Therapy for Teens in Bedford, NS

When Your Teen Is Struggling, It Can Be Hard to Know How to Help

It is worrisome to see your teen struggle. You hear them say things that you never thought would come out of their mouth.

Words that are full of anger, disappointment with themselves and worries that no teen should have.

It’s surprising to you that they can so easily become unglued when their big emotions hit. You watch helplessly as they break down over seemingly insignificant things.

If you’re being honest with yourself, you recognize that they do react more often. But you’ve been so busy just trying to cope with day-to-day life stress and parenting a teenager that you haven’t reached out for help.

You watch helplessly as they spend more time in their room. You’ve tried talking to them, but sometimes they become defensive or withdraw even more. You’re not sure what is going on with your teen and you know it is time to seek help.

You’ve heard teens can have anxiety or depression, and you wonder if this is what is going on. You’re pretty sure that this is more than teenage angst.  

All you know for sure is that you are tired of walking on eggshells at your home. You’re hoping they can learn to cope with their feelings in a way that is less draining for both of you.

Maybe it seems like things have been this difficult forever, or perhaps your teen or your family has been through a traumatic event or a difficult family change, like a divorce or a big move recently. Either way, we know how to help teens and their families learn to navigate this tough situation more effectively.

Therapy can help teenagers struggling with mental health problems like anxiety, depression or low self-esteem can learn ways to cope better.

According to Statistics Canada, the proportion of youth (aged 12 to 17 originally followed to ages 16 to 21) rating their mental health as “fair” or “poor” more than doubled from 12% in 2019 to 26% in 2023. Around 70% of mental health conditions begin during childhood or adolescence. By age 25, approximately 20% of Canadian youth develop a mental illness. 

How do I know if my teen needs therapy help?

As their parent, you have an important role to play in noticing what is going on.

Here are a few things you can look for; 

• Having bigger reactions or feelings than would be expected for a situation
• Strong feelings of anxiety or depression that happen more often and last longer than you’d expect
• Seeming very unhappy, worried, guilty, fearful, irritable, sad, or angry
• Changes in school performance
• Being more negative about themselves
• Showing less interest in or withdrawing from sports, games or other activities that they normally enjoy
• Seeming quieter than usual, less energetic or wanting to be alone often
• Falling back to less mature behaviours
• Trouble getting along with friends and/or family
• Headaches, stomach aches, or general aches and pains that have no medical reasons
• Changes in sleeping or eating

Are you the parent of a teenager that is struggling?

Sometimes teenagers feel like life’s challenges are dark, heavy, or even impossible to deal with.

They may be stuck in negativity and feeling miserable all the time. You may see signs of this around the house, at school or with their friends.

Yet many teens can feel embarrassed or afraid to open up, even to very approachable parents, about what they’re really going through. Therapy provides a non-judgemental space for them to talk freely about what’s bothering them. Know that whenever appropriate we also include parents in the process as we believe deeply in the power of the parent-child relationship.

What Can Your Teen Expect From Therapy?

For many teenagers, opening up about their emotions can feel uncomfortable or even frightening. They may worry about being judged, misunderstood, or having their parents find out everything they say.

Teen therapy provides a supportive, nonjudgmental space where adolescents can begin exploring their thoughts, emotions, relationships, and experiences at their own pace.

Our therapists work with teenagers to better understand what’s contributing to their distress, identify patterns that may be keeping them stuck, and develop healthier ways of coping with difficult emotions and life experiences.

Depending on your teen’s needs, therapy may focus on anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, self-esteem, relationships, or difficult experiences such as grief, trauma, or family changes.

We also recognize the importance of the parent-teen relationship. When appropriate,  parents may be involved in the therapeutic process to help strengthen connection and support their teenager’s emotional well-being.

Our goal is to help teenagers feel more understood, confident, and capable of navigating the challenges they’re facing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy for Teens

What If My Teen Doesn’t Want to Go to Therapy?

It’s not uncommon for teenagers to resist the idea of counselling, even when their parents can clearly see that they’re struggling.

Your teen might feel embarrassed, worry about being judged, or believe that therapy means there’s something wrong with them. They may also be concerned that the therapist will simply agree with their parents or try to change their behaviour.

