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Teen Counselling Kelowna
Supporting Youth Mental Health
Welcome to Virtuous Circle Counselling, your trusted provider of teen counselling services in Kelowna. We specialize in offering supportive, compassionate, and effective therapy tailored to the unique needs of teens and adolescents. As your partner in youth mental health, our team of skilled therapists is committed to helping young people navigate the challenges of adolescence and develop the skills necessary for a healthy, fulfilling future.
Our Kelowna Therapists
What is Teen Counselling?
Teen Counselling is a specialized form of therapy that focuses on the emotional, psychological, and social development of adolescents. This type of counselling aims to address various mental health issues, behavioural challenges, and emotional struggles that teens may face during their formative years.
At Virtuous Circle Counselling, our approach to teen therapy is designed to provide a safe and non-judgmental environment where young individuals can express themselves openly, explore their feelings, and work through their challenges with the guidance of a qualified teen counsellor.
Who is Teen Counselling For?
Teen counselling is suitable for young individuals aged 12 to 18 who are experiencing difficulties that affect their emotional well-being, relationships, or academic performance. It can benefit teens who are dealing with a wide range of issues, including but not limited to:
- Anxiety and depression,
- Behavioural problems and defiance,
- Social skills and peer relationship issues,
- Self-esteem and body image concerns,
- Family conflict and communication issues,
- Stress related to academic or social pressures,
- Trauma, grief, or loss.
If you are concerned about your child’s emotional health or notice changes in their behaviour, it may be time to consider teen counselling. Our experienced therapists provide a safe space for youth to explore their feelings and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Signs Your Teen May Need Counselling
It can be challenging to determine whether a teen is going through a typical phase of adolescence or experiencing more serious mental health issues. Here are some signs that may indicate a need for professional help:
- Frequent mood swings: Experiencing intense emotions such as anger, sadness, or irritability more often than usual.
- Withdrawal from family and friends: A noticeable decrease in social interactions or a desire to isolate themselves.
- Decline in academic performance: Falling grades, lack of interest in schoolwork, or skipping classes.
- Changes in eating or sleeping habits: Significant weight loss or gain, insomnia, or excessive sleeping.
- Substance abuse: Experimentation or reliance on drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism.
- Self-harm or suicidal thoughts: Expressing thoughts of self-harm, making suicide threats, or engaging in risky behavior.
- Persistent anxiety or fear: Overwhelming feelings of worry or fear that interfere with daily activities.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s essential to seek professional guidance. Our youth counsellors are here to provide support and help your teen navigate these challenges.
Which Therapy Works Best for Adolescent Mental Health?
The best therapy for adolescent mental health depends on the individual’s specific needs, circumstances, and personal preferences. At Virtuous Circle Counselling, we offer a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored to the unique challenges faced by teens and adolescents, including:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Helps teens identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to emotional distress.
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): Focuses on teaching skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness.
- Family Therapy: Involves the family in the therapeutic process to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and build stronger relationships.
- Play and Art Therapy: Uses creative expression as a way for younger teens to explore their emotions and communicate in a non-verbal way.
- Mindfulness-Based Therapy: Encourages teens to develop mindfulness skills to manage stress and build resilience.
Our teen therapists are trained in these and other approaches, allowing them to customize therapy to best meet the needs of each individual teen.
Common Mental Health Disorders in Adolescence
Adolescence is a time of significant growth and change, and it is also a period when many mental health disorders may first emerge. Some of the more common mental health disorders among teens include:
- Anxiety Disorders: Generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorders, and phobias.
- Depressive Disorders: Major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), and bipolar disorder.
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
- Eating Disorders: Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.
- Conduct Disorder: Involves aggressive or antisocial behaviour, violating rules, or harming others.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Characterized by repetitive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and behaviours (compulsions).
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Can develop after exposure to a traumatic event.
If your teen is struggling with any of these conditions, seeking help from a youth counsellor can provide them with the support they need to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
How to Encourage Your Teen to Attend Counselling
Getting your teen to attend counselling can be challenging, especially if they are resistant or unsure about therapy. Here are some tips to encourage your teen to consider teen counselling:
- Open a Dialogue: Approach the topic with empathy and understanding. Explain that counselling is a safe space where they can express themselves freely without judgement.
