Teen Therapy in Ajax & Oshawa
Confidential support for teens 13-19 navigating anxiety, depression, identity, relationships, and everything that feels overwhelming right now.
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Expert Teen Therapy in Ajax, Oshawa & Durham Region
If You're a Teen Reading This
You might be here because someone suggested therapy, or maybe you searched for help yourself. Either way, you're probably wondering if therapy is going to be weird, if your therapist will tell your parents everything, or if they'll think you're being dramatic.
Here's the truth: Therapy is just a space where you can talk about what's going on without being judged or lectured. It's confidential (what you say stays private, except in safety situations). You decide how involved your parents are. And you don't have to have it all figured out—most teens we work with don't.
This is your space. We're here to listen, get where you're coming from, and help you figure out what you need.
If You're a Parent Reading This
Your teenager is struggling, and you don't know how to help them anymore.
Maybe they've shut you out completely. Maybe they're drowning in anxiety or depression. Maybe you've seen concerning behavior—self-harm, risky choices, failing grades—and you're terrified of what might happen next.
You want to reach them. But every conversation ends in a fight or silence.
Here's what you need to know: Professional support can help. Teen therapy isn't about "fixing" your child—it's about giving them a safe space with someone who understands adolescence, respects their autonomy, and knows how to help.
We'll check in with you, share general themes and progress, and guide you on supporting your teen at home. And yes, we honor confidentiality—because trust is what makes therapy work for teenagers.
The Struggles That Bring Teens to Therapy
Teenagers come to us for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes it's something specific. Other times, it's a gradual buildup that's become too much to handle alone.
We specialize in helping teens with:
Mental Heath Struggles
Depression: Persistent sadness, emptiness, loss of interest in things that used to matter, feeling numb or hopeless
Anxiety that won't shut off: Constant worry, panic attacks, fear of judgment, social anxiety that makes everyday interactions exhausting
Self-harm: Cutting, burning, or other self-injurious behaviors as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions
Suicidal thoughts or ideation: Thoughts of not wanting to be here anymore, feeling like a burden, or thinking about suicide
Trauma and PTSD: The aftermath of abuse, assault, accidents, or other traumatic experiences that continue to affect daily life
Relationships and Social Struggles
Family conflict: Fighting with parents, feeling misunderstood at home, navigating divorce or blended family dynamics
Friendship issues: Drama, betrayal, loneliness, not fitting in, losing friends, being bullied or excluded
Dating and relationships: Navigating first relationships, breakups, heartbreak, figuring out what healthy relationships look like
Loneliness and isolation: Feeling alone even when surrounded by people, struggling to connect authentically with others
Social media pressure: Comparison, FOMO, cyberbullying, the exhausting performance of looking "perfect" online
Identity and Self-Discovery
Figuring out who you are: Questions about identity, values, beliefs, and what kind of person you want to be
Gender identity and sexual orientation: Exploring and understanding your gender, sexuality, and navigating coming out (or deciding not to)
Body image and self-esteem: Struggling with how you look, comparing yourself to others (especially on social media), feeling "not good enough"
Feeling lost or directionless: Not knowing what you want for your future, feeling pressure to have it all figured out, questioning whether you're on the right path
Autism and neurodivergence: Understanding your unique brain and self in a neurotypical world
Life Stress and Future Pressure
Academic stress and perfectionism: Overwhelming pressure to get perfect grades, get into the right school, perform at impossible standards
Planning for the future: Anxiety about college, career choices, or feeling behind compared to peers
Substance use: Vaping too much, using alcohol, weed, or other substances as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, or social pressure
Grief and loss: Death of a loved one, pet loss, or other significant losses that are hard to process
Major life transitions: Moving, changing schools, parents' divorce, leaving for college
If any of this sounds familiar, you're not alone. And you don't have to keep struggling with it by yourself.
All we need is your name and email address and we can match you with a therapist within 24 hours.
What Teen Therapy Actually Looks Like
Teen therapy isn't about someone older telling you what to do. It's about having a confidential space that's completely yours—judgment-free and focused on what you need.
