Therapy for Adolescents
at Authentic Living London
Helping a teen feel understood can change the course of their life. At Authentic Living London we offer adolescent therapy that is warm, practical, and focused on building coping skills and stronger relationships. We work with teens and their families to reduce distress, improve functioning at school and home, and support lasting emotional growth.
Who is adolescent therapy for?
Our adolescent therapy services are designed for young people aged about 12 to 18 who are experiencing one or more of the following:
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Anxiety or panic
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Low mood or depression
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Trouble with school, focus, or motivation
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Self harm or thoughts of harming themselves
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Identity questions including gender or sexuality concerns
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Anger, defiance, or behavioural challenges
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Social difficulties and peer conflict
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Grief, loss, or major life transitions
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Trauma and post traumatic stress symptoms
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Family conflict and communication problems
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If you are worried about safety, immediate risk, or thoughts of suicide, call local emergency services or your crisis line right away. Therapy can help reduce risk and teach safer ways to cope.
An adolescent’s brain and psychology are very different from an adult’s because they are still developing key areas related to decision making, emotional regulation, and social understanding. The prefrontal cortex, which helps with planning, impulse control, and long term thinking, is not fully developed yet, while the emotional centres of the brain are highly active. This creates strong feelings, quick reactions, and a greater sensitivity to stress and peer influence. Socially, adolescents are figuring out who they are, where they belong, and how to navigate friendships, romantic interests, and family roles. Their sense of identity is flexible and still forming, which makes them more open to growth, but also more vulnerable to pressure and self doubt. These developmental differences shape how teens think, feel, and respond, which is why they often need a tailored approach in therapy that recognizes their stage of life.
Our approach to working with adolescents
We believe adolescents need a therapeutic approach that respects their developing independence while keeping them safely connected to the adults who support them. Our core principles are:
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Trauma informed care. We assume difficulties can come from painful experiences and we move gently while building safety.
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Evidence based methods. We use therapies shown to work with teens such as cognitive behavioural strategies, dialectical behaviour therapy skills, family based approaches, and emotion focused work.
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Strengths focus. We start by noticing what the teen already does well and build from there.
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Collaborative planning. Teen, caregiver, and therapist agree on goals so work feels relevant and realistic.
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Practical skills. Sessions focus on tools that help with sleep, emotion regulation, problem solving, and relationships.
We offer both virtual and in person appointments
to fit your family's schedule and comfort level.
You can choose virtual video sessions or meet with us at our clinic in London Ontario. Many teens like a mixture of both. Virtual care is secure and private. If you choose in person, we maintain a welcoming and youth friendly space.
What to expect in the first sessions
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Intake and listening. The first session is mainly about building rapport, understanding the presenting concerns, and collecting relevant history. We will explain confidentiality and limits
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Goal setting. Together we set a short list of concrete, measurable goals the teen wants to work toward.
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Initial tools. We usually introduce a few practical coping strategies early on so the teen has something that helps right away.
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Family involvement. Caregivers are often invited to join parts of sessions to support skill practice and troubleshoot home or school issues. The amount of caregiver involvement is tailored to the teen’s age and needs.
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Plan for progress. We review how we will track progress and when to check in about changing the plan.Most families begin to notice small changes after a few sessions, with stronger and more lasting gains over weeks to months.
Therapy for adolescents is different from therapy for adults because teens are in a unique stage of rapid brain development, identity formation, and growing independence. Adolescents often struggle with strong emotions, peer pressure, school stress, and family conflict in ways that require a more flexible and collaborative approach. A therapist working with a teen must balance privacy with the need to keep caregivers involved for safety and support. Sessions often include practical skill building, shorter attention friendly strategies, and space to explore identity and relationships. While adults usually attend therapy with a clear understanding of their goals, teens often need help naming what feels wrong and figuring out what they want to change. Adolescent therapy focuses on building trust, strengthening communication, and supporting both the teen and the family system so change can happen at home, school, and in their daily life.
Confidentiality and caregiver involvement​
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We follow professional ethical standards about confidentiality. With adolescents we balance respecting a young person’s privacy and the caregiver’s need to know enough to keep them safe.
About Karissa Paterson, our adolescent specialist
Karissa Paterson, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Karissa Paterson is Authentic Living London’s adolescent specialist. She works exclusively with teens and their families and brings a calm, curious, and strengths focused style. Karissa has extensive experience supporting adolescents with anxiety, depression, self harm, identity concerns, trauma, and family conflict. Her practice is trauma informed and grounded in evidence based skills training. Karissa builds quick rapport with teens and partners closely with caregivers to create realistic plans that work at home and at school. She offers both virtual and in person appointments.
If you would like a clinician who understands the pressures of adolescence and knows how to make therapy safe and useful, ask for Karissa when you book. Her goal is to help teens feel more in control of their emotions and more confident in their relationships.
FAQ
How long are sessions and how often will we meet?
Standard appointments are 50 minutes. Many families start with weekly sessions and adjust frequency based on progress and need.
Will my teen be forced to share things they do not want to?
No. We build trust at the teen’s pace. Therapy works best when the teen feels safe and chooses to engage. Caregivers are involved in ways that support safety and progress without breaking trust.
How long does adolescent therapy take?
Length varies by problem and goals. Some goals can be reached in a few sessions. More complex issues take months. We review progress regularly and update the plan.
How do I book an appointment with Karissa?
Call our clinic or use the online booking system and request Karissa Paterson. If Karissa’s schedule is full, we can put you on Karissa's waitlist.
Ready to get started?
If you are concerned about a teen you love, booking an assessment is the next step. Early help matters. To book an assessment or to ask a question call Authentic Living London at 226-224-0301 or email info@authenticlivinglondon.com. You can also book online and request Karissa Paterson, our adolescent specialist.
We welcome both teens and caregivers and we will meet you with patience, skill, and respect. Book today to take the first step toward feeling better.