Therapy for Teen Drug and Alcohol Use

What to Expect From Therapy for Teen Substance Use

While our therapists are not addiction specialists, we offer general counselling for teens who are using substances as a way to navigate life’s challenges. Our therapists show up with compassion and respect, helping teens to feel safe enough to be real about what’s going on for them. In therapy, we strive to create a non-judgmental space where teens can talk openly about their experiences – what they’re using, when, and why – without fear.

In therapy, we focus on understanding what’s underneath the substance use behaviour and helping teens build healthier ways to cope. We show up with curiosity and gently explore what purposes substances may be serving. We also provide education and information to help teens make safe, informed decisions. This insight building and information sharing helps teens make sense of why they are using substances and become more mindful of their patterns so they can make more intentional choices.

Therapy for substance use also strongly emphasizes skill-building. Teens learn practical ways to manage what they’re going through, such as:

• Coping with emotions and stress
• Navigating peer pressure or social challenges
• Coping with urges, cravings, or impulses
• Communicating needs and boundaries
• Finding alternative ways to seek relief, comfort, or connection

Sometimes, teens ask for therapy on their own. Other times, therapy comes as a recommendation from a teen’s loved one. It’s not uncommon for teens who are hesitant about therapy to be a bit off-put by the idea of coming at the recommendation of someone else to address their substance use. Our approach is general counselling, not solely focused on their substance use – we are curious about your whole child and all the realms of their life. We see substance use as a behavioural expression of something deeper going on. So we meet them where they are at and move at a pace that feels right for them. When substance use is affecting communication or trust at home, family counselling or parent counselling may also be helpful support.

If you or your teen are wondering whether therapy might be helpful, we’re here to talk. You can contact us to book a consultation to understand your concerns, answer any questions, and see if our approach feels like a good fit. For parents looking for additional guidance, our article on how to start a conversation with your teen about vaping may also be helpful.