Teenagers - How Therapy Can Help When You're Feeling Overwhelmed

Teenagers - How Therapy Can Help When You're Feeling Overwhelmed

By Clair Lewoski | Cambridge Therapies

Being a teenager can feel like a rollercoaster. One minute you're laughing with friends, the next you feel like hiding away. Emotions hit hard, friendships can get messy, and sometimes it’s like no one really gets what you're going through.

You might feel:

• Overwhelmed or anxious for no clear reason

• Pressured by school, exams, or social media

• Like you're not good enough, even when others say you are

• Confused by your feelings — or frustrated that you can’t explain them

You're not alone — and therapy can help.

What Happens in Therapy?

Therapy isn’t just lying on a couch and talking. In fact, it doesn’t even have to be all about talking.

We might:

• Use drawing or creative ways to explore your emotions

• Write things down if talking is hard

• Sit quietly and breathe if your mind feels loud

• Talk about whatever's bothering you — school stress, friendships, family stuff, or how you see yourself

You don’t have to come in knowing exactly what to say. Just come as you are. Some weeks we’ll talk a lot, others we might not — and that’s completely okay.

Therapy is your space. You set the pace.

Why Therapy Helps

We all need a space where we can feel seen and not judged.

In therapy, you can:

• Understand why you feel the way you do

• Learn tools to calm your body and mind

• Work on being kinder to yourself (this is called self-compassion)

• Learn to notice your feelings and what might be triggering them

• Think about how your thoughts, feelings, and other people’s reactions all connect — this is called mentalising

“Mentalising is like emotional detective work — figuring out what’s going on inside you, and why others might act the way they do.”

Sometimes just having a place where someone listens — really listens — makes all the difference.

Real Stories (Names Changed)

Taylor, 14, was angry a lot and didn’t know why. In therapy, we uncovered sadness and confusion underneath the anger. Over time, he found ways to express what he needed without shutting down or lashing out.

Amelia, 13, constantly compared herself to others and felt anxious. Therapy gave her space to breathe, understand her self-worth, and practice self-compassion. Slowly, she started feeling more confident and grounded.

How I Can Help

I’ve worked with teenagers for over 20 years, and I know that one size never fits all. That’s why I offer therapy that’s:

• Creative – not everyone wants to talk the whole time

• Safe – no pressure, no judgement

• Collaborative – we figure things out together

• Gentle but powerful – you’re in control of your journey

This space is about you. Not who people think you should be — but who you actually are.

You don’t need a diagnosis, or a big reason. Feeling overwhelmed is reason enough.

Ready to Take a Step?

If you’re reading this and thinking, “This sounds like me,” then maybe this is your sign.

Learn more about how I work

About me – Clair Lewoski

Book a session – no pressure, just support

Let’s figure things out — together.