Counselling for teenagers with registered psychologists & counsellors
Adolescence is a time of rapid change, and most young people go through patches of stress, moodiness or self-doubt. When those patches last, or start to affect school, friendships and home life, early support makes a real difference. The earlier a young person learns to understand and manage what is happening for them, the better the outcomes tend to be.
The psychologists and counsellors in attendance at Brisbane Counselling Centre who work with young people use evidence-based approaches adapted for adolescents, including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), skills from dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), narrative therapy and EMDR. Sessions are practical, conversational and paced for the young person.
Please call (07) 3831 4452 to speak with one of our friendly team members about which practitioner would suit your teenager.
Written and clinically reviewed by Natascha Madden, Registered Psychologist (AHPRA reg. PSY0000953827), Brisbane Counselling Centre. Last reviewed: October 2026
Is it just a phase, or does my teenager need help?
Some changes are a normal part of growing up: wanting more privacy, spending more time with friends, being moody, pushing back against rules. It is worth talking to a professional when changes last more than a couple of weeks, feel out of character, or start to get in the way of everyday life.
Signs a teenager may benefit from support include:
- Persistent sadness, irritability or anger
- Pulling away from friends, family or activities they used to enjoy
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Not wanting to go to school, or a noticeable drop in school performance
- Frequent headaches or stomach aches without a clear medical cause
- Excessive worry, panic attacks or avoiding situations
- Risk-taking, alcohol or drug use
- Talking about feeling hopeless, or about self-harm or not wanting to be here
If you are worried about your teenager’s immediate safety, call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department. For urgent advice, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800. Kids Helpline is free, 24 hours, and young people can call it themselves.
You are not alone in noticing these changes. The Australian Bureau of Statistics National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing found that almost two in five Australians aged 16 to 24 (38.8%) experienced a mental health condition in the previous 12 months, with anxiety the most common. Almost half of young women in that age group (45.5%) were affected.
What do teenagers come to counselling for?
Anxiety and worry – Worry about school, friendships, performance or the future, social anxiety, panic attacks, and avoiding situations. Read more about anxiety counselling.
Low mood and depression – Ongoing sadness, flatness, irritability, low motivation and withdrawing from people. Read more about depression counselling.
School stress, exams and school refusal – Pressure around senior school and ATAR, perfectionism, difficulty concentrating, and anxiety that makes it hard to get to school at all.
Friendships, bullying and social media – Falling out with friends, exclusion, bullying and cyberbullying, and the constant comparison that can come with social media. Counselling can help young people build confidence and work out healthier ways of using their phones.
Family change and conflict – Parental separation, blended families, a new sibling, a move, or ongoing conflict at home. Sometimes family counselling alongside individual sessions is helpful.
Grief, trauma and difficult experiences – The death of someone close, a frightening event, or experiences that keep replaying. Read more about grief and loss and trauma and PTSD.
Anger, self-esteem and identity – Big emotions that are hard to manage, low self-worth, body image concerns, and questions about who they are. If you are concerned about eating, please also see your GP and read our page on eating disorders.
If you are a young person reading this
Counselling is a space to talk to someone who is not your parent, teacher or friend, who will listen without judging you, and who can help you work out what is going on and what might make things easier. You do not need to know exactly what to say. A lot of people start with “I don’t really know, things just feel hard at the moment”, and that is completely fine.
What you talk about stays private, with a few exceptions to keep you safe. Your psychologist or counsellor will explain exactly what those are in your first session, so there are no surprises.
What happens in counselling for teenagers?
The first session is mostly about getting to know the adolescent and understanding what has been happening for them. Often a parent or carer joins for the beginning of the first session, then the young person continues on their own. The practitioner will explain how confidentiality works, ask about school, friends, family and interests, and start to work with you to help figure out some goals.
Later sessions focus on practical skills, such as managing anxious thoughts, calming the body, handling conflict, and building confidence, alongside space to talk. Sessions are for an hour. Many young people notice a difference within six to ten sessions, though this depends on what they are working on.
Will I be told what my teenager talks about?
