Parents of Teenagers - How Therapy Can Support Your Teenager Through the Challenges of Adolescence
- Clair Lewoski
- May 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 5
How Therapy Can Support Your Teenager Through the Challenges of Adolescence
By Clair Lewoski | Cambridge Therapies
Parenting a teenager can be overwhelming. You might see mood swings, withdrawal, outbursts, or emotional shutdown and wonder: Is this normal, or does my child need help?
Adolescence is a time of massive neurological and emotional change. Therapy can offer a safe, grounding space for teens to explore what they’re feeling, develop emotional tools, and rebuild confidence and trust in themselves.
Why Teens Struggle: Understanding the Teenage Brain
The teenage brain is still developing — particularly the areas responsible for judgment, impulse control, and emotional regulation. Add pressure from school, social media, identity, peers, and family expectations, and it’s no surprise that many teens feel overwhelmed, misunderstood, or anxious.
Sometimes this shows up as:
Withdrawal from family or friends
Emotional outbursts or shutdown
Anxiety, low mood, or avoidance of school
Identity confusion or low self-worth
Many parents search terms like "teen therapy Cambridge" or "child behaviour specialist near me" — and therapy can be a valuable next step in support.
What Therapy at Cambridge Therapies Offers Teenagers: A Safe and Creative Space to Express
Therapy begins with building trust. I offer a supportive environment where young people can speak freely — or explore their feelings through creative means like art, metaphor, or journaling.
As child and adolescent psychiatrist Dan Siegel explains, we must “name it to tame it.” Simply naming emotions — aloud or in writing — helps calm the brain’s "fire alarm" (the amygdala), allowing for more thoughtful responses.
Many teens who arrive in therapy don’t yet know what they feel. Therapy helps them tune in to their inner world, put words to complex emotions, and discover that their feelings make sense.
Learning to Mentalise
Mentalizing means understanding the connection between feelings, thoughts, wishes, and intentions — in ourselves and in others. It’s a powerful skill for emotional development and building healthier relationships.
In therapy, teens learn to:
Recognise what they feel
Link emotions to situations or thoughts
Reflect on how their inner world affects others
Mentalising supports empathy, communication, and social connection — essential tools for life and relationships.
Mindfulness, Regulation, and Self-Compassion
I also integrate mindfulness practices and calming strategies. Teens learn to:
Self-soothe during emotional overwhelm
Recognise triggers and warning signs
Practice self-compassion and develop a healthier self-image
These are lifelong skills that can protect mental health well beyond adolescence.
Real Stories (Identities Changed for Confidentiality)
Yasmin, 14, felt disconnected, often shutting down or withdrawing. Through therapy, she learned to name her emotions and regulate them in healthier ways. She began reconnecting with herself and her friendships.
Ben, 13, faced constant academic pressure and struggled with anxiety. Therapy helped him identify his inner critic, release perfectionism, and develop more helpful tools for managing stress.
These are just two examples of the many young people who’ve found grounding, growth, and strength in therapy.
Why Work With Me
I bring over 20 years of experience supporting children, teenagers, and families. My approach blends:
Attachment theory — to understand how early relationships shape self-worth and connection
Creative exploration — so teens don’t feel pressured to talk before they’re ready
Trauma-informed care — creating emotional safety, especially for sensitive or overwhelmed teens
Parent collaboration — offering insight and tools without breaking therapeutic trust
Therapy with me is collaborative, warm, respectful — and grounded in what young people truly need.
Ready to Support Your Teen?
If your teenager is struggling, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Therapy can help them feel more grounded, confident, and connected.
Interested in attachment-based parenting support? Book a session - Let’s give your teen the support they deserve.
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