It's Not What You Think
If you're picturing lying on a couch while someone with a notepad asks "how does that make you feel?" over and over—forget it. That's not what we do.
Teen therapy is a conversation. Sometimes it's serious and intense. Sometimes it's lighter. You might talk about what happened this week, what you're stressed about, what you're figuring out about yourself, or what you're struggling with in your relationships. You might learn specific skills—like how to calm down when you're anxious, how to challenge negative thoughts, or how to communicate what you need without blowing up or shutting down.
There's no script. Every session is different because you're different from week to week. And that's okay.
What About Confidentiality?
For Teens: What you talk about in therapy stays private. Your therapist won't tell your parents everything you say. You decide how involved they are.
The only exception is safety. If we believe you're at serious risk of harming yourself or someone else, or if there's abuse happening, we're required to take action. But we'll talk with you about it first whenever possible—we won't blindside you.
For Parents: Yes, therapy is confidential. This is hard for parents, but it's what makes therapy work for teenagers. If there's ever a safety concern, we will involve you. But the day-to-day content of therapy? That's your teen's private space.
Our Approach to Therapy with Teens
Our Oshawa and Ajax therapists use evidence-based approaches that actually work with teens—DBT for emotional regulation, CBT for anxiety and depression, trauma-informed care including EMDR, and more. But we don't lock you into a rigid treatment plan. We adapt to what you need.
Some teens need practical coping skills. Some need to process trauma. Some need to explore identity. Some just need someone to talk to who actually gets it. We meet you where you are.
Convenient Locations in Ajax, Oshawa & Durham Region
We have offices in Ajax and Oshawa, serving Whitby, Pickering, Bowmanville, Courtice, Brooklin, and throughout Durham Region. Many teens and families also come to us from Toronto, Scarborough, and the Greater Toronto Area.
Virtual therapy is available across Ontario. Many teens find virtual convenient—no commute, and some feel more comfortable talking from their own space.
How Therapy Helps You Thrive as a Teenager
You Learn to Manage Intense Emotions
Instead of being overwhelmed by anxiety, anger, sadness, or whatever you're feeling, you learn skills to calm yourself down, process the emotion, and respond in ways that don't make things worse..
You Figure Out Who You Are
Adolescence is all about identity formation. Therapy gives you space to explore who you are, what you value, what you want, and what kind of person you're becoming—without judgment.
You Build Coping Skills for Life
The skills you learn in therapy—emotional regulation, communication, challenging negative thoughts, managing stress—aren't just for right now. They're tools you'll use for the rest of your life.
You Stop Feeling So Alone
When you're struggling, it can feel like you're the only one going through it. Having a therapist who gets it—and who can help you realize you're not broken or "too much"—makes a huge difference.
Your Relationships Get Better
When you learn to communicate what you need, set boundaries, and understand patterns in relationships, things get easier with parents, friends, and partners.
You Feel More in Control
When everything feels chaotic and overwhelming, therapy helps you feel like you have some agency and control over your life. You're not just reacting to everything—you're making choices about how to respond.
Need to talk about it first?
We’re here for you. Schedule a consultation.
Our Team of Therapists for Teens
At The Relationship Agency, four therapists specialize in working with teenagers ages 13-19: Maria, Dee, Sara, and Leigh.
What they all have in common:
They actually like working with teens — They're not just tolerating teenage clients. They genuinely enjoy working with adolescents and respect you as a person.
They take you seriously — They won't minimize what you're going through or tell you "it's just a phase."
They respect your autonomy — They work with you, not try to control or fix you.
They understand teen life right now — The pressure, social media, identity exploration, academic stress—all of it.
They honor confidentiality — They understand how important privacy is and won't betray your trust (except in safety situations, which they'll explain clearly).
We'll match you with someone who's the best fit for what you're dealing with—whether that's trauma, identity, anxiety and depression, or relationship stuff.
