Teenagers

From around the age of 12 through to 18, teenagers are experiencing an intense period of time as they enter the identity forming phase of their psychosocial development. This sees teenagers begin to form their own identity independent of their parents and families, which includes exploring and determining their own values, beliefs and goals.

As with all clients, counselling adolescents is tailored to the teenager’s unique developmental and mental health needs, including when there has been trauma. This can mean that more adult-centred therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) or narrative therapy are used, or a combination of these with art therapy or play therapy. As with all clients, the most important and effective aspect of the counselling is a trusting and safe therapeutic relationship with the counsellor, and this will form the foundation of any therapeutic approach.