Giving your teen the space to feel heard, understood, and valued while they navigate life’s ups and downs.
Being a teen is hard, and today’s fast-paced digital environment adds a level of complexity that can influence their perspective of reality and intensify their stress and self-doubt.
Meeting with a therapist can help prevent minor issues from becoming major ones.
Talking with a therapist can help teens work through a range of issues, from school or social stress to exploring deeper questions about who they are. Therapy does not have to be reserved for life-changing events or emotional crises.
Anxiety in teens is on the rise as many feel pressure to succeed or perform like never before. But what is causing it? Overscheduling, continuous exposure to distressing news stories, and social comparison via social media add to the concerns. The anxiety that results can lead to sleep issues, difficulty concentrating, avoidance, and physical symptoms like headaches and stomach aches.
Depression goes beyond normal teenage mood swings. It can cause persistent feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and a lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities; negatively impact academic performance and social relationships; and even lead to self-harm or suicidal thoughts. If your teen is showing signs of depression, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible.
School is a big part of a teen’s life, and if it’s not going well, it can have a significant impact on their well-being. Whether they aren’t getting along with their peers or teachers, or they are dealing with external or internal pressure to get certain marks, struggles in school can lead to feelings of frustration, low self-esteem, and inadequacy.
The online world presents teens with a curated version of life that can lead to pressure and comparison, affecting their self-esteem and body image. Their worldview can be skewed by unrealistic expectations, leading to negative self-perceptions and self-esteem issues.
Relationships are a big part of your teen’s life, but they can get complicated. Conflicts with friends, breakups, or peer pressure can lead to feelings of rejection and loneliness and can contribute to difficulties with anxiety and depression.
We believe therapy is part of living a healthy life; you don’t have to be in crisis or facing an emergency to seek support. Our practice is built on long-term connections, and we walk with you as you navigate the different phases and challenges in your life.
While working with children and adolescents is what we’re best known for, we extend our specialized assessment and therapeutic support services to parents, adults, and couples who are on their own path to healing and living a life they love.
We listen to understand your teen’s story, concerns, and goals and determine if therapy is right for them.
We build a personalized plan, taking a strength and evidence-based approach to therapy.
Involvement in your teen’s therapy depends on the therapeutic approach, the age of your teen, and the issues at hand. In some situations, we might suggest a parent-teen dyad or parent session as part of the therapy process, but often we recommend individual sessions for the teen. However, even if you’re not directly involved in the sessions, your support is crucial. This might mean implementing suggestions from your therapist at home, supporting your teen’s use of new coping skills, or simply being there to listen and provide reassurance.
Many teens are reluctant to come to therapy at first. We normalize this and spend extra time building rapport and making an authentic connection with them. We remind teens that they don’t have to say or do anything that they don’t want to until they are ready; we go at their pace. Most teens end up feeling safe enough to open up when we respect their initial boundaries.
We want your teen to experience a sense of privacy that fosters a trusting therapeutic relationship, allowing them to express their thoughts and feelings freely.
That being said, their safety is our first priority, and if any topics that threaten the safety of themselves or others come up, we will inform you promptly. Additionally, we’ll provide you with general strategies that can be used outside of therapy sessions to help your teen’s progress, including tips for maintaining open communication at home. We believe that a dialogue respectful of the teen’s comfort level can support their mental health and create a more peaceful home environment.
The results of a therapeutic journey are different for each teen, but in general, you can expect to see certain improvements to differing degrees. You may notice that they develop:
If you’re looking to get started with J. Gordon Psychology Group, get in touch! You can email, call or submit a message using our contact form.
780-938-4473
Send us a message using our contact form
Book your next appointment through our online portal.
4710 99th st. NW Edmonton,
Alberta T6E 5H5
