Teen Therapy in Peterborough, ON
A neutral space for teens to discuss what’s most important.
Therapy for teens 13+ with therapists who are relatable and genuinely care. Teens have a space where they can say anything they want with someone who understands them. In-person teen therapy in Peterborough, ON, & online across Ontario.
"Things have really changed ever since my teen started high school."
You can feel something is off, but your teen just doesn’t open up to you the way they used to. You feel confused about how you’re supposed to help when so much has changed between you and them.
Raising a teenager is way different than parenting a child. They’ve shared enough for both of you to know they could use some extra support. Things are difficult, but they’re ready to take the next step and get help.
At Lift Lock Therapy in Peterborough, ON, we work hard to create a neutral, private space where teens can be as open as possible with someone who truly understands them.
Reach out today.
Teen Therapy | Peterborough, ON
Why Therapy For Teens Helps
Teens are often concerned about the way other people think about them, so they keep quiet about their struggles. Therapy gives them a space to share their deepest concerns with someone they know is on their side.
Teenagers are more independent than kids, so they often look for help outside of their immediate family. They learn to identify the people they can rely on when they’re in need of help. They want to feel like the person helping understands them and has their back.
That’s the work we do here at Lift Lock Therapy. We also include parent support, because we know you still have an important role to play in the process. Don’t worry, sessions with your teen stay private. We make sure to tailor our approach in a way that feels good for everyone involved.
Meet Our Team
Match With a Teen Therapist in Peterborough, ON
Our team specializes in working with kids, teens, parents, and the adults in their lives. We come in with a plan, lock arms with families, and collaborate with the others in your child’s circle when it helps.
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Registered Psychotherapist
Registered Social Worker (MSW), Psychotherapist
Teen Therapy | Peterborough, ON
What Parents & Teens Can Expect From Therapy
For Parents
We start with you so we can hear what’s been happening, what you’ve tried, and what you want to change. From there, we keep you in the loop as we work with your teen, so you never wonder what’s happening on our end.
Over time, parents tell us they notice they:
- Have an improved ability to talk about hard things
- Can connect better with their teen
- Feel more confident in their parenting
For Teens
Hey, we get it. Life is hard and you don’t even know where to start.
Therapy here looks like an easy conversation where you don’t have to worry about what the other person is thinking. We’re here for you and ready to listen.
We know how important this time is for you. At Lift Lock Therapy, we promise to do our best to give you the support you need.
Teen Counselling | Peterborough, ON
What Can Teen Therapy Help With?
Anxiety
Worry, stomachaches, fatigue, avoidance, sleep issues, and big “what ifs” can all be signs of anxiety in kids. Therapy for children helps them understand what’s happening in their body and mind, and gives them the tools to handle it.
Stress
School pressure, packed schedules, social tension, or big changes at home can stack up on kids fast. Child therapy helps your kid notice when the load is getting heavy and figure out how to lighten it.
Emotional Dysregulation
Anger Management
When the response to “no” is a slammed door or a full meltdown, child therapy helps your kid notice anger earlier, slow it down, and figure out what’s underneath it.
Behavioural Issues & ODD
For kids stuck in cycles of defiance, pushback, or rule-breaking, individual therapy for children helps us figure out what’s really driving the behaviour. Parents get tools that work better than repeating themselves or raising their voice.
Trauma
Children can carry trauma from accidents, losses, scary moments, or family stress. We work at your child’s pace, using age-appropriate approaches that help them feel more settled in their body, their relationships, and their world.
Grief & Loss
ADHD & Attention Challenges
When focus, impulse control, or emotional regulation gets in the way at school or home, child therapy builds practical skills and helps your kid see their brain as something to work with, not push against.
Adoption Support & Distress in the Home
For adopted and foster families, and for any family where stress at home is shaking your kid’s sense of stability, we work with the child and the family to bring more calm and connection into the day-to-day.
Our Approach
Approaches We Use In Teen Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Teens
At Lift Lock Therapy, we help kids notice the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions in language that makes sense for their age. Worksheets, hands-on exercises, and real-life practice keep the work going outside of the session.
