As a parent in Orleans, watching your teenager struggle can feel overwhelming and isolating. You might find yourself wondering: Is this just typical teenage behavior, or is something more serious going on? It’s a question many parents grapple with, and the answer isn’t always clear-cut. At Growing Minds Counseling & Wellness, an Orleans teen therapist practice with over 14 years of experience, we help families navigate these challenging moments every day.
The teenage years bring natural ups and downs, but certain warning signs indicate when professional support becomes necessary. Understanding these signs can make the difference between early intervention and prolonged suffering. Here are five critical indicators that your teen may benefit from therapy.
1. Persistent Sadness or Irritability Lasting Weeks
Mood swings are normal during adolescence, but when sadness, emptiness, or irritability persists for weeks or months, it’s time to pay attention. Your teen might seem constantly on edge, snap at family members without provocation, or withdraw into their room for extended periods.
Unlike temporary frustration over a bad grade or social conflict, persistent low mood doesn’t lift even when circumstances improve. As an experienced Orleans child therapist serving teens ages 13–18, we’ve seen how untreated depression can impact every aspect of a young person’s life — from relationships to academic performance to physical health.
What to watch for:
- Crying frequently or seeming sad most days
- Increased anger, hostility, or frustration over small things
- Loss of enthusiasm for activities they once loved
- Expressing feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
2. Social Withdrawal from Friends and Activities
Has your once-social teenager started avoiding friends, skipping team practices, or declining invitations to activities they previously enjoyed? Social withdrawal is one of the most telling signs that a teen is struggling emotionally.
At Growing Minds Counseling & Wellness, our Orleans therapist team recognizes that isolation often stems from anxiety, depression, or overwhelming stress. Teens may feel they don’t fit in, fear judgment from peers, or simply lack the energy to maintain relationships. Left unaddressed, this withdrawal can deepen feelings of loneliness and exacerbate mental health challenges.
Red flags include:
- Spending excessive time alone in their room
- Avoiding social gatherings, family events, or extracurricular activities
- Losing touch with close friends
- Declining participation in sports, clubs, or hobbies they once loved
3. Academic Decline or School Avoidance
A sudden drop in grades, incomplete assignments, or frequent absences often signal that something deeper is affecting your teen. While occasional academic struggles are normal, persistent patterns of decline or school refusal warrant professional attention.
School-related stress, undiagnosed ADHD, anxiety disorders, or depression can all manifest as academic problems. As a specialized Orleans teen therapist with extensive school-based experience, Mélanie Lacombe understands the complex relationship between mental health and academic performance. Through personalized therapy approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), teens can develop effective coping strategies and regain their confidence.
Warning signs:
- Grades are dropping significantly without explanation
- Missing assignments or incomplete homework
- Complaints of frequent headaches or stomachaches before school
- Refusing to attend school or leaving early regularly
- Loss of motivation or expressing that school “doesn’t matter.”
4. Sleep or Appetite Changes
Significant changes in sleep patterns or eating habits are often physical manifestations of emotional distress. Your teen might be sleeping far more than usual, struggling with insomnia, experiencing dramatic weight loss or gain, or developing disordered eating patterns.
These changes disrupt the body’s natural rhythms and can worsen existing mental health symptoms, creating a challenging cycle. At our Orleans child therapist practice, we help families understand that these physical symptoms often reflect deeper emotional struggles requiring professional intervention.
Look out for:
- Sleeping excessively (12+ hours daily) or experiencing severe insomnia
- Significant unexplained weight loss or gain
- Skipping meals regularly or eating in secret
- Expressing concerns about body image or food restriction
- Fatigue despite adequate rest
5. Risky Behaviors: Self-Harm, Substance Use, or Reckless Actions
Perhaps the most urgent warning sign is engagement in risky or self-destructive behaviors. This includes self-harm (cutting, burning), substance use (alcohol, drugs, vaping), reckless driving, or other dangerous activities. These behaviors often represent attempts to cope with overwhelming emotions or numbing psychological pain.
If you discover your teen is engaging in any form of self-harm or risky behavior, immediate professional support is essential. Our compassionate team of therapists at Growing Minds Counseling & Wellness in Orleans provides a safe, non-judgmental space where teens can explore these behaviors and develop healthier coping mechanisms through evidence-based approaches, such as DBT and Attachment-Focused Therapy.
Critical warning signs:
- Unexplained cuts, burns, or bruises (often on arms, thighs, or stomach)
- Finding drug paraphernalia or noticing alcohol missing
- Reckless behavior without regard for consequences
- Giving away prized possessions
- Expressing thoughts of suicide or self-harm
If your teen expresses suicidal thoughts or intentions, seek immediate help by calling 988 (Suicide Crisis Helpline) or visiting your nearest emergency room.
Why Early Intervention Matters
Mental health challenges rarely improve on their own. Without proper support, symptoms often worsen over time, impacting your teen’s development, relationships, academic success, and overall quality of life. The good news? Early intervention through therapy can be truly transformative.
At Growing Minds Counseling & Wellness, we’ve witnessed countless teens regain their confidence, develop healthy coping skills, and rediscover joy in their lives. Our Orleans teen therapist services are specifically designed to meet young people where they are, using proven therapeutic approaches tailored to their unique needs.
What to Expect from Teen Therapy in Orleans
If you’re considering therapy for your teenager, you may wonder what the process entails. At Growing Minds Counseling & Wellness, we offer:
Personalized Treatment Plans: Every teen is unique, which is why we customize our approach using evidence-based methods, including:
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for emotional regulation
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for negative thought patterns
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Art Therapy for creative expression
- Attachment-Focused Therapy for Relationship Building
Bilingual Services: We provide therapy in both English and French, ensuring your teen can communicate comfortably in their preferred language.
Flexible Scheduling: With daytime, evening, and weekend appointments available, we make it easy to fit therapy into your family’s busy schedule.
No Waitlist: Unlike many practices, we’re currently accepting new clients with immediate availability — because your teen’s mental health shouldn’t have to wait.
In-Person and Virtual Options: Choose between in-person sessions at our Orleans location (4473 Innes Road, Suite 404F) or convenient virtual therapy across Ontario.
How to Talk to Your Teen About Therapy
Bringing up therapy can feel daunting. Here are some tips from our experienced Orleans child therapist team:
1. Choose the right moment: Find a calm, private time when you won’t be interrupted.
2. Lead with empathy: Start by acknowledging what you’ve observed: “I’ve noticed you seem really stressed lately” rather than accusations like “You’re always angry.”
3. Normalize therapy: Explain that therapy is a tool for growth and support, not a punishment or sign of failure. Many successful people work with therapists.
4. Offer choice: Let your teen have input in the process. Would they prefer a male or female therapist? In-person or virtual sessions?
5. Address concerns: Teens often worry about confidentiality or being “labeled.” Reassure them that therapy is private and doesn’t define who they are.
Take the First Step Today
If you’ve recognized one or more of these warning signs in your teen, don’t wait. Early intervention can prevent symptoms from worsening and help your teen develop the resilience and skills they need to thrive.
At Growing Minds Counseling & Wellness, we’re here to support your family through this journey. As a trusted Orleans therapist practice specializing in children, teens, and young adults ages 5–22, we bring over 14 years of clinical experience and a deep commitment to helping young people flourish.
Contact us today for a free 15-minute consultation:
- Phone: (343) 321–0634
- Email: melanie.lacombe00@gmail.com
- Location: 4473 Innes Road, Suite 404F, Orleans, ON K4A 1A7
Visit our website at www.growingmindscounselingwellness.com to learn more about our therapy services, treatment approaches, and to book your appointment online.
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