Teenagers are much more likely to open up when they trust that what they say is private. At the start, the practitioner will agree with both you and your teenager what will be shared with you, which is usually general updates on how things are going rather than the details of each session.
Confidentiality has important limits. If the practitioner believes your teenager, or someone else, is at serious risk of harm, they will act to keep them safe, which may include telling you. They will usually talk with your teenager about this first.
In Australia, a young person who is assessed as mature enough to understand their treatment can consent to counselling themselves. This is sometimes called being a “mature minor”. At Brisbane Counselling Centre, young people under 16 need a parent or guardian’s consent to begin counselling.
How to encourage a teenager who does not want to go
It is very common for teenagers to be reluctant at first to talk to a psychologist or counsellor. Some things that help:
- Raise it at a calm time, not during or straight after an argument.
- Conversations in the car or on a walk often feel less intense.
- Describe counselling as a chance to talk to someone neutral, a bit like a coach, rather than a sign something is wrong with them.
- Give them some choices, such as the day, whether it is online or in person, or whether they would rather see a male or female practitioner.
- Ask them to try two or three sessions before deciding.
- Make it clear it is not a punishment, and that what they say is private.
If your teenager is not ready, you can still book a session for yourself to talk through how best to support them. See our counselling for parents page.
How can parents support a teenager who is struggling?
- Listen more than you advise and let them finish before you respond.
- Take their feelings seriously, even when the problem seems small from the outside.
- Keep routines around sleep, food and movement as steady as you can.
- Talk openly about mental health at home so it feels normal to ask for help.
- Look after your own wellbeing. Supporting a struggling teenager can be challenging.
Fees, Medicare and booking
Young people can access Medicare rebates in the same way as adults. With a Mental Health Treatment Plan from their usual GP, Medicare rebates $101.55 per session with a registered psychologist, for up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year. Young people aged 15 and over can have their own Medicare card and can see a GP on their own if they choose.
Fees are the same as for adults. Sessions with a psychologist are $255 to $275 on weekdays and $295 on weekends. Fees with a counsellor range from $190 to $220 during the week and $240 on the weekend. See the Fees & Rebates page for full details, including private health cover.
Free and low-cost services are also available for 12 to 25 year olds through headspace centres. Some families choose a private practice for shorter wait times, continuity with one practitioner, Saturday appointments, or particular approaches such as EMDR.
- Call (07) 3831 4452 or complete the enquiry form. Our reception team will talk through what is happening and suggest a suitable practitioner. You do not need a referral to book.
- See your GP if you want a Medicare rebate. Ask for a Mental Health Treatment Plan. You can book before or after that appointment.
- Attend the first session. Bring your teenager’s Medicare card (or yours, if they are listed on it) and the plan if you have one.
Brisbane Counselling Centre is at Level 7, 87 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill, about five minutes’ walk from Central Station, and is open Monday to Friday 7:30am to 5:30pm and Saturday 8:30am to 5:00pm. Online sessions are also available. Meet the psychologists and counsellors.
Frequently asked questions
What age do you see teenagers from?
Does my teenager need a referral to see a psychologist?
Can teenagers get a Medicare rebate for counselling?
Do parents need to give consent for a teenager to see a psychologist?
Will the psychologist or counsellor tell me what my teenager says?
Should I come to the first session with my teenager?
How much does counselling for a teenager cost?
What if my teenager refuses to go to counselling?
How many sessions will my teenager need?
Can teenagers have online counselling?
Are there after-school or Saturday appointments?
What is the difference between Headspace and a private psychologist?
What should I do if my teenager talks about self-harm or suicide?
Help is available
If you are a teenager or family member of an adolescent who is concerned and can relate to any of this information, we can help and support you at Brisbane Counselling Centre. Talking to a caring professional who understands the complexities of teenage life will really help to improve the quality of your life or assist you in supporting an adolescent. Take the courageous step and reach out for help today.
If you are struggling or are wondering what is happening for yourself, it is important to seek assistance from a mental health professional to address the whatever you are experiencing. Please call to speak with one of our friendly team members to discuss your needs further. The Brisbane psychologists and counsellors are available to help.
