YOUNG PEOPLE (TEENS, ADOLESCENTS, KIDS, & YOUTH)
With the pursuit of healthy, happy lives, some young people experience emotions or behave in ways that disrupt their well-being. Adolescent mental health issues can result in extreme behaviours that impact family, school/work, and other relationships. It can also lead to significant and more severe mental health issues resulting in drug/alcohol use, self-harm, and even suicidal behaviours. Therapy can be a safe space for young people to process thoughts and emotions. These things can often lead to healthy, happy lives. But some kids have emotions or behave in ways that disrupt their well-being.
Therapy can help you become more understanding of your mental health struggles. It can also help you learn strategies and coping mechanisms to deal with these struggles. Therapy can be a safe space for teens to process thoughts and emotions. Most people find the teen years and the transition into young adulthood hard. I’m here to help. Whether you are being bullied, feeling depressed, not sure of your sexual orientation, being abused now or in the past, or maybe you’re in trouble at school or with the law, that’s just a small sampling of the challenges that I see youth facing every day. Maybe you see yourself among the list of challenges and maybe you don’t. It doesn’t matter. Call me and I will be happy to help you figure it out. You don’t have to go through this alone. And don’t worry, unless I am concerned about your safety, your conversation is only between you and me.
TEEN SUBSTANCE AND ADDICTION CONCERNS
Substance abuse can start out as a response to trauma or past abuse. It may also reflect a parent or caregiver’s behaviour toward you. Teens may use substances for a wide variety of reasons, such as peer pressure, wanting to fit in, experimentation, curiosity, or to feel different. However, this can lead to unhealthy patterns with harmful, lifelong impacts. It is important to recognize if a teen is developing an addiction. Once you have done that, you can help address the issue or seek treatment. The sooner substance abuse or addiction is addressed, the more effective treatment may be
OTHER ADDICTIONS
For example, a young person may develop:
- a gambling problem
- Internet or technology addiction
- addiction to gaming (e.g., video gaming)
- addiction to sex or pornography
Mental health and addiction problems
People with an addiction are more at risk of developing a mental health problem, such as anxiety, depression, or an eating disorder. People with mental health challenges (especially in adolescence) are also more likely to develop an addiction.
For example, someone who has experienced trauma such as being abused or bullied as a child, who has experienced other instabilities in housing, relationships, schooling, may develop a dependency on marijuana or alcohol as a way to feel calmer or less worried and to distract themselves from difficult circumstances.
When someone has both a mental health and an addiction problem, they have concurrent disorders.
Delivering a wide-array of clinical counselling
to help you realize your full potential
Serving across Markham, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Whitby, Oshawa, and all over Ontario.