Ages 12–19
Teen & Adolescent Therapy
Your teen has stopped talking to you. Slammed doors, one-word answers, or worse, silence that feels like nothing's wrong when everything's wrong. Maybe there's been self-harm. Maybe school has become a fight every single morning. This is the work Sheri is known for.
What we work on
- Shutting down, withdrawing, or exploding over small things
- Cutting, self-harm, or talk of not wanting to be here
- Refusing school, losing motivation, losing themselves
- Constant fighting at home that isn't going anywhere
How it works
Trust comes before technique, especially with teens. Sheri meets your teen where they actually are, not where a worksheet says they should be. Once there's trust, she brings in tools built for what's underneath it, whether that's EMDR, CBT, DBT skills, or narrative work (full training list in the About section).
A note on safety
If your teen is in crisis right now, don't wait for a consult. [PLACEHOLDER: Alberta crisis line info]. Shi(f)t Happens is not a crisis service — in an emergency call 911, or the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 988.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What age range do you see?
12 to 19. Younger or older, ask and Sheri will point you somewhere better suited.
Do you work with teens who don't want to be in therapy?
Yes. Most of Sheri's teen clients started that way. The first few sessions are about trust, not homework.
Will you tell me what my teen says in session?
[PLACEHOLDER: confirm confidentiality policy for minors in Alberta and parent involvement approach.]
What if my teen is self-harming or suicidal?
[PLACEHOLDER: safety protocol language.]
Do you do family sessions too, or just individual?
[PLACEHOLDER: confirm.]
How long does teen therapy usually take?
Depends on what's going on. Some teens need a few months of stabilization, others stay longer for deeper identity or trauma work.
Is this covered by insurance?
[PLACEHOLDER: coverage and direct billing details.]
Do sessions happen in person or virtually?
Both. In person in Calgary, virtual anywhere in Alberta.
What's the first session like?
A consult call first (free, 15 minutes), then an intake session to map out what's going on and what approach fits.
How do I bring this up with my teen without them shutting down?
[PLACEHOLDER: short answer here, or link to a blog post on this.]