Grigore Counselling & Associates
Teens
Teens Therapy
- Improve Emotional Resilience
- Strengthen Communication, Self-Esteem, and Relationships
- Foster Personal Growth and Self-Awareness
Clarity
Balance
Healing
Empowerment
How Does Teens Therapy Work?
Teen therapy is a collaborative process tailored to meet the unique needs of adolescents, providing a safe space for them to explore their thoughts, feelings, and challenges.
1. Building Trust and Rapport: The therapist establishes a supportive, non-judgmental relationship with the teen to create a safe space where they feel comfortable sharing openly.
2. Exploring Thoughts and Emotions: Through conversations, creative exercises, or activities, teens are guided to identify and express their feelings, gain insight into their struggles, and develop self-awareness.
3. Skill-Building and Problem-Solving: Therapy focuses on teaching practical tools like coping strategies, emotional regulation techniques, and conflict resolution skills to help teens handle challenges effectively.
4. Involving Parents or Caregivers: When appropriate, therapy may include family sessions or check-ins to improve communication, provide support, and foster a cohesive home environment.
Teen Therapy Can Help With...
Anxiety &
Depression
ADHD &
Neurodivergence
Trauma
& PTSD
Suicide &
Self-Harm
Communication
& Relationships
Bullying
School
Performance
Anger &
Emotional Regulation
Self-Esteem
& Identity
Addictions
Eating Disorders
Career Planning
Teen Therapy Fast Facts
Pricing Options
We carefully hand-select and train our therapists to provide the highest level of evidence-based care for our clients.
Your wellbeing is our primary objective, so our goal is to help you reach your goal(s) as soon as possible.
We won’t keep you in treatment any longer than necessary.
Student therapist
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Supervised by Robert Grigore
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Extended Benefits Covers All
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Safe & Accepting Environment
Registered Therapist
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Supervised by Robert Grigore
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Extended Benefits Covers All
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Evidence-Based Treatments
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Specialized Training
Certified EMDR Therapist
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Supervised by Robert Grigore
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Extended Benefits Covers Most or All
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Evidence-Based Treatments
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Specialized Certification in EMDR
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Fastest Results*
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No Homework
* Studies show standard EMDR to produce clinically significant results in 1/4 of the time compared to standard treatment options. 50+ cases produced clinically significant results in as little as 3 days with our Total Immersion EMDR process, indicating this model produces clinically significant results in 1/24 the time as traditional therapy. Studies support our findings by indicating complicated clinical issues can be resolved with an intensive format when combined with high and low intensity physical activity (Bongaerts, et. al., 2017; Mendez, et. al, 2018).
Changing your life can be easier than you think.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
How do I know if my teen needs therapy?
Parents might notice that their teenager needs therapy if they see significant changes in behavior or mood that last for a prolonged period. Signs can include:
- Withdrawal from social activities – If your teen starts isolating themselves from family, friends, or previously enjoyed activities.
- Extreme mood swings – Dramatic shifts between sadness, anger, or irritability that seem out of character.
- Declining academic performance – Sudden drop in grades or lack of interest in schoolwork.
- Changes in sleep or appetite – Sleeping too much or too little, or significant changes in eating habits.
- Substance use – Increased use of alcohol, drugs, or other substances as a coping mechanism.
- Signs of self-harm or talk of suicide – Any indication of self-harming behavior or verbalizing thoughts of death or suicide is a serious red flag.
- Unexplained physical complaints – Frequent headaches, stomachaches, or other physical complaints that don’t have a clear medical cause.
If these behaviors are persistent and affecting daily life, therapy can provide essential support in helping your teen process their emotions and develop healthy coping strategies.
How do I know what type of therapy to pick for my teen?
Our clinicians who specialize in working with teenagers generally bring an assortment of skills and approaches to ensure your child’s unique needs are addressed. There isn’t a one-size fits-all approach with therapy, as we’ve found it beneficial to be skilled in various methods.
