Signs a Teen Needs Counselling: When to Seek Professional Support

• Increased independence seeking
• Mood fluctuations
• Testing boundaries
• Intense friendships and relationships
• Identity exploration
• Occasional risk-taking

• Significant drop in grades without clear explanation
• Increased absences or school refusal
• Reports of disruptive behaviour in class
• Loss of motivation for previously enjoyed subjects
• Difficulty concentrating or completing tasks

• Isolation from peers
• Bullying (as victim or perpetrator)
• Conflicts with teachers
• Avoiding extracurricular activities
• Eating lunch alone consistently

Signs to watch for:

• Extreme irritability lasting weeks
• Persistent sadness or emptiness
• Explosive anger over minor issues
• Emotional numbness or detachment
• Anxiety that interferes with daily activities

• Self-harm or self-destructive behaviours
• Substance use or experimentation
• Reckless or dangerous activities
• Aggressive behaviour toward others
• Withdrawal from family and friends

• Chronic insomnia or difficulty falling asleep
• Sleeping excessively (more than 10-12 hours regularly)
• Frequent nightmares or night terrors
• Daytime fatigue despite adequate sleep

• Frequent headaches or stomach aches without medical cause
• Changes in appetite or eating patterns
• Unexplained aches and pains
• Frequent illness or complaints

Concerning patterns:

• Complete communication shutdown
• Extreme hostility toward family members
• Secretive behaviour beyond normal privacy
• Loss of trust or dishonesty
• Rejection of all family activities

• Sudden loss of all friendships
• Dramatic change in friend groups
• Isolation from social activities
• Difficulty maintaining relationships
• Conflict in most peer interactions

Seek immediate help if your teen:

• Talks about wanting to die or disappear
• Makes comments about being better off dead
• Researches suicide methods
• Gives away possessions
• Says goodbye in unusual ways
• Exhibits sudden calmness after period of distress

• Regular alcohol or drug use
• Using substances to cope with emotions
• Stealing money or items to buy substances
• Lying about whereabouts or activities
• Dramatic personality changes

• Choose a calm moment when you won't be interrupted
• Avoid approaching during or after conflict
• Create a comfortable, private environment
• Ensure you have adequate time to talk

Effective approaches:

• Use "I" statements to express concern
• Listen without immediately offering solutions
• Validate their emotions and experiences
• Avoid judgment or criticism
• Ask open-ended questions

Example conversation starters:

• "I've noticed you seem stressed lately. How are you feeling?"
• "I'm concerned about some changes I've seen. Can we talk?"
• "You seem to be struggling. How can I support you?"

School-Based Support:

• School counsellors
• Social workers
• Psychologists
• Special education coordinators

Community Mental Health:

• Private psychologists
• Family therapists
• Psychiatrists
• Support groups

Specialised Services:

• Youth mental health services like Shake Counselling
• NDIS providers
• Crisis intervention services
• Peer mentoring programs

Important qualities in a mental health professional:

• Experience working with adolescents
• Approaches that align with your teen's preferences
• Cultural sensitivity and understanding
• Good communication with families
• Evidence-based treatment methods

Help your teen understand:

• Counselling is confidential
• They have control over what they share
• The therapist is there to support, not judge
• Change takes time and effort
• You support their participation

If your teen is reluctant:

• Acknowledge their feelings about seeking help
• Emphasise their autonomy in the process
• Offer choice in selecting a counsellor
• Start with a trial period
• Consider family therapy initially

• Respect the therapeutic relationship
• Avoid pressing for details about sessions
• Support attendance and engagement
• Implement strategies suggested by the therapist
• Maintain open communication at home

Create conditions that support healing:

• Maintain family routines
• Encourage healthy activities
• Model emotional regulation
• Celebrate small improvements
• Be patient with the process

Early intervention can:

• Prevent problems from becoming more severe
• Teach coping skills during crucial developmental years
• Improve family relationships
• Support academic success
• Build resilience for future challenges

Young people who receive appropriate support often develop:

• Better emotional regulation skills
• Stronger relationships
• Improved self-esteem
• Greater resilience
• Better academic and career outcomes

Sometimes the whole family benefits from therapy:

• Communication improvements
• Conflict resolution skills
• Understanding developmental needs
• Supporting siblings
• Parental stress management