Get Matched with a Teen Therapist Within 24 Hours
We have therapists available in Ajax, Oshawa, and virtually across Ontario with no waitlists. Fill out the form and hit submit and we’ll get back to you asap.
What to Expect in Teen Therapy at The Relationship Agency
First Session
For teens: The first session is mostly about getting to know each other. Your therapist will probably ask about what brought you to therapy, what's been going on, and what you're hoping to get out of it. They're not going to force you to spill your deepest secrets on day one. This is about figuring out if you feel comfortable with them and what you want to work on.
It's totally normal to feel awkward or nervous. Most teens do. Your therapist gets that. They're not going to judge you for being quiet, sarcastic, defensive, or however you show up. Just be yourself.
For parents: Depending on the situation, the first session might include a brief check-in with you (either with or without your teen present) to understand your concerns. After that, the focus shifts to your teen. Remember: this is their space, and the relationship between them and their therapist is what makes therapy work.
Ongoing Sessions
After the first session or two, therapy typically moves to weekly appointments. Consistency matters—it helps you build trust, make progress, and not lose momentum between sessions.
What you talk about will vary. Some weeks might be focused on a specific crisis or thing that happened. Other weeks might be more about building skills, processing past experiences, or exploring what you're figuring out about yourself and your life.
There's no "right" way to do therapy. Some teens come in and talk nonstop. Others barely say anything for the first few sessions. Both are fine. Your therapist will meet you where you are..
Virtual or In Person Therapy: You Choose
We offer both in-person and virtual therapy for teens. Some teens prefer in-person because it feels more "real" and it's easier to focus. Others prefer virtual because it's more convenient, they can do it from their room, or they just feel more comfortable on a screen.
Both work. It's about what you prefer. You can also switch between the two if circumstances change.
Working with Schools (If Needed)
If school-related stuff is part of what you're dealing with—anxiety about school, accommodations for mental health, working with guidance counselors—we can coordinate with your school if you want us to. But only if you're okay with it. We won't contact your school without your knowledge and consent.
All of Your Questions About Teen Therapy
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No. Therapy is confidential. Your therapist won't share session content with your parents unless there's a safety concern (risk of harm to yourself or others, or abuse). You decide how much your parents are involved.
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A lot of teens start because their parents made them. That's normal. Give it a few sessions. If you still don't want to continue, that's a conversation worth having—with your therapist and your parents.
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It depends on what you're working on. Some teens come for a few months. Others stay longer-term. There's no set timeline—it's based on what you need.
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Absolutely. Fit matters. If you don't feel comfortable after a few sessions, we can match you with someone else. No hard feelings.
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We work with teens dealing with these issues all the time. It doesn't scare us off or make us think you're "too much." We'll work with you to create a safety plan and get you the support you need.
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Sessions are $175 for 50 minutes. Many extended health insurance plans in Ontario cover therapy with registered social workers and psychotherapists. We provide receipts for insurance submission.
Ready to Start Working with an Oshawa or Ajax Therapist for Teens?
For teens: If you're even considering therapy, that's already a big step. You don't need to have it all figured out. Just show up and we'll figure it out together.
For parents: Your teenager needs support. We're here to help—both your teen and your family. Let's talk about what's happening and how we can help.
Start with a free 20-minute consultation. We'll answer your questions and help you figure out if therapy is the right next step.
Teen Therapy Services
Locations: Ajax • Oshawa • Whitby • Pickering • Bowmanville • Courtice • Brooklin • Durham Region • Toronto • Scarborough • Markham • Greater Toronto Area • Ontario
Specializing in: Teen Therapy • Adolescent Counseling • Teen Anxiety Therapy • Teen Depression Treatment • Self-Harm Therapy • Suicide Prevention • Identity Therapy • LGBTQ+ Teen Therapy • Teen Trauma Therapy • Family Conflict • Social Anxiety • Body Image Therapy • Substance Use Counseling • Academic Stress • Teen Relationship Therapy
Ages Served: 13-19 | Therapists: Maria, Dee, Sara, Leigh, Laura | Format: Virtual & In-Person