What is teenage therapy?
This page is about therapy for teenagers. What it involves, what it can help with, and how our practitioners at Integro Health support young people in a safe, non-judgemental environment in South West WA.
Teenage therapy is psychological support tailored to adolescents, who are navigating one of the most demanding stages of life. It gives a young person a confidential space to talk, or not talk, at their own pace, with someone who is genuinely on their side and not there to lecture them. Adolescence brings huge changes, in the brain, in relationships, in identity, and in independence, and it is completely normal for teens to struggle with some of it. Therapy is not about fixing your teenager or taking sides. It is about helping them feel understood and giving them tools to cope with what they are facing.
What teenage therapy can help with
Teenagers come to therapy for all sorts of reasons. Common ones include anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, stress about school and the future, friendship and relationship difficulties, identity and belonging, and the pressures of social media. Others need support through something specific, such as bullying, family conflict or separation, grief, self-harm, or a difficult experience. Sometimes a teen’s struggle shows up as withdrawal, anger, or changes in behaviour rather than words.
What we often see in practice is that a teenager’s behaviour, however frustrating or worrying, usually makes sense once you understand what they are dealing with underneath. Meeting them with respect and curiosity, rather than pressure, is what helps them open up.
At Integro Health, we take young people seriously and treat them as the capable individuals they are, while involving family in a way that supports rather than overrides them.
How we work with your teenager
There is no single correct path for a young person, and every teenager is different. What we do is work at their pace, in a way that respects their growing independence, using approaches grounded in psychological evidence and shaped around them.
Earning their trust
Teenagers can be understandably wary of adults who want to fix them. We take the time to build genuine trust and rapport, meeting them as equals, because a teen who feels respected will engage in a way one who feels managed never will.
A space of their own
Their sessions are theirs. Having somewhere confidential to speak freely, without worrying about disappointing or burdening the people close to them, is often a relief in itself and where the real work starts.
Understanding what sits underneath
We look beyond the behaviour to what is really going on, the pressures, fears, and experiences driving it, so we are helping with the cause rather than just the symptoms.
Involving family well
We involve parents and carers in a way that supports the young person rather than overriding them, helping you understand what is going on and how to support them, while respecting their need for some privacy.
Support at the right pace
Every young person moves at their own speed. We let the work unfold in a way that feels manageable for them, and check in with you along the way.
Meet the Team
At Integro Health, you do not just book a clinic. You choose a practitioner who understands you. Our team of experienced psychotherapists brings clinical depth, genuine warmth, and a broad range of specialisations together under one roof. Take a moment to read about each of our practitioners and find the right fit for where you are right now.
Dr Paul King
General Practitioner
MBBS Bachelor of Medicine/ Bachelor of Surgery
FRACGP Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Jools Fordyce
Social Worker & Family Therapist
Bachelor (Hons) – Applied Social Science with Diploma in Social Work
Postgraduate Diploma in Family and Relationship Therapy
Brooke Eden
Psychologist
Bachelor of Psychology
Graduate Diploma of Education
Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc.
Nicholas Kerr
Psychologist
Masters of Psychology (Organisational)
Bachelor of Arts
Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc.
Carli King
Office Administrator
As Practice Manager, Carli keeps the daily operations of Integro Health running smoothly, ensuring our clients always receive the highest standard of care.
What you can expect when you reach out
No lectures, no judgement
Your teenager will be met as a capable young person, with respect and genuine care. Not talked down to, and not judged.
Respecting their independence
We take young people seriously and give them a real say, while keeping family involved in a supportive way.
Evidence-based and teen-friendly
We use approaches proven to help adolescents, delivered in a way that actually connects with them, rather than a one-size formula.
In-clinic and online options
Whether your teen comes to our Eaton clinic in Bunbury or prefers the flexibility of telehealth, we can work with them wherever you are in South West WA.
What people get wrong about teenage therapy
One of the most common misconceptions is that a struggling teenager is just being difficult, moody, or attention-seeking, and will grow out of it. While some ups and downs are a normal part of adolescence, genuine distress is real and deserves support. Dismissing it can leave a young person feeling even more alone.
Another worry parents have is that seeking therapy means they have failed, or that the therapist will take their teenager’s side against them. Neither is true. Reaching out is good parenting, and our role is to support the young person and the family, not to referee.
We also hear from families in South West WA who waited a long time, hoping things would improve, before reaching out. Teenagers can be reluctant, and it is easy to put it off. But early support, at a point where a young person still has some openness, is often easier and more effective.
Finally, many parents assume their teen will refuse to go, or will not open up. Reluctance is normal, and it does not mean therapy will not work. At our Eaton clinic near Bunbury, or by telehealth, we are experienced at building trust with young people who arrive unsure, and many warm to it once they feel it is genuinely theirs.
Is teenage therapy right for my teen?
It is common to wonder whether your teenager’s struggles are serious enough for therapy, or whether it is just a normal phase. The honest answer is that if you are genuinely worried, it is worth seeking advice.
If your teen is anxious or low, withdrawing, unusually angry, struggling at school or socially, having trouble sleeping, or working through something difficult, even some of the time, then support can help. If you ever have concerns about their safety or self-harm, please seek help promptly. You can contact your GP, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, and in an emergency call 000.
How teenage therapy works
Every young person and family is different, but there are a few things most can expect:
We often start with a parent conversation to understand the background, followed by time one-on-one with your teenager to build trust and hear their perspective.
Sessions are theirs, with a level of confidentiality that helps them speak freely, balanced with keeping you informed about anything important, especially around safety.
Family is involved thoughtfully, in a way that supports your teen rather than overriding them. Where helpful, we may suggest family therapy alongside.
At Integro Health, our aim is to help your young person feel heard, steadier, and more able to cope. You can read more about what to expect on our first session page.
Your questions answered
Yes, in many cases. A Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP gives you a Medicare rebate for up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year with a registered psychologist. Your GP will assess your eligibility. It is worth getting a referral in place with your GP in Bunbury, Busselton, or wherever you are located before your first session.
Reluctance is completely normal and does not mean therapy will not help. We are experienced at gently building trust with young people who arrive unsure, and we never force anything. Sometimes it helps to frame the first session as just a conversation, with no commitment. Many teens who start out resistant come to value having a space of their own.
Confidentiality is important for teenagers to feel safe opening up, so what they share is treated with care and privacy. At the same time, we keep parents informed about anything that matters for their wellbeing and safety. We are always clear with both the young person and the family, from the outset, about how this balance works.
Yes. We offer telehealth sessions across South West WA and Australia-wide, so you can access support from home or anywhere private, whether you are in a regional area like Manjimup or Collie or simply prefer the convenience. Online sessions work in the same structured, supportive way as in-clinic ones.
This varies with what they are working through. Some young people benefit from a short, focused piece of work, others from longer support, particularly through a difficult period. We review progress regularly and keep it in step with what your teen actually needs.
We work with adolescents through the teenage years, adapting to each young person’s maturity and situation. For younger children, our child therapy may be a better fit, and for those moving into adulthood, adult therapy. If you are unsure, get in touch and we can advise.
No referral is needed to book a session. You can contact us directly to arrange a first appointment. If you would like to access Medicare rebates through a Mental Health Treatment Plan, you will need a GP referral first, and we can guide you through that.
We use evidence-based approaches adapted for young people, including CBT and ACT, delivered in a way that genuinely connects with teens rather than talking at them. Where trauma or difficult experiences are involved, we draw on trauma-informed approaches. Everything is tailored to your young person.
