Skip to content

Children and Teens

Counseling for Kids and Teens

Growing up isn’t easy. Ask any adult. It’s common for children and teens to become frustrated, stressed and anxious, even about normal everyday stuff like homework, screen time, bedtime, increasing academic demands or expectations for more mature behavior. Whenever kids (or adults for that matter) are faced with something new – situations, demands, expectations – it’s typical to feel uncomfortable and react. Even though many times kids are simply dealing with the ordinary issues of growing up, behavior and reactions may go beyond what’s expected or appropriate and gets in the way of the things they want or need to do or impacts the way the family operates. This is a sign that the child or teen is feeling overwhelmed or stressed, and additional help is needed.
For teens wondering what counseling is like, please look at Just for Teens.

Behavior is a form of communication

Even though many times kids are simply dealing with the ordinary issues of growing up, their behavior and reactions may go beyond what’s expected or appropriate and gets in the way of the things they want or need to do or impacts the way the family operates. This is a sign that the child or teen is feeling overwhelmed or stressed and additional help is needed.
Common behaviors that signal when children or teens are feeling overwhelmed or distressed:
  • Procrastination, tantrums, power struggles or frequent arguing
  • Easily frustrated or angry
  • Worries a lot
  • Frequently bored, sad, anxious or disinterested
  • Perfectionistic
  • Difficulty saying good-bye to parents or going to school
  • Doesn’t like schedule changes
  • Procrastination, defensiveness or arguing, easily frustrated or angry.
  • Worries a lot or is anxious.
  • Frequently bored, sad or disinterested.
  • Perfectionistic or wants to control everything.
  • Difficulty with transitions/doesn’t like schedule changes.
  • Protests or has difficulty starting or completing tasks, homework, or activities.
  • Lack of interest in playing or hanging out with friends or difficulty making friends.
  • Withdrawal or clinginess.

Benefits of counseling

There are lots of reasons to go to therapy. Strengthening skills and relationships through therapy can be a way to prevent problems. Other reasons include broad support or mentoring, or to work through a particular issue or concern.
Counseling can help you:
  • Express feelings and thoughts appropriately and effectively.
  • Communicate concerns or problems to others.
  • Learn new ways to think and behave – all of which supports the development of important life skills such as coping with stress and frustration, problem-solving and the value of asking questions/seeking help.
  • Encourages creativity and new ideas.
  • Develop healthy decision-making skills.
  • Find effective ways to deal with school stress such as homework, friendships, bullying or peer pressure.
  • Deal with family change such as separation, divorce, moving, serious illness, or gaining new family members.