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) Skills for Teens
DBT skills, adapted for younger clients, give kids tools to get through big emotions, tolerate distress, and manage their relationships with parents, siblings, and friends.
Attachment-Based Therapy for Teens
The relationship between you and your child is one of the most powerful tools in the room. We use attachment-based work to strengthen that bond, because that’s where the long-term change lives.
Solution-Focused Therapy for Teens
Some of the best work happens with you and your kid in the room together. These combined sessions let us coach you both in real time, dig into what’s coming up between you, and build skills you can use the moment a hard situation hits at home.
Parent Support
Teen Therapy in Peterborough, ON
Teen Therapy FAQs
How do I know if my teen needs therapy?
A helpful place to start is how you feel when the concern shows up. If you’re regularly out of your element, unsure what to do, or you think your teen’s behaviour is too much for their age and stage, therapy can be a great place to begin.
We’ll work with you and your teen to put their behaviour into perspective and figure out what comes next. You also don’t have to commit long-term. Many parents start sessions, work through what’s in front of them, and finish. Others choose to keep going for the ongoing support. Either is great. To learn more about our approach, book a free 15-minute consultation.
How do I talk to my teen about coming to therapy?
For teens, you can name what you’re hoping therapy will help with, like worry, anger, or sadness, and frame it as something to try.
A few practical notes:
- Don’t bring it up during an argument
- Don’t use therapy as a threat
If you’d like a script before your teen’s first session, just ask. We’re happy to help.
What happens in our first therapy session?
Our first appointment is a parent counselling session, so just you (the parents or guardians), without your teen. We use that time to hear what’s going on, what you’ve already tried, and what you’re hoping for. We answer your questions and walk you through how we work.
From there, your teen comes in for their first child therapy session in Peterborough, and we get to know them through easy going conversation, and whatever they’re into. There’s no pressure to dive into the heavy stuff on day one.
What if my teen doesn't want to come?
More common than you’d think. Some teens are excited, some are nervous, and some flat-out refuse to get out of the car. We do our best to respect the teen’s choice to participate in counselling sessions. They’re usually much more excited to come after they’ve had a chance to meet us! If after that, they continue to refuse, parent sessions are a great place to start. At Lift Lock Therapy, we can work with you on what’s coming up at home, and your teen can join when they’re ready.
Does my teen need a diagnosis to attend therapy?
Nope, no diagnosis needed. Teen psychotherapy sessions focus on the symptoms (the worry, the quick escalations of anger, the avoidance) regardless of whether a diagnosis has been provided. If we think seeking a diagnosis with a psychologist or family doctor could be useful, we’ll let you know.
Will my teen need medication?
As psychotherapists, we don’t provide information about medication. That’s the role of medical professionals. We do see medication as a treatment option that can be combined with therapy to provide great support for your teen. We can also help the process by sending summary reports to medical professionals to assist with their assessment. Our recommendation is to gather information from your family doctor or paediatrician so you can make a decision that feels good to you.
Will you talk to my teen's school or doctor?
Yes, when it helps. With your consent, we collaborate with teachers, paediatricians, family doctors, and other people in your teen’s circle so everyone’s working from the same playbook. We can also provide reports for assessments, school accommodations, or referrals when they’re needed.
How long will my teen need therapy?
The length of therapy depends on what your teen is working through and varies a lot between clients. In general, 3 to 5 sessions is considered short-term therapy, 8 to 10 sessions medium-term, and 15 or more long-term. Our teen therapists check in with you regularly to see what’s working and whether more sessions are useful.
tEEN Therapy | Peterborough, ON
What Changes After Teen Therapy
Therapy gives teens a space to process and test their ideas in a concrete, low-risk way. Hard moments don’t disappear (they’re part of being a teens), but your teen now has options they may not have been aware of before. You also gain the tools to support them as well.
Over time, you may notice:
- More enjoyment in the relationship with your child
- A teen who's more open to trying new things, with fewer of the old worries holding them back
- Practical tools for the moments that used to feel impossible
- More confidence in your role and your decisions as a parent
- A teen who's thriving in their own life again
Lift Lock Therapy
How To Get Started