Are sessions virtual or in-person?
Most of our sessions are virtual aside from VIP EMDR Retreats (some of our Associates may elect to offer the occasional in-person session, so it’s important to check with them).
While offering virtual sessions nearly exclusively may seem unorthodox, during the COVID-19 pandemic lock-down, Robert discovered virtual sessions were superior in many ways to in-person sessions.
Some reasons for this are: allowing clients to meet in the comfort of their home or office, allowed clients to reach a new level of authenticity by not needing to get “dressed up for the world;” and not needing to account for travel time was greatly appreciated by most of our clients who have busy schedules. Furthermore, virtual sessions require the therapist to attune much more deeply to their client, and having a therapist who is even more deeply attuned to their client, can only benefit treatment.
However, with that said we will check-in to ensure sessions are working for your child.
What does a teen therapy session look like?
Therapy for teens typically involves a safe, non-judgmental space where they can talk openly about their thoughts and feelings. The process can vary depending on the type of therapy being used and the specific needs of the teen, but here’s an overview of what it might look like:
- Building Trust: The therapist will focus on building rapport and creating a trusting relationship with the teen. It’s important that the teen feels comfortable and understood, as this makes it easier to open up.
- Talk Therapy: In many cases, therapy will involve talking about the teen’s emotions, struggles, and challenges. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is common for teens, which helps them recognize negative thought patterns and replace them with healthier ones.
- Non-Talk Therapy: Some teens will benefit more from a non-cognitive approach such as hypnotherapy or EMDR.
- EMDR: if your therapist is trained in EMDR, this approach is extremely effective in healing past negative events and trauma that form the basis for your teen’s negative thought patterns, negative self-beliefs, and unwanted patterns of behaviour.
- Goal Setting: The therapist and teen may work together to set goals for therapy, whether it’s managing anxiety, improving social skills, or handling stress better. These goals can evolve as therapy progresses.
- Exploring Coping Skills: Therapy can teach teens practical strategies to manage their emotions, such as relaxation techniques, mindfulness, or problem-solving skills. These skills can help them better navigate challenges.
- Family Involvement: In some cases, family therapy may be included to improve communication and strengthen family dynamics. This is especially helpful when family relationships are contributing to the teen’s struggles.
- Safe Space for Expression: Therapy provides a space where teens can discuss things they might feel uncomfortable sharing with parents or friends—whether that’s feelings of sadness, loneliness, or peer pressure.
- Therapist’s Role: The therapist is there to listen, guide, and support, but they will not push the teen to share more than they’re ready to. Over time, teens often begin to feel more comfortable opening up.
The specific approach will depend on the teen’s needs and preferences, but overall, therapy is about helping them build emotional resilience and learn skills to navigate life’s challenges in a healthier way.
How will I know therapy works for my teen?
You can look for several signs to determine if therapy is effective for your teen:
Improved Mood and Behavior: If your teen starts showing more stability in their mood, such as feeling less angry, sad, or anxious, or if they seem to be handling emotions more effectively, it can be a sign that therapy is helping.
Increased Communication: Teens in therapy often become more open about their thoughts and feelings. If your teen starts talking more about their emotions or what they’re learning in therapy, it indicates they may be processing things more healthily.
Positive Changes in Relationships: Therapy can improve how a teen interacts with family members, friends, and peers. Look for signs of more respectful or open communication, fewer conflicts, or a willingness to engage in social activities again.
Better Coping Skills: If your teen seems to be managing stress or difficult situations better—like facing challenges with a more positive outlook or using coping strategies they’ve learned in therapy—it suggests progress.
Self-Reflection and Growth: Teens often gain insight into their behaviours and attitudes during therapy. If you notice your teen becoming more self-aware, willing to reflect on their actions, or open to change, it’s a good indicator that therapy is having a positive effect.
Behavioural Goals Being Met: If you and your teen have set specific goals for therapy (like improving grades, reducing anxiety, or quitting unhealthy habits), progress toward these goals can show that therapy is effective.
