Support for Adolescents (13–19)
The Adolescent Tunnel
Adolescence is a period of significant emotional, physical, and psychological transformation. No longer children, but not yet adults, young people often experience inner turmoil, confusion, anxiety, and a sense of loss. It can feel like being in a tunnel with no clear way out. These feelings can be overwhelming not just for adolescents, but also for their parents or carers.
The Developing Brain
During this time, the brain is still under construction, particularly the cortex, which is responsible for decision-making, planning, and emotional regulation. Asaresult, teenagers may respond to stress and strong emotions more impulsively. This is not a character flaw, but rathera normal part of brain development.
When Therapy Can Help
Some adolescents express distress outwardly through anger, defiance, or risky behaviours. Others may suffer more quietly with anxiety, low self-worth, or physical symptoms like headaches or fatigue.
Parents often contact me when their teenager is experiencing one or more of the following:
- Social anxiety or extreme shyness
- Persistent low mood or isolation
- Chronic stomach aches or headaches with no medical cause
- A “don’t care” attitude that masks fear of failure
- Aggression or conduct difficulties
- Obsessive thoughts or rituals
- Low self-esteem or self-criticism
- Disordered eating
- Alcohol or drug use
- Addiction
- Self-harm as a way to manage emotional pain
- Suicidal thoughts or actions linked to despair
- Difficulty coping with significant life events like parents’ divorce, illness, or bereavement
How I Work with Adolescents
My approach is to help adolescents give words to their emotional pain and explore what’s happening beneath the surface. Together, we look at their thoughts, feelings, relationships, and hopes for the future. Over time, this process helps them gainadeeper understanding of themselves and make healthier, more authentic choices.
Importantly, therapy is only effective when a young person wants help. I cannot work with someone who doesn’t believe they need support or who isn’t open to exploring their emotional world.
A Focused Option: Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT)
I offer 16-session Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT) for adolescents struggling with anxiety, self-harm, and low self-worth. DIT is a structured, evidence-based psychodynamic therapy that helps young people understand the emotional roots of their anxiety, often linked to patterns in how they relate to others and view themselves.
Through gentle exploration of past and present relationships, DIT supports adolescents in making sense of their feelings, developing healthier ways of relating, and building emotional resilience. This brief yet focused approach can be particularly helpful for teens who feel stuck in cycles of overthinking, people-pleasing, self-harming or withdrawal, providing them with tools to feel more confident and connected in their everyday lives.
What Young People and Parents Say
I didn’t realise how much I was carrying until we talked about it. Now I feel like I understand myself better, and I’m not as scared to speak up.
— 17-year-old
The sessions helped me see how I was always trying to keep people happy to avoid being left out. Now I don’t feel so anxious all the time.
— 15-year-old
As a parent, it was moving to watch my daughter grow in confidence. She began to open up more at home and seemed lighter by the end of the therapy.
— Parent of a 16-year-old
I used to get anxious in every social situation. Angeline helped me see where that came from, and I actually feel proud of how I’ve changed.
— 16-year-old
What to Expect: First Meetings
If you're a teenager considering therapy, you’re welcome to attend the first session with or without your parents. If you do attend with them, we’ll use that session to understand who is seeking support and what you both hope for.
I’ll then suggest two further sessions for you to attend alone. After that, the decision to continue is yours.
Your Privacy Matters
Everything you say in therapy is confidential. I won’t share anything you talk about, unless you or someone else is at risk of serious harm. In that case, I’ll always discuss it with you first so that you’re not left feeling blindsided.
I also work with parents in one-to-one sessions
WORKING WITH PARENTS