Depression Therapy for Teenagers

Written By: Emily Kiar, Psychotherapist with Capital Choice Counselling Group

The teenage years are a time of many changes and where teenagers are expected to make many decisions about their future. At times, this can leave teenagers feeling confused, isolated or even depressed. Teenage depression therapy can help. Depression therapy for Ottawa teenagers can lift the sadness and give you strategies that can help you get into a healthier state of mind throughout your lifetime. The teenage years are a time riddled with identity challenges, conflict with friends and parents, pressure and ongoing changes, and can leave adolescents feeling quite overwhelmed, blue, or even depressed. Depression therapy is a wise first step in dealing with this.

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Depression Therapy Can Help

Approximately 18% of children and teenagers struggle with depression, mental illness or substance abuse. Symptoms of depression vary from person to person. However some signs that an adolescent may be depressed include extreme or uncharacteristic mood swings, difficulty concentrating, intensified feelings of low self-esteem, ongoing feelings of exhaustion or an excessive need for sleep, or suicidal thoughts (http://www.canmat.org/cme-depression-depression-in-adolescents.php). If you think that you, or a loved one, may be struggling with this, an Ottawa teenage depression therapist might be the best person to talk to.

Talk To An Ottawa Depression Counsellor

Many adolescents (and truth be told – adults!) have ambivalence about talking to a depression counsellor. This is very normal – if you haven’t spoken to a counsellor before it can seem pretty nerve-wracking and unfamiliar! The primary goal of teenage depression counselling is to provide a safe, comfortable and confidential environment to support teenagers in addressing what is bothering him or her. A teen coming to depression counselling can expect the counsellor to encourage them to discuss what their experience of depression has been, explore what might have contributed to these feelings, and will work with them to develop coping strategies for dealing with depression, as well as other life stressors that may have contributed to depression.

Learn To Overcome Depression

What causes people to become depressed varies and as a result each counselling session is different, but have the same goal of meeting the client where they are at and supporting them in working towards the overall goal of feeling better. Although it may initially seem a little scary, teenage depression therapy and counselling can be a great way to deal with depression and learn strategies that can help set a teen up for a healthier state of mind throughout his or her life!

Emily Kiar, MA, CCC, is a psychotherapist with Capital Choice Counselling Group.