therapy for Teenagers and Young People

Growing up is hard. Today’s teenagers are navigating school pressure, friendships, identity, social media and family life, often all at once, while their brains and bodies are changing fast. It’s no surprise that many feel overwhelmed, anxious or unsure where they fit.

We offer a warm, safe space for young people aged [12–17] to talk openly, make sense of what they’re feeling, and build the skills and confidence to cope. And we support parents and carers along the way.

What we help with

Young people come to us for all kinds of reasons, including:

• Anxiety, worry and panic
• Low mood, sadness or feeling flat
• Big emotions that are hard to manage, like anger, meltdowns or shutdowns
• School stress, exam pressure, school refusal and perfectionism
• Friendship problems, bullying and social media pressure
• Low self-esteem and body image concerns
• Identity, including questions about gender, sexuality and who they are
• Family conflict, separation and changes at home
• ADHD, autism and other neurodivergent experiences
• Grief, loss and difficult or traumatic experiences

Sometimes there isn’t a clear reason at all. A young person might just seem not themselves, and that’s reason enough to reach out.

Our approach

Many teenagers arrive at therapy reluctant, sceptical or convinced it won’t help. That’s completely normal. We don’t lecture, and we don’t take sides. We work at their pace, building trust first, because nothing useful happens until a young person feels genuinely heard.

Sessions are relaxed and adapted to each young person. Some prefer to talk; others open up more while drawing, playing a game or going for a walk-and-talk. We draw on evidence-based approaches tailored to their age and needs, helping them understand their emotions, cope with stress, strengthen relationships and feel more confident in who they are.

Our practice is neurodivergent-affirming and LGBTQIA+ inclusive. Every young person is welcome exactly as they are.

Working with parents and carers

Parents play a huge role in a young person’s wellbeing, and watching your child struggle can be painful and confusing. We usually begin with an initial conversation with you, so we can understand your concerns and your family’s context.

From there, the focus is on your young person’s sessions, with regular check-ins for you where appropriate. We can also offer parenting support or family sessions if that would help.

About confidentiality. For therapy to work, young people need to feel safe to speak honestly. What they share is generally kept private, and we’ll talk with both of you at the start about what that means. The exception is if we’re concerned about their safety or someone else’s. In that case, we’ll act to keep them safe, and wherever possible we’ll involve them in that decision.

Common questions

My teenager doesn’t want to come. What should I do? That’s very common. Try framing the first session as a chance to check it out, with no commitment to keep going. Many young people who start reluctantly end up valuing having someone outside the family to talk to. We’re also happy to meet with you first to talk through how to raise it.

Will you tell me what my child says? We’ll keep you informed about how things are going and share general themes where appropriate, without breaking your young person’s trust. If there are safety concerns, we’ll always let you know.

How many sessions will they need? It varies. Some young people benefit from a handful of sessions; others need longer-term support. We’ll review progress together along the way.

Can we do telehealth? Yes. Some teenagers actually find it easier to open up from the comfort of home.

Take the first step

Whether you’re a parent worried about your child, or a young person looking for someone to talk to, we’re here. [Book online / Contact us] to arrange an initial conversation.

Need support right now? Our practice isn’t a crisis service. If someone is in immediate danger, call 000. Young people can contact Kids Helpline any time on 1800 55 1800, and Lifeline is available 24/7 on 13 11 14.