Teens

The Right Approach For Teen Counselling

Counselling for teens Calgary session

Counselling for Teens

At Rocky Mountain Psychological Services, we understand that adolescence is a transitional period of growth and change. It’s a time of significant physical, cognitive, and psychological development. Teens face pressures related to academics, social relationships, identity, and family expectations. All these challenges can lead to difficulties such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, or behavioral concerns. Taking professional support through counselling for teens can provide clarity, guidance, and healthier ways of coping.

RMPS psychologists use their clinical skills first to engage the teenager, then decide whether the best approach to address the issue is traditional talk therapy or other modalities, such as expressive arts, sand, or other modalities.

We not only address difficulties in our teenage counselling but also help teens recognize their strengths and build confidence. By providing teens with a safe and supportive environment, we give them freedom to explore their emotions and experiences openly, without fear of judgment. Our psychologists tailor therapy to teens’ needs, to help sessions feel meaningful and effective.

Counselling helps teens learn strategies that can help them manage stress, regulate emotions, and improve their communication. All these skills support them with building stronger relationships with peers and family members, and teach them how to face life challenges with confidence. Parents are involved when appropriate, allowing progress made in sessions to be supported at home and school.

With the right support, counselling helps teens move beyond short-term struggles and develop the confidence, awareness, and coping strategies they need to thrive in the future.

Therapy for Teens: Neurotherapy Approach

Neurofeedback, also called EEG biofeedback or neurotherapy, makes use of the brain’s capacity for change to reshape brain networks. This therapy has a growing body of research suggesting this can be helpful for sharpening attention, reducing anxiety and tension, enhancing mood, and improving learning and behavior. You and your teen will see their progress in black and white.

Teenagers are in an emotional developmental phase where they may find it difficult to regulate their emotions. They are learning to manage emotions but also have more on their plate than they did back when they were younger. Neurofeedback therapy is different from traditional approaches in that it trains the brain to self-regulate. During sessions, sensors are placed on the scalp to measure brainwave activity. The teen then engages in simple tasks or games while receiving real-time feedback about how their brain is functioning. Over time, the brain learns to adopt healthier patterns, often leading to noticeable improvements in attention, emotional balance, and self-control.

At RMPS, we integrate neurotherapy into a broader treatment plan to ensure that it meets a teenager’s unique needs. Whether a teenager is struggling with ADHD, depression, anxiety, or academic challenges, this approach can complement traditional counselling and other therapeutic methods. Parents appreciate the measurable results, as progress is tracked before, during, and after sessions.

children psychologist calgary neurotherapy

By combining clinical expertise with innovative brain-based techniques, neurotherapy empowers teens to build resilience, regulate emotions more effectively, and perform better both academically and socially. It is a powerful option for families seeking long-term solutions that address the root of challenges rather than just the symptoms.

Teens don’t just need quick fixes; they need real tools they can carry for life. That’s where neurotherapy comes in. Blending clinical expertise with brain-based techniques helps teens learn to regulate their emotions, bounce back when things get tough, and face life challenges with more resiliency. For families, it’s not just about easing the surface struggles but digging deeper and building lasting change.

teen assessment in alberta

Teen Assessment in Alberta

Assessments are a formal way of measuring how well your teen is functioning compared to others in their age group. They provide valuable insight into areas such as learning, behavior, and emotional well-being. Families often seek assessments to help address concerns related to school, but they can also be used to shed light on behavioral, emotional, or relational problems that may be impacting the teen at home, in social groups, or during extracurricular activities such as clubs and sports.

At RMPS, our psychologists work closely with teens and parents to make sure that the assessment is specifically tailored to their unique needs. Our evaluations identify both strengths and weaknesses where additional support is required. The process often involves a combination of interviews, standardized tests, and observations to create a clear picture of your teen’s functioning.

Assessments can answer important questions, such as:

  • Is my teen struggling with a learning disability, such as dyslexia?
  • Why does my teen seem to struggle with getting things organized and done on time?
  • Are emotional challenges, like anxiety or depression, affecting performance or relationships?
  • How can schools, teachers, and parents provide better support?
  • What strategies or therapies might be most effective for my teen?

