Adolescents & Family Therapy

The teenage years can be challenging for both young people and their parents. Changes in mood, behaviour, friendships, independence and communication are often a normal part of adolescence, but sometimes these changes can indicate that a young person is struggling and may benefit from additional support. With more than 20 years’ experience working with adolescents across education, health and other settings, Amanda can help parents understand what may be typical teenage development and when there may be cause for concern.

Therapy can support young people experiencing anxiety, low mood, school or friendship difficulties, changes in behaviour, relationship concerns or challenges with identity and independence. Amanda also works with parents and families to develop practical strategies for maintaining connection, communication and appropriate boundaries. Sessions may involve the young person individually, parents individually, or parents and teenagers together, depending on what is most appropriate. A brief consultation is available before the first appointment to discuss the situation and determine the best approach.

As daughters grow and develop their independence, relationships between mothers and daughters can change significantly. Communication may become more difficult, conflict can increase, and both may struggle to feel heard or understood. Therapy provides a supportive space to explore these patterns, understand the emotions beneath conflict and develop healthier ways of communicating and relating.

Amanda works collaboratively with mothers and daughters to identify underlying issues, repair patterns of communication and establish boundaries that support both connection and independence. The process begins with separate 50-minute sessions for the mother and daughter, followed by joint sessions where appropriate.

DBT groups are offered throughout the year, providing practical skills to help people manage emotions, navigate relationships and respond more effectively to challenging situations. Groups may be offered specifically for adolescents, with a separate parent group providing an overview of the skills being taught and practical guidance on how parents can support young people to understand and apply these skills in everyday life. Stand-alone modules are also available for those who would like to focus on a specific area, including emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, mindfulness and distress tolerance.