Evenings and Sundays available
(289) 579-4769

Teen Therapy for Ages 12 to 17 in Thornhill and Vaughan

Teen therapy gives 12 to 17 year olds a private, judgement-free place to talk about stress, mood, friendships and school with a registered therapist who works with teenagers. Sessions are in person at our Thornhill clinic or by secure video anywhere in Ontario, with evening and Sunday times that fit around school.

  • Ages 12 to 17
  • Evenings and Sundays
  • In person or virtual
  • No referral needed

Or call (289) 579-4769. In person in Thornhill, virtual across Ontario.

Smiling teenage girl in a hoodie talking with her therapist on a sofa

Is therapy right for my teen?

It can be hard to tell normal teenage ups and downs from something that needs more support. Parents often call us after noticing a few of these:

  • They have pulled back from friends, family or activities they used to love, and spend most of their time alone in their room.
  • School has turned into a battle: grades are slipping, homework drags on for hours, or mornings start with dread.
  • Worry seems to run the day, with stomach aches before school, panic about tests, or avoiding plans they would normally enjoy.
  • Small things set off big reactions, like slammed doors, shouting, or tears that seem out of proportion.
  • Their sleep, appetite or energy has changed, and they seem flat or exhausted most days.
  • They talk about themselves harshly, compare themselves to others online, or say things like "what's the point".
  • You have tried to talk, and every conversation ends in silence or an argument.

A rough week is part of being a teenager. When a few of these have lasted several weeks, or they are getting in the way of school, friendships or home, it is worth talking to someone. If your teen talks about hurting themselves, read the safety question in the FAQ below.

Who we see

Our teen therapists work with young people from 12 to 17, and the way sessions run changes a lot across those years.

  • Ages 12 to 14

    Early teens moving into or through the first years of high school. Sessions mix conversation with hands-on tools, and parents usually play a bigger part in planning.

  • Ages 15 to 17

    Older teens who want more privacy and more say in their goals. Sessions are mostly talk-based, with skills they can use at school, at a part-time job and with friends.

  • 18 and older

    Young adults finishing high school or starting college or university can see one of our therapists who also work with adults. See adult therapy and counselling.

Our team includes a male therapist, which some teen boys find easier to open up to, and we have a page on therapy for teen girls. For children under 12, see child therapy.

Teenage boy smiling and talking with a male therapist during a session

What sessions look like

There is no fixed program. Your teen's therapist starts with where your teen is, and the plan grows from there.

Teenager smiling and talking during a video session on a laptop at home
  1. 1

    Before the first session

    A free 15-minute call with our client care team. Tell us what is going on and we will suggest a therapist who fits your teen's age, concerns and schedule. No referral is needed.

  2. 2

    The first session

    Who comes to the first session depends on what suits your family. It might be a parent on their own, a parent and teen together, or your teen alone. The therapist explains how privacy works, asks what has been hard lately, and listens before suggesting anything.

  3. 3

    A typical session

    50 minutes, one on one. Your teen and their therapist talk through the week and practise one or two skills, like calming a racing mind before a test, handling a falling-out with a friend, or breaking a big assignment into steps. Many teens work with CBT or DBT skills; teens who find talking hard sometimes use art or music instead.

  4. 4

    How parents are involved

    Your teen's sessions are private, with limits around safety that the therapist explains at the start. Parents get check-ins with general updates and ideas for home. Some families add parent coaching or family sessions.

  5. 5

    Scheduling

    Sessions are usually weekly or every other week, and you decide the pace together. We are open until 9 pm Monday to Thursday and all day Sunday, so appointments can fit around school and activities.

We do not promise a number of sessions or a particular result. Your teen's therapist will check in with you both about how it is going and whether the plan needs to change.

Therapists who work with teens

Read a profile to get a feel for who might suit your teen. On the free call, we will suggest a therapist based on your teen's age, concerns and schedule. See the full team.

