Someone to talk to who gets it

What teens often come in for

• Anxiety, stress and pressure at school
• Low mood, or feeling disconnected
• Self-esteem, confidence and body image
• Friendships, relationships and conflict
• Grief, loss, or changes in the family
• Big feelings that are hard to manage
• Questions about alcohol, vaping or other substances

For teens

You don’t need to have the right words, or know exactly what’s wrong. We can start with whatever is on your mind. What you share stays between us, with a few important safety exceptions that I’ll explain clearly in our first session.

For parents and caregivers

Reaching out on your teen’s behalf is a caring step. I’ll talk with you about how you’d like to be involved, and how we’ll keep you in the loop while still giving your teen the privacy they need to open up.

I see young people from age 12, at my office, online, or at school.

Consent

Where both parents have legal authority to consent to treatment, I ask for both parents’ consent before counselling begins. When one parent has primary guardianship or sole legal authority to make health-care decisions for the teen, I generally get consent from that parent. If parenting arrangements, court orders or other legal agreements affect consent or involvement, I may ask for the paperwork before we start.

Privacy and parent involvement

Teens need a private, supportive space to talk about their thoughts, feelings and worries. Parents or guardians can be involved in the counselling when it makes sense, keeping your teen’s privacy and goals in mind. At the start, I explain the limits of confidentiality, including the situations where information may have to be shared because of serious safety concerns or legal requirements.