Shake Counselling - Mental Health Support for Young People

Every teenager has unique potential waiting to be unlocked. At Shake Counselling in Geelong, we've discovered that movement therapy provides a powerful key to helping young people access their strengths, build confidence, and develop the skills they need to thrive. This comprehensive guide explores how movement therapy specifically supports teenage development and potential.

Understanding Teenage Development

The Adolescent Brain

Key developmental features:

Prefrontal cortex still developing (decision-making, planning)
Limbic system highly active (emotions, rewards)
Increased neuroplasticity and learning capacity
Social brain development and peer focus
Identity formation and independence seeking

Physical and Emotional Changes

Adolescence involves:

Rapid physical growth and changes
Hormonal fluctuations affecting mood
Increased emotional intensity
Body image and self-concept development
Social comparison and peer pressure

Common Challenges

Many teenagers struggle with:

Low self-esteem and confidence
Anxiety about performance and acceptance
Depression and emotional overwhelm
Attention and focus difficulties
Social skills and relationship challenges

How Movement Therapy Unlocks Potential

Building Physical Confidence

Movement therapy helps teenagers:

Develop body awareness and coordination
Build physical strength and endurance
Learn new skills and abilities
Overcome physical limitations and fears
Celebrate physical achievements

Emotional Regulation Skills

Through movement, teens learn to:

Recognise and manage intense emotions
Use physical activity for mood regulation
Develop healthy coping strategies
Process difficult experiences safely
Build emotional resilience

Social Connection and Skills

Movement activities provide opportunities to:

Practice communication and teamwork
Build trust and cooperation skills
Develop leadership abilities
Form meaningful peer connections
Learn conflict resolution

Movement Therapy Approaches for Teens

Basketball Therapy

Our signature approach offers:

Skill development and achievement focus
Metaphors linking basketball to life skills
Team building and social connection
Emotional regulation through physical activity
Goal setting and persistence building

Key benefits:

Builds confidence through skill mastery
Develops teamwork and communication
Provides healthy competition and challenge
Creates opportunities for mentorship
Transfers skills to other life areas

Adventure and Outdoor Therapy

Outdoor challenges help teens:

Build courage and resilience
Develop problem-solving skills
Connect with nature and environment
Challenge limiting beliefs
Build independence and self-reliance

Dance and Creative Movement

Expressive movement supports:

Creative self-expression
Body positivity and acceptance
Cultural identity exploration
Emotional release and processing
Artistic skill development

Martial Arts and Self-Defense

These approaches build:

Self-confidence and empowerment
Discipline and focus
Respect and self-control
Physical strength and coordination
Mental resilience and determination

Specific Benefits for Different Challenges

For Teenagers with Anxiety

Movement therapy helps by:

Providing physical outlet for nervous energy
Teaching breathing and relaxation techniques
Building confidence through skill mastery
Creating safe social interaction opportunities
Developing body awareness and grounding skills

For Teenagers with Depression

Movement approaches support:

Natural mood elevation through endorphins
Behavioural activation and engagement
Social connection and support
Goal achievement and purpose
Energy and motivation building

For Teenagers with ADHD

Movement therapy offers:

Physical outlet for hyperactivity
Improved focus and attention through activity
Structure and routine benefits
Executive function skill building
Positive peer interaction opportunities

For Teenagers with Trauma

Trauma-informed movement provides:

Safe body reconnection
Empowerment and control
Nervous system regulation
Trust and safety building
Strength and resilience development

The Shake Counselling Approach

Assessment and Goal Setting

We begin by understanding:

Individual interests and preferences
Current physical abilities and limitations
Mental health and emotional needs
Social and family context
Personal goals and aspirations

Individualised Programs

Each program includes:

Tailored movement activities
Specific skill development goals
Progress tracking and celebration
Family involvement when appropriate
Integration with other therapeutic supports

Skilled Facilitation

Our therapists provide:

Expert guidance and instruction
Emotional support and encouragement
Safety and risk management
Therapeutic processing and insight
Skills transfer to daily life

Building Life Skills Through Movement

Leadership Development

Movement activities teach:

Taking initiative and responsibility
Motivating and supporting others
Making decisions under pressure
Communicating effectively
Leading by example

Resilience and Persistence

Through challenges, teens learn:

How to cope with failure and setbacks
The value of practice and persistence
Problem-solving and adaptation skills
Emotional regulation under stress
Self-motivation and determination

Communication Skills

Movement settings provide practice for:

Clear and direct communication
Non-verbal communication awareness
Active listening and response
Conflict resolution and negotiation
Supportive and encouraging language

Goal Setting and Achievement

Movement therapy teaches:

