Teen counselling
Teen Counselling in Stittsville & Online Across Ontario
A supportive space for teens to navigate challenges, understand themselves and build confidence.
I’m Emily Corkery, a Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO #006695) and former teacher. I see children from age 4, teens, young adults, adults and families in person in Stittsville (Ottawa) and online anywhere in Ontario, and I’m accepting new clients. The first step is a free 15-minute call.
Being a teenager comes with a lot of changes. School expectations, friendships, family relationships, social pressures and figuring out who you are can sometimes feel like a lot to manage.
Some teens express their struggles openly, while others keep things to themselves. You might notice your teen becoming more withdrawn, overwhelmed, anxious or easily frustrated. Perhaps they’re struggling with friendships, school pressures or their confidence.
As a parent, watching your teen struggle can be difficult. You want to help, but sometimes it’s hard to know what to say or how to reach them.
At Collaborative Counselling, I offer a welcoming, non-judgmental space where teens can talk openly, explore their experiences and develop practical tools to navigate life’s challenges.
When might a teen benefit from counselling?
The teenage years can bring emotional, social and academic challenges. While some ups and downs are a normal part of growing up, additional support can help when difficulties begin affecting everyday life.
Teens may benefit from counselling when experiencing:
- Anxiety and stress: Worry about school, the future, friendships, expectations or feeling like they need to get everything right. More about anxiety
- Low mood: Feeling sad, overwhelmed, unmotivated, disconnected or having difficulty enjoying things they once liked. More about low mood
- Self-esteem and confidence: Negative self-talk, comparison, perfectionism or struggling with self-worth. More about self-esteem
- Emotional regulation: Difficulty managing frustration, anger, sadness or intense emotions. More about emotional regulation
- Friendships and relationships: Social pressures, friendship changes, conflict, feeling left out or navigating relationships.
- School-related stress: Academic pressure, motivation, organization, performance expectations or difficulty balancing responsibilities.
- Life transitions: Changes in friendships, family circumstances, school environments or preparing for adulthood.
Sometimes teens aren’t sure exactly what’s wrong. They may simply know that things don’t feel quite right. That’s okay, too.
How can counselling help teens?
Counselling provides teens with an opportunity to slow down, make sense of what they’re experiencing and develop a better understanding of themselves.
Together, we can work toward helping teens:
- Better understand their thoughts and emotions.
- Develop healthy coping strategies for anxiety and stress.
- Build confidence and self-esteem.
- Navigate friendships and relationships.
- Manage difficult emotions and reactions.
- Challenge unhelpful thinking patterns.
- Develop self-awareness and emotional resilience.
- Feel more confident navigating changes and challenges.
My approach is collaborative. We identify goals that matter to the teen and work at a pace that feels comfortable and achievable.
My approach to teen counselling
I believe teens deserve to feel heard, respected and understood. Counselling isn’t about being told what to do or having someone judge your decisions. It’s about having a supportive person who can help you explore what’s happening and figure out what might help.
I draw on several evidence-informed therapeutic approaches, including:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) helps teens understand how thoughts, feelings and behaviours influence one another. We explore unhelpful thinking patterns and develop practical strategies to manage anxiety, stress and everyday challenges.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps teens develop awareness of their thoughts and emotions, practise mindfulness and make choices that align with their personal values.
- Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), when appropriate, can help parents and caregivers better understand and respond to their teen’s emotional needs, strengthening communication and connection within the family.
Our work is always tailored to the individual teen, their needs and their goals.
What about parent involvement and confidentiality?
I understand that parents are often the ones arranging counselling and wanting to know how their teen is doing.
At the same time, it’s important for teens to have a space where they feel comfortable speaking openly and developing independence.
We’ll have a clear conversation about confidentiality and parent involvement at the beginning of counselling. My goal is to create a balance where teens feel respected and supported, while parents can remain involved in appropriate ways.
When helpful, we can also work together to support communication and understanding within the family.
What to expect when starting teen counselling
Starting therapy can feel unfamiliar, and some teens may feel nervous about meeting someone new or talking about personal experiences.
A free 15-minute call is an opportunity for parents and/or teens to ask questions and learn more about the counselling process.
Sessions are 50 minutes and can take place in person in Stittsville or online anywhere in Ontario.
We work together to identify goals, build practical strategies and adjust our approach as needs change.
Sessions, fees and scope
Sessions are 50 minutes: $170 for individual sessions and $200 for family sessions. No HST, and I provide receipts for insurance. See Fees and the FAQ for details.
Counselling with me focuses on emotional and everyday mental health concerns. I don’t provide diagnoses or formal assessments; if another kind of support would serve you better, I’ll help you think about where to turn.
Common questions
Can my teen reach out on their own?
Yes. Parents and teens are both welcome to book the free 15-minute call. We’ll talk about consent and how parents are involved.
Will you tell parents what my teen says?
Not the details. We’ll have a clear conversation about confidentiality and its limits, such as safety concerns, at the start.
Do you see teens online?
Yes. Online sessions are available anywhere in Ontario.
Related support
Let’s take the first step
A space to feel heard, understood and supported. If you’re a parent looking for support for your teen, or a teen considering counselling, I’d love to connect. A free 15-minute call is an easy way to ask questions and see if we’re a good fit.
Book a free 15-minute callPrefer to talk? Call 613-577-2275
50-minute sessions · $170 individual · $200 family · No HST · Receipts for insurance