Adolescence is defined as the period of life from 12 to 18 years of age. During this time, a young person experiences transformations on several levels (physical, emotional, psychological). Sometimes these transformations occurring in, around, and after puberty can cause difficulties for adolescents often felt as insurmountable and deeply challenging. The end result can often mean parents are left feeling like they don’t know this young person and cannot relate to them anymore. Likewise, the young person can feel like their parent knows nothing about what they are going through at school or with friends.

At Vita House we offer a safe, non-judgemental and supportive space to allow teenagers to find out what their particular difficulties are related to. We support the elaboration of their thoughts, ideas, and ‘voice’ in order that they can feel more at ease in their minds, and bodies.

Psychotherapeutic work with adolescents can be enormously beneficial as it may prevent deeply-rooted problems from worsening in young adulthood.

All psychotherapists at Vita House working with adolescents are aware of and compliant with the Children First Guidelines 2017 and duties and responsibilities for mandated persons under the Children First Act 2015.

Some of the issues young people bring to counselling are:

  • Stress & Anxiety
  • Depression & Self-Harm
  • Alcohol & Drug Use
  • Body Image, Sexuality & Sexual Orientation
  • Parental Separation
  • Peer Relationships & Bullying
  • School refusal
  • Living with a label – ADHD, AUTISM etc