A time of great change

Between childhood and adulthood, everything moves at once: the body, emotions, relationships with parents and friends, school expectations, questions of identity and the future. These changes are necessary for growing up, and most teenagers go through them with ups and downs.

Sometimes, though, the distress lasts or intensifies. The teenager withdraws, can no longer go to school, stops sleeping, takes risks, or seems to be carrying something they cannot put into words. It can then be invaluable to find an adult outside the family and school, trained to listen without judging.

What difficulties can teenagers seek help for?

  • Anxiety and stress: pressure at school, exam fears, social anxiety, panic attacks (see anxiety disorders).
  • Sadness and withdrawal: loss of motivation, isolation, persistent irritability, which can signal depression.
  • School difficulties: disengagement, refusing to go to school, difficulties with attention or organisation.
  • Relationships: family conflict, difficulties with friends, bullying, first romantic relationships.
  • Self-esteem and identity: body image, questions about who you are and who you want to become.
  • Screens and substances: video games, social media, alcohol, cannabis (see addiction).
  • Life events: parents’ separation, bereavement, a move, expatriation, a traumatic event.

For teenagers who have moved to France with their family, adjusting to a new school system, a new language and new friendships can add to the usual challenges of adolescence. Being able to talk in English or Portuguese can make it easier to open up.

The parents’ perspective

Parents are often the first to sense that something is wrong, without always knowing how to talk about it with their child or whether to worry. How can you tell a phase from deeper distress? How do you suggest therapy to a reluctant teenager? What happens in sessions, and what is the parents’ role? I have gathered answers to these questions on a dedicated page: my teenager is struggling: when to see a psychologist?

Attention, concentration, neurodevelopment

Some school or relationship difficulties are partly explained by a neurodevelopmental condition, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sometimes only identified in adolescence. Trained to recognise these conditions, I help take stock of the difficulties observed and refer for a full assessment when needed. To find out more: ADHD and neurodevelopmental conditions.

How I work with teenagers

Confidentiality. What a teenager shares in sessions remains confidential. That is what allows them to speak freely. Parents can be informed about the framework and the general progress of therapy, without the content of sessions being reported. Only a situation of danger can justify sharing certain information, as far as possible after discussing it with the teenager.

Working with the family. For minors, parental consent is required, and an initial conversation with the parents can be offered. Depending on the situation, family sessions can also be helpful: the systemic approach, which is part of my training, looks at a teenager’s difficulties within the whole set of family relationships.

A tailored approach. With teenagers, I combine listening, practical tools to manage stress and emotions, and reflection on what they are experiencing. The frequency and length of therapy are agreed together (find out more about my approach).

Sessions last about 50 minutes, at the Brotteaux practice, 134 rue de Sèze in Lyon 6th, easily reached by metro lines A and B. Video consultations are also possible, in English, French or Portuguese, for bilingual or expatriate teenagers. Fees are listed on the home page.

Frequently asked questions

Can my teenager book an appointment on their own?

For a minor, parental consent is required. A teenager who wants to see someone can talk to their parents, or turn to free, confidential listening services such as the Maison des Adolescents du Rhône or Fil Santé Jeunes in France.

What if they do not want to come?

That is common. It is better not to force them, but to explain why you are worried and present therapy as a space for them. Parents can also come on their own at first to think the situation through.

Do parents attend the sessions?

Generally, the teenager is seen alone, possibly after an initial time with their parents. Family sessions can be offered when helpful, with the teenager’s agreement.

Useful resources