It’s also important to check in with the therapist periodically about progress. They can provide insights into your teen’s growth and whether the therapeutic approach is still the right fit. If there’s no noticeable change after several sessions, it may be worth discussing different approaches or adjusting the therapy plan.
Are there side effects to be aware of for my teen?
While therapy is generally very beneficial for teens, it’s possible that there may be some short-term “side effects” as they work through difficult emotions or experiences. Here are a few potential things to keep in mind:
- Emotional Discomfort: Therapy can sometimes bring up painful memories, unresolved issues, or difficult emotions. As a result, your teen might feel more emotional or upset in the short term, especially after a session. This is often a part of the healing process, though it can feel challenging.
- Feeling Overwhelmed: Talking about difficult topics in therapy may leave your teen feeling drained or overwhelmed afterward. It’s important for them to have time to process and recover, so encouraging self-care or giving them space to relax can be helpful.
- Resistance or Reluctance: Initially, some teens may resist therapy or feel uncomfortable talking to a stranger. They might even say that therapy “isn’t helping” early on, especially if they’re not fully invested or trust hasn’t been built yet. This is common but can be worked through with time.
- Changes in Behaviour: As teens begin to work through their issues in therapy, there might be a period where they challenge old behaviours, attitudes, or relationships. For example, they may become more assertive or start setting boundaries with people around them. While this is a healthy sign of growth, it can sometimes create tension at home or with friends as they adjust.
- Feeling Vulnerable: Therapy often requires vulnerability, and some teens might feel exposed or uneasy sharing deeply personal things. Over time, they may become more comfortable, but in the beginning, it’s common for them to feel uneasy or resistant to being open.
While these reactions can be challenging, they’re usually temporary and part of the therapeutic process. Most teens benefit greatly from therapy in the long run. If you’re concerned about any negative side effects or if something feels off, it’s important to communicate with the therapist. They can provide guidance and adjustments to ensure the therapy is supporting your teen in the best way possible.
Can my teen be on medication while undergoing therapy?
What if my teen doesn't want therapy? Can you convince them for me?
Unfortunately, research shows that mandated therapy (whether by court or by parent) is significantly less effective than if the client volunteers. While court-ordered therapy must occur, forcing your teen to engage in therapy if they are not mandated by the court will likely not prove effective, and may damage trust.
Therefore, we suggest you as the parent remain open to discussing beginning therapy when your child is ready but not pressing the issue. Sharing resources such as our YouTube channel or a book could be a more non-confrontational approach that opens the doors to this important topic of discussion.
When your child is getting ready to engage, informing them they will receive a free consultation with no-pressure to continue can be the next step in fostering their readiness.
Will my insurance cover any costs?
What is the difference between a Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Clinical Counsellor, Social Worker?
It’s confusing isn’t it? Let’s bring some clarity here.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MD’s) with a focus on mental health. They can formally diagnose and prescribe medications.
Psychologists are “doctors of psychology” but are not medical doctors. They have a PhD. They are allowed to diagnose mental health conditions, conduct psychological assessments, but cannot prescribe medications.
Psychotherapists and Clinical Counsellors are interchangeable designations where each province will have certain protected rights to use a particular designation. For example, in British Columbia, we are called either Registered Clinical Counsellors or Certified Clinical Counsellors; in Ontario the term used is Registered Psychotherapist. Counsellors/Psychotherapists (whichever term is used) generally have a MA level degree, are able to conduct psychological /counselling services but are not able to formally diagnose, assess, or prescribe medication.
Social Workers are able to conduct counselling sessions and are governed by the College of Social Workers. They may also belong to other professional associations and conduct therapy/counselling/psychotherapy within those guidelines.
Social workers most often have a MA level degree, and like Clinical Counsellors/Psychotherapists, cannot formally diagnose, assess, or prescribe medication.
Hope that helps!
