West Vancouver Teen Counselling

Help When They Won't Talk to You Anymore

Your teenager locks themself in their room. Won't talk at dinner. Snaps when you ask simple questions. Grades are tanking, they quit activities they used to love, and their friend group changed completely. You see the anxiety, the sadness, maybe signs of self-harm or eating issues - but when you try to help, they shut you out. West Vancouver teen counselling gives teenagers a safe space to talk about what's really going on with someone who isn't their parent, someone who won't lecture or freak out, someone who actually gets what it's like being a teenager right now.

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Creekside Counselling works with teens throughout West Vancouver - from Sentinel Secondary to private schools in British Properties - who are struggling with anxiety, depression, social pressure, family conflict, trauma, identity questions, or just feeling completely overwhelmed by life. Teen counselling helps them figure things out before struggles become bigger problems.

Benefits of Teen Counselling

1. Teenagers need someone outside the family to talk to. Even good parents can't be that person - teens are supposed to be separating and individuating, which means they're not gonna open up to mom and dad about everything. Having a therapist gives them that trusted adult who isn't emotionally involved in their choices.
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2. Teen counselling addresses the specific pressures West Van teens face. The academic stress is intense here - everyone's getting into UBC or going to top US schools, taking all AP classes, volunteering for university applications while playing competitive sports. That pressure breaks kids. We help teens manage the stress without burning out or developing anxiety disorders.
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3. Social media and phone addiction are massive issues for this generation. Teens we see are dealing with cyberbullying, comparing themselves to filtered Instagram lives, getting no sleep because they're on their phones all night, and genuinely don't know how to exist without constant digital validation. Teen counselling helps them develop healthier relationships with technology and social media.
    

4. For teens dealing with anxiety or depression, getting help now prevents these from becoming lifelong struggles. Teen brains are still developing - early intervention works better than waiting until they're adults with entrenched mental health issues. We teach coping skills they'll use for life.
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5. Teen counselling also helps with identity stuff - figuring out who they are separate from their parents' expectations, exploring sexuality or gender identity, handling friend group drama, managing romantic relationships. All the confusing parts of being a teenager that they can't necessarily process with family.
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6. For teens who've experienced trauma - abuse, assault, accidents, witnessing violence - we use EMDR therapy to process those experiences before they develop into PTSD or other long-term impacts. Trauma in adolescence can derail development, so addressing it quickly matters.
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7. We also work with the self-destructive behaviors that worry parents most - self-harm, disordered eating, substance use, risky sexual behavior. These are usually symptoms of deeper pain. Teen counselling addresses what's driving those behaviors, not just the behaviors themselves.

Creekside Counselling's Approach to Teen Counselling

First session, I usually meet with parents briefly to hear their concerns, then spend most of the time with the teen alone. Teenagers need to know this is THEIR space, not an extension of their parents checking up on them. If they think I'm just gonna report everything to mom and dad, they won't open up.

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Confidentiality is huge with teens. What we talk about stays private unless there's safety concerns - suicidal plans, abuse, plans to hurt someone else. I explain this upfront so teens know they can actually be honest. Parents get general updates on progress and themes we're working on, but not a play-by-play of everything their kid says.

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I don't talk to teens like they're children. They can smell condescension a mile away and will shut down immediately. I treat them like the young adults they're becoming - with respect, without judgment, acknowledging their perspective even when I disagree. Teens are way more likely to open up when they feel taken seriously.

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Teen counselling sessions look different than adult therapy. We might go for a walk, sit outside, use art or music. Some teens talk more when they're not sitting face-to-face making eye contact. I adapt to what works for that specific teenager.

For teens with trauma - past abuse, assault, scary accidents, witnessing violence in their family - we use EMDR therapy adapted for adolescents. EMDR helps process traumatic memories without requiring them to describe every detail out loud, which lots of teens prefer. The bilateral stimulation helps their brain file the trauma properly so it stops showing up as nightmares, flashbacks, or triggering situations.

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We teach practical skills teens can actually use. How to manage anxiety during exams without having panic attacks. Ways to deal with friend drama without completely melting down. Tools for handling their parents without constant fighting. Strategies for social situations when they're feeling socially anxious. Real, applicable stuff, not vague advice.

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I also help teens set boundaries with parents where needed. Sometimes the relationship is too enmeshed, parents are too controlling, or family dynamics need adjusting. I'll bring parents in for sessions when helpful to improve communication or address patterns that aren't working.

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For teens dealing with suicidal thoughts or self-harm, safety comes first. We create a safety plan, get parents involved appropriately, and sometimes coordinate with psychiatrists for medication if needed. I take that stuff seriously - teen suicide rates are climbing and this isn't something to minimize.

Pricing Information

Teen counselling sessions are $165 per 50-minute session. Most teens start with weekly sessions. As things improve, we space out to biweekly or monthly check-ins before wrapping up therapy.

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Length of treatment depends on what we're addressing. General anxiety or adjustment issues might take 2-3 months. Depression could take 4-6 months. Complex trauma or severe mental health issues take longer. Every teen's different.

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We provide receipts for insurance. Most extended health benefits in BC cover counselling for teenagers - check your plan. Lots of West Vancouver employers have good mental health coverage that covers teens under family plans.

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Some teens qualify for specific funding - MCFD support if they're in care, autism funding if on the spectrum, ICBC coverage for accident-related trauma, Crime Victim Assistance for abuse cases. We can help figure out what's available.

Areas We Serve

We're located in West Vancouver and work with teens throughout the North Shore. Our teen counselling clients come from Sentinel Secondary, Rockridge Secondary, West Vancouver Secondary, Collingwood, Mulgrave, and other area schools. Teens from all West Van neighborhoods - Horseshoe Bay, Dundarave, Ambleside, Caulfeild, British Properties, Eagle Harbour, Cypress Village, Gleneagles.

We also see teens from North Vancouver, Lions Bay, Whistler, and throughout Metro Vancouver when they need specialized help that they can't find closer to home or when they specifically want someone outside their immediate community.

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Virtual counselling available for teens who prefer online sessions. Some teenagers actually open up more easily on video because it feels less intense than sitting across from someone in an office. We've done lots of successful teen therapy online.