Adolescent Consultations

When everything feels intense, overwhelming or too much

Adolescence is a time of rapid change - socially, emotionally and neurologically. For some young people, emotions feel bigger, pressure feels higher, and confidence feels fragile. They may appear withdrawn, irritable, shut down, or constantly on edge.

Maybe you've noticed: -

School avoidance or falling behind
Big reactions that feel out of proportion
Social conflict or feeling excluded
High expectations and fear of failure
Difficulty managing anger or frustration
Shutting down instead of talking
Wanting independence but still needing reassurance
Being hard on themselves

How Therapy Helps

Therapy can help your teen to: -

Understand their emotional patterns
Build confidence in managing big feelings
Develop problem-solving skills
Reduce anxiety and performance pressure
Strengthen communication and boundaries

Many young people learn to “push through” or hide how much they’re struggling. Therapy offers a space where they don’t have to.

What Sessions Look Like

The first session is about getting background information and helping your teenager feel comfortable. Building trust comes before problem-solving.

Sessions may include: -

Talking through current stressors in a supportive way
Learning practical tools to manage anxiety or strong emotions
Identifying unhelpful thinking patterns
Developing confidence in social and academic situations
Collaborative goal setting

Some sessions may include parents briefly to ensure everyone is supported and clear on strategies. The aim is to balance independence with appropriate support. Therapy is active and engaging, not always just “sitting and talking.”

Next Step

Parents can: -

Make contact to discuss concerns
Book an initial appointment
Arrange a GP referral for Medicare rebates

If your teenager feels unsure, that’s okay. I work at a pace that feels manageable for them.