Teen Counselling Brisbane
At CFHP, we are experienced in working with teenagers of all ages on a range of issues and can assist you and your family with whatever challenges you may be facing.
Counselling for adolescents requires a different approach than counselling for adults. Teen psychology and counselling in Brisbane can often involve counselling families or parents – and this involvement from family can be a crucial requirement. Sometimes we find that educating parents and adapting their parenting style can take precedence over changing a teen’s behaviour, and at other times it is more effective to work directly with the teenager.
Adolescent counselling is completed on a case-by-case basis, with each family having different requirements.
Our counsellors will work closely with your family and your teen to discover the source of the challenges they are facing and provide effective strategies to help overcome them.
Treating teens and recognising difficulties
Teenagers can show varying symptoms and red flags that may warrant a visit to a psychologist. As teens react to life stressors differently from adults, it’s important to know what signs of emotional distress to look for.
Defiant behaviour, aggressive behaviour and destructive behaviour can often indicate emotional distress in teens. If your son or daughter is overly anxious, has problems with attention or has any specific learning difficulties or memory problems, these may also be warning signs of possible emotional issues.
Teenagers can also experience depressive symptoms such as lack of motivation, irritability and tearfulness, self-harm, and poor academic performance to name a few.
Identifying the root of these emotional and behavioural issues as early on as possible is essential in providing effective treatment and preventing more serious issues later in life. Our trained and qualified therapists will identify the most appropriate therapy and treatment style for your teen and will always treat them with dignity and respect.
How we approach adolescent psychology
The first step in treating emotional and behavioural issues in teens is to conduct a thorough assessment of presenting issues. This includes:
A series of tests designed to test cognitive, emotional and social functioning, allowing the psychologist to gain a clear understanding of the difficulties that they are facing.
In cases where cognitive difficulties are identified, the therapist may refer the teen to a remedial programme or recommend alternative therapy such as occupational therapy and speech therapy.
When emotional issues are identified, the therapist is likely to suggest family therapy to help them cope with the problems that are causing emotional distress.
Therapy is a great way to help teens and families resolve particularly difficult dynamics and issues. They will learn how to communicate better and are taught ways to handle future conflict and difficulties too. Make your appointment with our teen psychologist now at (07) 3211 1117 or contact us to make an appointment online.
What’s involved in counselling with a teen psychologist?
During counselling sessions with a psychologist, therapists will first establish rapport with teens to ensure that they feel that they are in a safe and trustworthy environment.
This first step is important in helping teens express their worries and concerns freely without holding back anything due to fear of judgment. This means that sometimes, the psychologist will recommend having one-to-one sessions with the teen without the presence of family members.
Most sources of distress for teens originate from school and home environments, and psychologists will lead conversations surrounding these subjects to try and understand the root cause of the issue. These conversations are designed to give teens opportunities to air out their frustrations or fears.
Depending on the source of distress or issue, psychologists will introduce different strategies to help teens better manage their stress, deal with underlying issues, or make lifestyle adjustments to avoid stressors.
Our Teenage Psychologists in Brisbane
Mitchell Chikwakukire
Lisa Kunde
Chaminga Dhanapala
Common issues faced by teens and adolescents
Anxiety or a fear of failure
Low self-esteem and confidence
Phobias relating to social interactions and relationships
Depression and dramatic mood swings
Eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, binge eating)
Struggles with grief and loss from the death of a loved one
Attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or adjustment issues
Sleeping disorders or irregular sleeping patterns
Defiant behaviour and other behavioural problems
Speak with us
If your teen is struggling with any of the above issues or is showing signs of distress, they may require counselling to help them get through a difficult period.
It’s important that your child feels both safe and supported when it comes to their mental health.