Support & Guidance Through Adolescence

Teenage years are a time of significant change, growth, and challenge. Navigating academic pressures, social complexities, identity formation, and intense emotions can feel overwhelming. At Touch Brain Counselling, we provide specialized therapy services tailored for adolescents (ages 13-18). Our experienced teen therapists offer a confidential, non-judgmental space for teens across the Tri-Cities to explore their concerns, develop coping strategies, and build resilience for a healthier future.

Why Might a Teenager Consider Counselling?

Adolescence brings unique pressures. Having a neutral, supportive professional to talk to outside of family and friends can make a significant difference. Engaging in counselling can empower teenagers in many ways:

• Develop effective coping strategies for stress and difficult emotions.
• Improve emotional regulation and impulse control.
• Increase self-awareness, self-acceptance, and confidence.
• Build healthier communication and relationship skills.
• Reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns.
• Enhance problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Navigate life transitions and identity exploration more smoothly.
• Process and heal from past hurts or trauma.

Common Issues Addressed in Teen Therapy

Our therapists are experienced in helping teens work through a growing number of challenges in recent years. These challenges include:

• Anxiety: Managing social anxiety, academic pressure, panic attacks, general worries, perfectionism, or OCD tendencies.
• Depression & Mood: Addressing low mood, irritability, loss of interest, feelings of hopelessness, or mood swings.
• Stress Management: Developing healthy coping mechanisms for school, extracurriculars, family, and social pressures.
• Self-Esteem & Body Image: Building confidence, challenging negative self-talk, and developing a healthier body image.
• Identity Exploration: Navigating questions around self-identity, values, future goals, including gender identity and sexual orientation.
• Relationship Difficulties: Improving communication and boundaries with peers, family members, or in romantic relationships.
• School Problems: Addressing academic stress, lack of motivation, procrastination, or school avoidance.
• Trauma: Processing and healing from past difficult experiences or traumatic events (using approaches like EMDR).
• Substance Use Concerns: Exploring patterns of use and developing healthier coping strategies.
• Self-Harm: Providing support and strategies to manage overwhelming emotions without resorting to self-injury (safety planning is key).
• Navigating Neurodiversity: Support for teens with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or learning differences.

Effective Therapist Techniques for Teens at Touch Brain Counselling

Our teen therapists integrate strong approaches to best support adolescents:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helping teens identify and challenge negative thought patterns and develop practical coping skills for anxiety, depression, and stress.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills: Providing concrete skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness – highly beneficial for managing intense emotions and relationship challenges common in adolescence.
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): An effective approach for processing and healing from traumatic memories, anxiety triggers, or phobias.
• Narrative Therapy: Empowering teens to explore their life stories, separate themselves from problems, and focus on their strengths and preferred ways of being.
• Art Therapy & Expressive Arts: Offering creative outlets for teens to explore emotions, process experiences, and gain insight when words are difficult.
• Solution-Focused Approaches: Collaboratively focusing on existing strengths and finding practical solutions to current problems.
• Neurofeedback: Utilizing brain-training technology to improve attention, focus, emotional regulation, and reduce symptoms related to ADHD, anxiety, or PTSD.

Confidentiality: A Cornerstone of Teen Therapy

We understand that privacy is crucial for teens to feel safe opening up in therapy. In British Columbia, confidentiality for minors is protected by law (PIPA) and ethical guidelines, with specific limits. We prioritize building trust by keeping sessions confidential, while maintaining ethical and legal standards. We discuss these limits clearly with both the teen and parents/guardians at the outset. 

Getting Started with Teen Counselling in Coquitlam

If you are a teen seeking support, or a parent concerned about your teenager, reach out to Touch Brain Counselling. We serve adolescents and families throughout Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, and the surrounding Tri-Cities area. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation – we can discuss whether the teen, parent, or both attend the first meeting, depending on the situation and comfort levels. Let's explore how our Coquitlam teen therapists can help.