Adolescent Therapy
See psychologists specialising in
“Being a teenager these days is not for the feint of heart”
– Anonymous
At the best of times, adolescence is a time fraught with anxiety, angst and challenges. Throw in social media and the pressures of the 21st century with an increasing global awareness on sex, identity and gender issues and it’s amazing our teens are even surviving. There are often times when a teen may need therapy to help them through these difficult years.
How to know when a teen needs therapy:
- Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness
- Constant anger and a tendency to overreact to situations
- Persistent worry, anxiety, or fearfulness
- Preoccupation with physical illness or their own appearance
- Fear that someone is controlling his/her mind, or that he/she is “out of control”
- A sudden, unexplained drop in grades at school
- A loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed
- Changes in patterns of sleeping or eating
- Reclusiveness, preferring to be alone rather than in the company of friends or family
- Hearing voices that aren’t there
- Expressing thoughts of suicide
- An inability to concentrate, think clearly, or make decisions
- An inability to sit still
- Performing routines obsessively throughout the day, such as washing hands or cleaning things
- Experiencing regular nightmares
- Alcohol or drug use
- Dieting obsessively, or binging followed by vomiting or taking laxatives
- Taking part in violent acts such as setting fires or killing animals
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy for Teens
Teens are the masters of cooperating but not participating and in therapy this can be a challenge for them. They have all the emotions and stresses that any adult might have, minus the emotional intelligence and frontal lobe brain function to be able to express these difficulties, accept help, and cope with their rapidly changing bodies, social worlds and identities. Too big for play therapy and too young sometimes for talk therapy, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is a unique offering in that teens are able to work experientially while addressing deeply rooted sources of distress and anxiety. There is no riding of the horses involved, but the teen has the opportunity to work with the horses in a series of semi structured tasks planned by the therapist and supported by an Equine Behaviour Therapist to help them heal, learn and grow.
Psychologists specialising in Adolescent Therapy:
Jessica Papaioannou
Clinical Psychologist & Partner
Jessica is a passionate Clinical Psychologist and Partner, experienced in guiding individuals and couples through their journey towards emotional well-being. She has experience working with anxiety, depression, trauma, and various other mental health challenges.
Carol Yan
Counselling Psychologist
Carol Yan is a Counselling Psychologist providing online therapy to children, adults, couples, families and expats living abroad.
Shawni Botha
Clinical Psychologist & Partner
Shawni Botha is a Clinical Psychologist and Partner who is passionate about promoting mental health and facilitating personal and interpersonal growth and healing.
Snenhlanhla Mshengu
Educational Psychologist
Sne has experience working with emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, social skills, grief and barriers to learning in both children and adults.