SMART goal setting techniques
Breaking large goals into steps
Tracking progress and celebrating success
Adjusting goals based on learning
Maintaining motivation through challenges

Family and Community Integration

Family Involvement

We support families by:

Explaining the movement therapy approach
Teaching families how to support progress
Providing home-based activity suggestions
Celebrating achievements together
Building family communication skills

School and Community Connections

We help teens:

Transfer skills to school settings
Connect with community sports and activities
Build peer relationships and support networks
Develop identity and belonging
Contribute positively to their communities

Peer Mentoring Integration

Movement therapy combines well with:

Peer mentor participation in activities
Skill sharing and teaching opportunities
Leadership development through mentoring
Community building and connection
Positive role modeling and support

Measuring Success and Progress

Physical Development

We track improvements in:

Skill acquisition and mastery
Physical fitness and coordination
Body awareness and confidence
Health and wellness indicators
Activity participation and engagement

Emotional and Social Growth

Progress indicators include:

Emotional regulation improvements
Increased self-confidence and esteem
Better peer relationships and social skills
Reduced anxiety and depression symptoms
Enhanced communication abilities

Life Skills Development

We measure growth in:

Goal setting and achievement
Problem-solving abilities
Leadership and responsibility
Resilience and coping skills
Independence and self-advocacy

Academic and Life Outcomes

Long-term benefits often include:

Improved school attendance and performance
Better family relationships
Increased community involvement
Career and educational goal development
Overall life satisfaction

Overcoming Barriers

Addressing Common Concerns

Focus on personal improvement, not comparison
Emphasis on fun and participation
Wide variety of movement options
Adaptive approaches for all abilities
Celebration of effort over outcome

Start with preferred activities
Make it social and fun
Connect to personal interests
Begin gently and build gradually
Focus on benefits beyond fitness

Individual sessions initially
Build safety and trust first
Start with familiar activities
Provide choice and control
Use anxiety management techniques

Creating Inclusive Environments

Our programs ensure:

Accessibility for all abilities
Cultural sensitivity and inclusion
Gender-inclusive approaches
Respect for individual differences
Safe and supportive atmospheres

Professional Development and Training

Therapist Qualifications

Our movement therapists have:

Mental health counselling qualifications
Specialized movement therapy training
Understanding of adolescent development
Trauma-informed practice skills
Cultural competency and sensitivity

Ongoing Education

We maintain quality through:

Regular professional development
Supervision and consultation
Research and evidence-based practice
Community of practice participation
Innovation and program development

Research and Evidence

Supporting Research

Studies show movement therapy can:

Improve mental health outcomes
Build resilience and coping skills
Enhance social functioning
Increase self-esteem and confidence
Support overall development

Measuring Effectiveness

We track outcomes through:

Standardised assessment tools
Goal achievement measurement
Family and participant feedback
Long-term follow-up studies
Community impact evaluation

Getting Started

Referral and Access

To begin movement therapy:

Contact Shake Counselling for assessment
Discuss goals and preferences
Complete intake and planning process
Begin with trial sessions
Develop ongoing program plan

What to Expect

Initial sessions focus on:

Building rapport and trust
Assessing interests and abilities
Setting goals and expectations
Beginning basic activities
Creating safety and enjoyment

Supporting Success

Families can help by:

Encouraging participation
Celebrating achievements
Supporting home practice
Communicating with therapists
Maintaining positive attitudes

The Future of Movement Therapy

Innovation and Development

Emerging approaches include:

Technology-enhanced movement
Virtual reality applications
Community-based programs
Preventive and early intervention
Cultural adaptation and inclusion

Expanding Access

Future directions:

School-based programs
Community partnership development
Training more qualified providers
Research and evidence building
Policy and funding advocacy

Conclusion

Every teenager has untapped potential waiting to be discovered and developed. Movement therapy provides a unique and powerful pathway to unlock this potential, building not just physical skills but emotional resilience, social connection, and life skills that last a lifetime.

At Shake Counselling in Geelong, we've seen countless young people transform through movement therapy – from anxious teens who discover confidence on the basketball court to depressed young people who find joy in dance, to traumatised youth who rebuild trust in their bodies and abilities.

The beauty of movement therapy lies in its accessibility and universality. Every teenager can participate in some form of movement, and every teenager can benefit from the confidence, skills, and connections that movement therapy provides.

If you're ready to help unlock your teenager's potential through movement therapy, contact Shake Counselling today. Together, we can discover the unique strengths and abilities that lie within every young person, creating pathways to a brighter, more confident future.

The journey begins with a single step – or in our case, with a single bounce of the basketball, a single dance move, or a single walk in nature. Let's unlock your teenager's potential together.