Counselling for Teens
Supporting Teens Through Life’s Changes
The teenage years bring many new experiences and pressures. Teens are navigating identity, friendships, school expectations, family relationships, and increasing independence. While these years can be exciting, they can also feel overwhelming.
Counselling provides teens with a supportive space where they can talk openly about what they are experiencing. With the support of a counsellor, teens can better understand their emotions, develop confidence, and learn practical tools for navigating challenges.
Our goal is to help teens feel understood, supported, and more capable of managing the stresses that come with growing up.
Common Situations We Help With
Families often reach out when a teen is struggling with things such as:
Anxiety or ongoing stress
Low confidence or self-esteem
School pressure or academic stress
Social struggles or friendship challenges
Emotional ups and downs
Family conflict or communication difficulties
Navigating identity and independence
These experiences are common during adolescence. Counselling can help teens develop the emotional awareness and coping skills needed to navigate them in healthy ways.
How Counselling Helps Teens
Counselling gives teens a place where they can speak freely without fear of judgment. Through supportive conversations and practical guidance, teens can learn skills that help them feel more confident and capable.
Counselling may help teens:
Understand and express their emotions more clearly
Build confidence and self-awareness
Develop healthier ways of coping with stress
Improve communication with parents and family members
Navigate friendships and social challenges
Feel more prepared to handle life’s transitions
Parents are often an important part of the process. When appropriate, counsellors may involve parents to help strengthen communication and support teens both in counselling and at home.
Our Team Approach
At Harbour Family Counselling, families benefit from the experience of a collaborative team. While you work closely with one counsellor, our clinicians regularly consult with one another to share perspectives and insights.
This approach allows us to provide thoughtful, well-rounded support while ensuring families receive care that is compassionate, practical, and tailored to their situation.
Counsellors Who Support Teens
Jenna Merali
BFA, MA, RCC
Jenna supports teens who may be struggling with anxiety, emotional overwhelm, or family stress. She focuses on helping teens feel understood while building practical emotional skills that support resilience and stronger connections at home.
Talita Nell
B.Sc, MA, RCC
Talita supports teens who may be feeling overwhelmed by emotions, social pressures, or changes in family life. She creates a warm and supportive environment where teens can explore their experiences, build confidence, and develop healthier ways of navigating challenges.
Maria Butler
BA, B.Ed, MA, RCC
Maria works with teens to better understand emotional and behavioural patterns that may be causing stress in life. Her approach helps teens develop confidence and emotional awareness.
Helping your teen thrive
Adolescence is a time of growth, change, and learning. With the right support, teens can develop the emotional skills and confidence that help them navigate challenges and build strong relationships throughout their lives
Fees & Availability
Individual sessions fees vary by counsellor
Complimentary 20-minute consultation calls available
Receipts provided for extended health benefits
Currently accepting new clients
Consultation calls are available most days.
What to Expect
1. Book a free 20-minute consultation
This is an opportunity for you and/or your teen to meet with a counsellor and share what you’re looking for with counselling.
2. Start with a Parent / Caregiver Intake Session
This session is for parents to share the teen’s developmental history, strengths and areas to focus on in counselling. One or more parent / caregiver are welcome to join.
3. Counselling for Teens Begins with Relationship
Early sessions focus on your teen building a connection with their counsellor. We want your teen to feel heard, understood, supported and respected. It helps to have some consecutive sessions to allow this bond of trust to build, so progress can be made.