01/ 12Bevlyn, MACP, Registered Psychotherapist
  1. Bevlyn, MACP, Registered Psychotherapist at Young Sprouts Therapy

    Bevlyn

    MACP, Registered Psychotherapist

  2. Hilla, MSW, RSW at Young Sprouts Therapy

    Hilla

    MSW, RSW

  3. Nikki, Registered Psychotherapist at Young Sprouts Therapy

    Nikki

    Registered Psychotherapist

  4. Daniela, MSW, RSW (Clinical Director) at Young Sprouts Therapy

    Daniela

    MSW, RSW (Clinical Director)

  5. Nadine, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), Art Therapist at Young Sprouts Therapy

    Nadine

    Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), Art Therapist

  6. Matthew, Registered Psychotherapist at Young Sprouts Therapy

    Matthew

    Registered Psychotherapist

  7. Ruth-Ellen, Registered Psychotherapist at Young Sprouts Therapy

    Ruth-Ellen

    Registered Psychotherapist

  8. Shalheves, RSW, MSW at Young Sprouts Therapy

    Shalheves

    RSW, MSW

  9. Gretchen, MTA, MT-BC, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) at Young Sprouts Therapy

    Gretchen

    MTA, MT-BC, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

  10. Michelle, RSW, MSW at Young Sprouts Therapy

    Michelle

    RSW, MSW

  11. Riki, RSW, MSW at Young Sprouts Therapy

    Riki

    RSW, MSW

  12. Jackie, RSW, MSW, Certified Family Mediator at Young Sprouts Therapy

    Jackie

    RSW, MSW, Certified Family Mediator

Swipe, use the arrow keys, or select a portrait to meet a therapist.

Fees and insurance

  • Teen session

    $185 / 50 min

    One on one with your teen

  • Parent coaching

    $185 / 50 min

    For parents and caregivers

  • Family session

    $200 / 50 min

    Teen and family together

We don't direct bill. We provide detailed receipts you can submit for reimbursement. Most workplace plans cover Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Social Workers.

Helpful reads for parents

More in the Parent Guide

Questions parents ask about teen therapy

How do I know if my teen needs therapy or is just being a teenager?
Moodiness, wanting privacy and pushing back on rules are normal at this age. It is worth getting support when changes last for several weeks, show up in more than one place (school, friendships, home), or your teen seems stuck and unhappy. If you are unsure, the free 15-minute call is a good place to talk it through; we will tell you honestly if we think it can wait.
How much does teen therapy cost, and is it covered by insurance?
Individual teen sessions are $185 for 50 minutes. Most workplace benefit plans in Ontario cover Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Social Workers, often under separate categories, so check your plan for both. We don't direct bill; we give you a detailed receipt to submit to your insurer. See our fees or the cost of therapy calculator.
Is teen therapy better in person or online?
Both work, and many teens are comfortable on video. In person at our Thornhill clinic can help teens who get distracted at home or have no private space. Virtual sessions suit busy schedules and families anywhere in Ontario. You can switch between the two. See online therapy in Ontario.
Will you tell me what my teen says in sessions?
Not word for word. Teens open up more when they know their sessions are private, so we agree on limits at the start. You will get general updates and ideas for supporting them at home, and we will always tell you if there is a safety concern.
What if my teen does not want to go?
That is common, and it does not mean therapy will not help. Some families start with a parent session to plan how to bring it up, and some teens agree to one trial session. Our article on what to do when your teen refuses therapy has ideas.
How is teen therapy different from family therapy or parent coaching?
Teen therapy is one-on-one time for your teen. Family therapy brings several family members into the room to work on communication and conflict. Parent coaching is for you, with strategies for home. Some families use more than one at different times.
What kinds of therapy do you use with teens?
It depends on the teen. Our therapists draw on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills, Emotion-Focused Therapy, solution-focused and narrative approaches, mindfulness, and creative options such as art therapy and music therapy.
Can my teen get help for something specific, like anger, OCD or gaming?
Yes. We have pages on teen anger management, OCD therapy, anxiety, depression and gaming and technology use. Tell us on the free call and we will suggest a therapist who works with that concern.
What should we do if our teen is in crisis?
We are not an emergency service. If your teen is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For urgent support, call or text 9-8-8 (Suicide Crisis Helpline), or contact Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 or by texting CONNECT to 686868. Once your teen is safe, we can talk about ongoing therapy.
How soon can my teen start?
It depends on which therapist is the right fit and what times you need. We will tell you current availability on the free 15-minute call, and you are under no obligation to book.

Areas we serve in person for teen therapy

In-person from our Thornhill clinic and virtually across Ontario. Click any city to learn more.

Closest to our Thornhill clinic.

Don’t see your city? We offer virtual therapy across Ontario.

Reviewed by Daniela Shulman, MSW, RSW, Clinical Director. Last updated .

Wondering if your teen would talk to someone?

Start with a free 15-minute call. Tell us what you are noticing, and we will help you decide whether therapy is the right next step.

Or call (289) 579-4769