Once completed, we explain results clearly to parents and teenagers and talk about what the results mean for everyday life. From there, we talk about next steps and recommendations. The recommendations may include targeted interventions, school accommodations, and/or therapy services. Our team ensures that feedback is actionable, helping families and educators apply strategies that make a real difference in everyday life.

By providing a deeper understanding of your teen’s challenges and potential, assessments serve as the foundation for personalized treatment and ongoing growth. They empower families to take informed steps toward supporting their teens’ long-term well-being and success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of couselling for teens?

Counselling for teens provides support in managing stress, depression, low self-esteem, and behavioral issues. It also helps teenagers develop coping skills, improve communication, and build stronger relationships at home and school.

If your teen is showing signs of academic struggles, mood changes, withdrawal, anger outbursts, or difficulty managing emotions, these could be reasons for an assessment or counseling supports. A consultation with a psychologist can help you decide your next best step.

Neurotherapy, also known as neurofeedback, can help teens improve emotional regulation, focus, and self-control by training the brain to adopt healthier patterns. It can be beneficial for anxiety, ADHD, depression, and learning challenges, providing long-term results.

A psychologist who works with teens creates a safe and supportive environment where your child can explore their feelings and challenges without judgment. Using evidence-based therapies, they help teens develop different perspectives and skills to address their challenges

Yes. At RMPS, parents are included when appropriate to ensure that progress made in sessions is supported at home and school. This collaboration helps create consistency, strengthens family relationships, and maximizes the effectiveness of counselling.

Contact Us Today

Cassandra White

Cassandra has been the owner and Director of RMPS since 2013. She brings more than 20 years of experience in working with children and families to the practice. Her background and expertise in the areas of assessment and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders and ADHD as well as her knowledge of neurofeedback therapy and play therapy give her the broad base of knowledge to direct this multi-faceted private psychology practice. In addition to her experience in assessment and treatment of learning disabilities and giftedness, Cassandra has training and expertise in Child Psychotherapy and Play Therapy. She has worked extensively with children and their families regarding treatment of anxiety, depression, behavioral issues and emotion regulation using play-based and expressive interventions. Cassandra is also a clinical supervisor who provides supervision and consultation to other practitioners specializing in working with children. Cassandra’s experience and knowledge is not only academic; she is the mother of four children. Her experience of being a parent of four children makes her a very practical and realistic therapist. She understands the demands of parenting and does not rely on “book knowledge” or recommendations that appear unattainable for parents. She prides herself in understanding both the needs of the parents and the child. She looks for ways to enhance family functioning so that parents can feel competent and successful in their difficult jobs of raising children with a variety of complex needs.

MacKenzie Ebel

MacKenzie is a Psychometrist/Psychological Assistant at RMPS. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Princeton University, where she also played 4 years for the women’s ice hockey team. She recently completed her Masters in Counselling Psychology through City University of Seattle. MacKenzie has worked with children, youth, and their families in a number of settings, through coaching, as a behavioural aid, and counselling through her internship placement. She is excited to continue learning about assessment administration, neurofeedback, and play therapy practices at RMPS! Currently, she is part of the assessment and neurotherapy team, as she completes her final capstone assignment and intends to join our counselling team as a Registered Provisional Psychologist.

Tammy Thomson

Tammy is a graduate of the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) program at Yorkville University and is trained at the master’s level in art therapy as a professional art psychotherapist and member of the Canadian Art Therapy Association. She brings more than 20 years of experience working with children, teens, and families in child development settings, children’s hospitals, and schools as an early childhood educator and elementary teacher. She completed a Bachelor of Applied Science specializing in Child Development Studies at the University of Guelph, Ontario and holds a Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning from the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. Tammy is a member of the Canadian Counsellor and Psychotherapy Association and College of Alberta Psychologists while pursuing her next goal of registration as a provisional psychologist. Tammy values a client-centered approach using play therapy and the expressive arts to support those who may find it difficult to articulate their thoughts and feelings with words. Children and families do not need any skill or prior art experience and the art studio is a safe place where children can gain a sense of independence, greater emotional regulation, and confidence through self-exploration. Expressive interventions in art therapy can treat behavioural issues, anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, physical and developmental disabilities, and attachment difficulties. As a parent of three young children herself, Tammy understands the complexities of family life using compassion to help parents feel more confident in their role of raising a successful family.