Forcing a reluctant teenager into counselling isn’t always the most helpful approach. Building trust and helping them feel that their perspective matters can make a significant difference.

Sometimes, the best place to begin is with parents. Through approaches such as Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), parents can learn ways to support their teenager’s emotional needs, strengthen their relationship, and respond differently to challenging situations, even if their teen isn’t ready to participate.

You can also read our article, Is My Child, Teen or Young Adult Ready for Therapy?, to learn more.

Will My Teen’s Therapy Sessions Be Confidential?

Confidentiality is particularly important for teenagers, who may need reassurance that they can speak openly without everything being shared with their parents.

Our therapists work to create a safe, supportive environment where teens can discuss their feelings, relationships, worries, and experiences without fear of judgment.

The extent of confidentiality depends on factors such as a teen’s capacity to consent, applicable laws, and professional obligations. There are also limits to confidentiality, particularly when safety concerns or mandatory reporting requirements arise.

At the beginning of therapy, your therapist will explain how confidentiality works, what information may be shared with parents or caregivers, and how everyone can work together to support your teen while respecting their privacy.

Will Parents Be Involved in Their Teen’s Therapy?

Parents can play an important role in supporting their teenager’s emotional well-being, but the level of involvement will depend on your teen’s needs, the therapeutic approach, and the goals of counselling.

Some teenagers benefit from having an individual space to explore their experiences, while others may benefit from involving parents or caregivers in parts of the therapeutic process.

In Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), parents may work directly with a therapist to better understand their teen’s emotions, respond to emotional distress, and strengthen their relationship.

Your therapist will discuss the most appropriate approach for your family, including how to balance parental involvement with your teenager’s growing need for privacy and independence.

How Do I Know If My Teen Needs Counselling or Is Just Going Through Normal Teenage Changes?

Adolescence is a time of significant emotional, social, and developmental change. Moodiness, a desire for independence, and occasional conflict with parents can all be part of typical teenage development.

However, when changes in your teen’s mood, behaviour, or relationships are persistent, intense, or begin interfering with everyday life, it may be time to seek additional support.

Perhaps your teen has become increasingly withdrawn, seems constantly anxious or irritable, has lost interest in activities they once enjoyed, or is struggling with friendships, school, or family relationships.

You don’t need to wait until things reach a crisis point to ask for help. A consultation can help you explore your concerns and determine what kind of support might be appropriate.

Can Therapy Help Improve My Relationship With My Teen?

Yes. Sometimes the difficulties that bring a teenager to therapy are closely connected to patterns of communication, emotional disconnection, or conflict within the family.

You may feel as though every conversation turns into an argument, your teen shuts you out, or nothing you say seems to help.

Therapy can help parents and teenagers better understand the emotions and needs beneath these interactions.

Through approaches such as EFFT, parents can learn to respond to their teen’s emotional experiences in ways that strengthen trust, reduce conflict, and create opportunities for greater connection.

The goal isn’t to eliminate disagreements or prevent teenagers from developing independence. It’s to build a relationship where both parents and teens feel more understood, supported, and emotionally secure.

How Long Will My Teen Need Therapy?

Every teenager is different, and the length of therapy depends on the challenges they’re experiencing, their goals, and how they respond to treatment.

Some teens benefit from relatively short-term support focused on a specific concern, while others may need more time to work through longstanding emotional or relationship difficulties.

Your therapist will work collaboratively with you and your teen, as appropriate, to evaluate progress and determine what ongoing support may be helpful.

Therapy Can Help Teenagers Navigate Life’s Challenges With Greater Ease

At Bedford Couple & Family Therapy we help teens learn to rise above their challenges and start moving towards their ideal life with less stress and more calm.

We equip them with practical tools they need to discover ways to cope with difficult life stuff and discover things about themselves that they hadn’t realized before.

We specialize in offering therapy for teenagers struggling with big emotions or negative life events. We are here to help.

Let’s Get Started.

Is your teen ready to start feeling better? If your teenager is tired of feeling life is simply too hard and they are looking for support to flourish, therapy for teens could help.