My 10+ experience as an educator in various school settings has convinced me that supporting the emotional and psychological well-being of young people is crucial. More than ever, teens are facing increasing emotional and physical pressures arising from academic demands, bullying, peer relationships, family conflict and social pressures resulting in increased anxiety, depression, stress and trauma. Lack of social support, a burdened school system and shifting family dynamics predisposes many teens to engage in maladaptive behaviours in order to cope. The practice of psychotherapy provides a safe and non-judgmental space where teens can talk about their thoughts and feelings making it an effective tool in helping teenagers navigate through their complex emotions and cope with the demands of adolescence.
My Approach
- Primarily, my focus is on promoting trust with the therapeutic relationship so that clients feel assured that it is a confidential space.
- I combine the use of active listening and a combination of open and closed ended questioning to engage and gain awareness of the client’s story, past experiences and what they would like out of therapy. This may not always be clear so engaging in questions that evoke meaning in their lives is significant towards helping them determine intermediate and long-term goals.
- Combined with effective treatment strategies, teenagers can benefit from gaining improved positive communication skills, emotional regulation, healthy coping mechanisms, and better mental health outcomes in the long run.