Raquel Freitas

Raquel is an Office Administrator at RMPS. Back in Brazil, her home country, she graduated as a Psychologist and worked as a clinician for the past 5 years. Although she loved working with children and adults, she discovered a new passion: manage the administrative tasks that keep the business running. 

As someone who is passionate about learning new things and developing new skills, with the career transition also came the decision to live abroad and explore a new culture. To serve empathetically and connect with people is Raquel’s main personal and professional goal.

Emma Donnelly

Emma is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in her hometown at Brandon University, after which she moved to Calgary to earn her Master’s of Science in School and Applied Child Psychology at the University of Calgary. Emma has a passion for working with children and families and has experience doing so in a number of settings, including schools, homes, early intervention programs, and within the community. She specializes in assessment, including psychoeduational, social-emotional-behavioural, and autism assessment. Emma uses a client centred approach to counselling, supported by cognitive behavioural therapy, as well as play-based and attachment-based techniques. She believes in meeting clients where they are at and prides herself in working together with her clients to achieve their goals, improve their functioning, and enjoy their daily life.

Amanda Stoner

Amanda is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. Amanda earned her doctoral degree in Psychology at Brock University in Ontario in 2017, with a specialization in developmental psychology. Amanda provides formal assessment services at RMPS. 

Since 2009, Amanda has received formal training and work experience in private practice settings in conducting psycho-educational assessments for students ranging from preschool through university. Amanda is skilled at test administration, interpretation of data, and report writing for various referral questions including ADHD, Learning Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety, Giftedness, and Intellectual Disabilities. Amanda enjoys working with people of all ages from diverse backgrounds, and she tries to make the testing environment feel relaxed and comfortable while maintaining integrity in testing protocol.

Denise Riewe

Denise has completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences through the University of Lethbridge and a Master of Counselling with Athabasca University. She is a Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists and a member of the Psychological Association of Alberta. Denise has over 9 years of experience supporting children, youth and their families in both residential and community-based practices. Denise is experienced in working with high and at-risk youth, supporting children and their families with strength-based approaches. She practices from a client-center approach supported by Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Theraplay, and other play and art-based modalities.

John Pynn

John is a Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. He completed his Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. He brings more than 20 years of experience working with children, teens, and families in a variety of settings. He brings a relaxed and collaborative atmosphere to sessions. John uses an integrated counselling approach including client-centred, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Solution-Focussed therapy (SFT) to find the best-fit for clients. He has experience with a variety of mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, anger, self-
esteem, relationships, parenting, ADHD, grief/loss, addictions, and trauma. This broad experience comes from working in schools, social service agencies, group-care, and clinical settings. He also draws from the practical experience of being a parent to two teenagers as well as a husband. Supporting and empowering clients with mental health concerns is something John genuinely enjoys. John also provides counselling for adults and holds a Gottman level 1 certification for couples therapy.

Zara Crasto

Zara is a Psychometrist/Psychological Assistant at RMPS. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Calgary and her Graduate Diploma in Psychological Assessment at Concordia University of Edmonton. 

Zara has spent over five years working alongside children, adolescents, and their families in a variety of settings. These include public and private schools, in-home support, residential programs, early-intervention programs, and non-profit organizations. Currently, Zara is part of the assessment and neurotherapy team. As a lifelong learner, Zara plans to go back to graduate school and eventually become a psychologist one day.

Kellie Lanktree

Kellie is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. She completed a Bachelor of Child and Youth Care with the University of Victoria and a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology through the University of Lethbridge. Kellie has over 10 years experience supporting children and youth with developmental disorders/delays and their families. Kellie has experience working in schools, clinical settings, and within homes to provide support and therapeutic interventions. Through her time at RMPS, Kellie has also gained experience in helping individuals affected by trauma, grief/loss, separations, emotional dysregulation, depression, and anxiety. Kellie practices through developmental, attachment-based and trauma-informed lenses, and draws from a variety of play-based approaches such as Synergetic Play Therapy, Child-centered play therapy, DIR/Floortime, art-based mediums, and mindfulness-based practices. Kellie also provides Neurofeedback therapy, and is working on receiving her certification through BCIA. Kellie believes in meeting children and their families where they are at and that there is no “one size fits all” for therapy.