- Normalize Therapy: Help them understand that seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but rather a proactive step towards feeling better.
- Involve Them in the Decision: Allow your teen to participate in choosing a therapist or deciding on the type of therapy. This can give them a sense of control and ownership over the process.
- Highlight the Benefits: Explain how therapy can help them develop coping skills, build self-esteem, and improve relationships.
- Be Patient: If your teen is hesitant, give them time and continue to offer support and encouragement.
At Virtuous Circle Counselling, we strive to create a welcoming and supportive environment that helps teens feel comfortable and willing to engage in the therapeutic process.
What to Expect During a Teen Counselling Session
During a teen counselling session at Virtuous Circle Counselling, the focus is on creating a safe and supportive space where the teen feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings. Here’s what you can typically expect:
- Initial Assessment: The first session usually involves an assessment to understand the teen’s background, current issues, and goals for therapy. This may involve discussing family dynamics, academic pressures, social relationships, and any other relevant factors.
- Building Rapport: Establishing a trusting relationship between the counsellor and the teen is crucial. The therapist will take time to build rapport and ensure the teen feels heard and understood.
- Goal Setting: The therapist and the teen will collaboratively set therapeutic goals. This might include improving communication skills, managing anxiety, addressing behavioural issues, or working on self-esteem.
- Therapeutic Interventions: Depending on the teen’s needs and the therapeutic approach, sessions may include various activities such as role-playing, cognitive restructuring, mindfulness exercises, or creative expression techniques.
- Progress Review: Regularly reviewing progress and adjusting the therapeutic approach ensures that the teen’s goals are being met and any new issues are addressed promptly.
Seeking Help for Teen Counselling in Kelowna
At Virtuous Circle Counselling, we are committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate teen counselling. Our experienced team of teen therapists is dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of young people, helping them navigate the challenges of adolescence with resilience and confidence.
If your teen is struggling or if you have concerns about their mental health, contact us today to learn more about our services and to schedule a consultation with a youth counsellor.
Call Us at (778) 654-5396
Contact Virtuous Circle Counselling today to see if we are the right couples therapy provider for you. Book an intake session today and work on your relationship tomorrow!
Book Your Appointment Online
We are currently accepting new clients however being a good fit is everything in a therapeutic alliance. When you’re ready, please contact us for a free 30-minute phone consultation to see if we match your needs and goals.
Our Alberta Locations
WestMount Corporate Campus
4838 Richard Rd SW Suite 300
Calgary, AB T3E 6L1
Phone: (587) 856-8369
Crowfoot West Business Centre
600 Crowfoot Crescent NW Suite 340
Calgary, AB T3G 0B4
Phone: (403) 797-0660
North Campus
160 Quarry Park Blvd SE Suite 300
Calgary, AB T2C 3G3
Phone: (587) 782-4277
Our Edmonton Locations
ELM Business Park
9426 51 Ave NW Suite 201
Edmonton, AB T6E 5A6
Phone: (587) 741-2364
Our British Columbia Locations
Landmark 6
1631 Dickson Ave Suite 1100
Kelowna, BC V1Y 0B5
Phone: (778) 654-5396
Our Hours
Monday – Friday: 8am to 8pm
Sunday: 8am to 8pm
Saturday: 8am to 8pm
Our Hours
Monday – Friday: 8am to 8pm
Saturday: 8am to 8pm
Sunday: 8am to 8pm
Copyright 2023 © All rights Reserved. Virtuous Circle Counselling
We at Virtuous Circle Counselling acknowledge Moh’kinstsis, the lands where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet, in what we currently call Calgary. We acknowledge that we are visitors on Moh’kinsstis and acknowledge the Blackfoot are those who named this area as Moh’kinsstis. In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, we recognize the ancestral territories, cultures, and oral practices of the Blackfoot people, the Îyarhe Nakoda Nations, the Dene people of the Tsuut’ina Nation, and the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.