Psychotherapy for adolescents (young people) in Gdańsk
As a parent, you want the best for your child – for them to grow up healthy, to feel accepted and confident.
However, sometimes the daily challenges become too difficult for a teenager, and his emotions are too overwhelming. In such moments, it is worth seeking professional support.
At the MECAL Psychological Clinic in Oliwa, Gdańsk, we specialize in youth psychotherapy. We help teenagers find their way through difficult emotions and build tools that will allow them to cope better in everyday situations.
Psychologist for teenagers in Gdańsk –when to go for a consultation
It is not always easy to interpret your child's behavior. It may seem that they are going through a „difficult period,” but sometimes changes such as withdrawal, a decrease in motivation, isolation from peers, sleep problems, or irritability can mean that the teenager needs professional help.
At MECAL, we have experience in recognizing these signals and we know how to provide the support that will allow your child to feel better and regain balance. Psychological support will also be invaluable help for the whole family.
- Difficulties with regulating emotions – when a teenager often reacts with intense anger, sadness, or fear that seems inappropriate for the situation and persists long after it has ended.
- Sudden changes in behavior – if the teenager becomes more withdrawn, irritable, or you notice significant changes in his or her behavior that did not previously exist.
- Problems at school – a drop in performance, difficulties with concentration, complaints from teachers about a lack of engagement, or problems in relationships with peers can be a sign that the child is experiencing something difficult.
- Avoiding social contacts – isolation, lack of interest in spending time with friends, avoidance of school and extracurricular activities may indicate emotional difficulties.
- Physical symptoms without a clear cause – frequent headaches, abdominal pain, sleep problems, or a lack of appetite may have an emotional basis, especially if doctors have ruled out other causes.
- Fear and phobias – the increasing anxiety about certain situations or objects that begin to affect the child’s daily life may require therapeutic support.
- Lower self-esteem – if a teenager often talks negatively about themselves, avoids new challenges out of fear of failure, or easily gets discouraged, they may need help building self-confidence.
- Experiencing trauma or difficult events – the loss of a loved one, the parents’ divorce, moving house, or other stressful events can affect a child’s well-being and require additional support.
- Problems with adaptation – if a teenager has difficulty adapting to new situations, such as a change of school, a new peer group, or greater educational requirements.
- Recurrent compulsive behaviors – Frequent checking, counting, and repeating the actions that a teenager performs to feel safer can be a sign of anxiety disorders.
What the first meeting looks like with a psychologist, psychotherapist and family?
Parents play a crucial role in the therapeutic process. Therefore, the first session always takes place without the participant’s involvement. The therapist needs to gather information from the guardian, including what difficulties the teenager has encountered. We focus on identifying the strengths and resources that the guardians know best. We also look at the child’s psychological and physical development and the family situation.
In some cases, a parent participates in part of the session, which gives them the opportunity to better understand what is happening with the child and to support them more effectively at home. At MECAL Gdańsk, we always take the family perspective into account, because we know that joint efforts yield the best results.
What forms of therapy do we use? for the youth?
- Every teenager is different, which is why we use different therapeutic approaches, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.
Psychologist for youth – acceptance and engagement (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a method that helps teenagers cope better with emotions by teaching them to accept their own experiences instead of trying to suppress or deny them.
In working with young adults, ACT focuses on building „psychological flexibility”—the ability to accept emotions and thoughts with openness and to focus on actions that are consistent with their values. Through ACT, children learn that even difficult feelings, such as fear, stress, or anger, are part of life and do not have to limit them.
ACT provides tools that help people better understand themselves, which is especially valuable in dealing with school pressure, peer conflicts, or the challenges of growing up. In therapy, we support young people in discovering their values and goals, which adds confidence and helps them make conscious decisions in everyday life.
Solution-focused psychotherapy (TSR)
Solution-focused therapy (SFT) is an approach that focuses on the strengths and resources of the child.
At TSR, we focus on finding concrete solutions to problems, rather than analyzing their causes. Teenagers often gain greater confidence when they begin to realize that they have within themselves the resources that can help them cope with challenges.
TSR’s approach to working with teenagers involves jointly exploring what is already working in their lives, as well as strengthening their skills to cope with difficulties. Through TSR, they learn to actively seek solutions, which strengthens their sense of agency and independence. For parents, this means supporting them in raising children to become self-reliant, conscious young people who are able to effectively solve problems based on their strengths.
Cognitive behavioural psychotherapy Gdańsk – youth
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a proven method, especially effective for problems such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem issues, or mood disorders.
CBT teaches teenagers how their thoughts affect their emotions and behavior, and shows how to effectively change the patterns that cause difficulties. At MECAL, we adapt CBT to the child’s age and situation to give them the tools to cope with the challenges of everyday life.
Psychotherapeutic support for young people with ADHD
If your child has ADHD, you may notice that they struggle with concentration difficulties, impulsivity, and problems with relationships with peers and self-esteem.
- At MECAL Clinic, we know that ADHD is a challenge for both the teenager and their family. Our therapy is focused on helping them better understand their emotions and behaviors, and on developing strategies that support them in their daily functioning.
- We also work with parents to provide practical tools and tips that can help you manage everyday situations and build a stronger relationship with your teenager. Our goal is for your child to feel more in control of their reactions, and for you to have clear, proven strategies to support them on this journey.
What effects does psychotherapy have? – relationships with family, peers, self-esteem
Psychotherapy can change a child’s (and a family’s) life on many levels. Through working with a therapist, they learn to better understand their emotions, build healthy relationships, and strengthen their self-esteem. At MECAL, our goal is for your child to gain skills that will support them throughout their lives.
Therapy is an investment in your child’s future – it allows them to develop in a healthy, conscious and self-confident way.
Psychological Clinic for Children and Adolescents Gdańsk – MECAL Oliwa
Today’s world is demanding and full of pressure, which affects even the youngest children. Stress related to school, contact with peers, the influence of social media – all of this affects the mental health of children and young people. At MECAL we understand that young people often need support to cope with these challenges.
Book a consultation with our psychologist: CALL: 578 707 878
