Therapy for Anxiety, Mood & Emotion Regulation
Support for anxiety, OCD, low mood and emotional overwhelm, for teens 12+.
You don't have to keep white-knuckling your way through it.
Sound Familiar?
You replay conversations and worry about what people think
Comparing yourself to everyone online and feeling like you're falling behind
Feeling flat, tired or unmotivated, and pulling away from friends and things you used to enjoy
Shutting down or snapping at the people closest to you when things get hard
You look fine on the outside, but inside you're exhausted from holding it all together
Stressed about university, a first job, moving out or not knowing what comes next
You're not too much, and you're not broken. What you're feeling makes sense, and it can get better. Talking to someone who gets it can help.
What we help with
School and high school challenges: academic struggles, peer conflict, bullying and school avoidance
Relationships and communication: with parents, siblings, friends and partners
Emotion regulation: big feelings, anger, shutting down, and feeling out of control
Suicidal thoughts and self-harm: a safe, non-judgmental place to talk about thoughts of suicide or self-harming behaviour, alongside a plan for staying safe
Confidence and self-image: self-criticism, comparison, and how teens see themselves and their bodies
Identity and belonging: figuring out who they are and where they fit
ADHD: understanding how their brain works, with strategies for focus, organization and the emotional side of ADHD
OCD: intrusive thoughts and compulsions, using evidence-based approaches such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
How therapy helps
Therapy gives teens a space that is just theirs, with an adult who isn't a parent or a teacher, where they can say what's really going on. Together, they learn to understand their emotions, build coping skills they can actually use, and feel more confident handling stress, relationships and change.
For parents, sessions offer support and practical guidance: how to respond when emotions run high, how to reconnect when communication has broken down, and how to take care of yourself along the way.
What to expect
Free consultation. A short call or videocall with you or with a parent/ caregiver, or both, to talk about what's going on and find the right therapist.
First session. We get to know your teen, explain how confidentiality works, and talk about goals. Parents are usually part of the start of the first session.
Ongoing sessions. Sessions are 50 minutes, in person at our Whitby office or virtually anywhere in Ontario. Depending on your family's needs, sessions may be with your teen alone, with parents, or together.
How we help
Our teen and family therapists specialize in supporting adolescents and their parents and caregivers through the transitions that happen during these developmental years. We work with teens one-on-one, and we also work with parents, so the whole family has the tools and understanding to move forward together.
Our approach is warm, collaborative and trauma-informed, drawing on evidence-based methods such as Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
Jayden McCollom MSW
Registered Social Worker
Guiding teens and families through big emotions, anxiety, low mood and parent-child conflict. 
Laura Mills MSW
Registered Social Worker
Helping teens work through anxiety, OCD, big emotions and life transitions, and supporting parents along the way.
Ashley DeSouza MSW
Registered Social Worker
Supporting teens and parents with anxiety, low mood, emotion regulation, self-esteem and body image. Frequently asked questions
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Teens are more open when they know their sessions are private, so what they share is generally kept confidential. There are important exceptions: if we believe your teen or someone else is at serious risk of harm, or if we have a duty to report, we will act to keep them safe and involve the right people. We go over this with both of you at the start.
Will I know what my teen talks about in therapy?
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It depends on your teen and your goals. Many families have a mix of individual sessions for the teen and parent or family sessions. We'll recommend what fits best.
Do parents come to sessions?
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That's very common. A free consult is a low-pressure way for your teen to meet the therapist and see what therapy is like. Parent sessions can also be a helpful place to start on your own.
What if my teen doesn't want to come?
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Is teen therapy covered by insurance?
Our services are provided by Registered Social Workers, which many extended health plans cover. Check your plan, and see [Fees & FAQs] for our rates and receipts.