Anxiety and worry
Fears, panic or anxiety attacks, persistent anticipation, social anxiety or difficulty feeling safe in everyday situations.
Therapy for teenagers
Therapy for teenagers in Córdoba and online
Adolescence involves significant physical, emotional and social changes, and not every difficult period is a mental health disorder. Sometimes, however, worry, irritability, withdrawal or conflict continues and begins to affect school, family life, friendships or the young person's wellbeing.
Therapy provides a warm, non-judgemental space to understand what is happening, build personally meaningful goals and develop useful skills. Sessions can be held in English or Spanish, in person in Córdoba, online within Spain or in a hybrid format.
Sessions available in English and Spanish
Every teenager is different
Common reasons teenagers come to therapy
Academic pressure
Exams, fear of failure, perfectionism, feeling blocked, procrastination or difficulty organising work and rest.
Self-esteem and identity
Insecurity, self-criticism, comparison, body image, a need for approval or questions arising during the development of identity.
Mood
Irritability, apathy, sadness, loss of interest, emotional disconnection or a sense of being unable to cope.
Relationships and family
Conflict, difficult communication, disagreements about boundaries, friendship problems, loneliness, rejection or bullying.
Change and adjustment
Separation, bereavement, changing schools, new stages, decisions about the future or complex family circumstances.
Look at change and impact
Signs that additional support may be helpful
Rather than focusing on one isolated behaviour, consider whether there is an ongoing change from the young person's usual way of being, whether distress is worsening and how much it interferes with daily life.
Emotional changes
Persistent worry, negative thoughts, intense irritability, frequent outbursts, apathy or hopelessness.
Changes in daily functioning
Sleep or eating changes, difficulty concentrating, falling grades, absence or persistent refusal to attend school.
Withdrawal and avoidance
Loss of interest in usual activities, increasing isolation, no longer seeing friends or avoiding situations through fear.
Higher-risk signs
Substance use, dangerous behaviour, self-harm, statements of worthlessness or guilt, thoughts of death or suicide require timely, appropriate assessment.
A space of their own
How does therapy with a teenager work?
Therapy aims to give the young person room to talk without feeling judged, understand their experience and participate in setting goals that make sense to them.
Hear different perspectives
Both the family's concerns and the teenager's own experience and voice are taken seriously.
Understand the context
Assessment considers emotional wellbeing, family and peer relationships, education, routines and recent changes.
Agree on goals
Work may focus on anxiety, self-esteem, emotional regulation, communication, decision-making or habits that are causing difficulties.
Review progress
Changes are monitored and, if needs fall outside the scope of this practice, this is explained and referral to appropriate medical or specialist support is recommended.
The teenager and their environment
How are parents and families involved?
Therapy focuses primarily on the teenager, while family sessions can be included when they help us understand the situation, improve communication, agree on guidance or support change.
Privacy is important for building trust. At the outset, confidentiality and its limits are explained according to age, law and safety. If there is a significant risk to the young person or someone else, appropriate protective action must be taken.
First steps
Supporting a teenager at home
Listen before solving
Choose a calm moment, ask open questions and try to understand before offering advice or consequences.
Validate without escalating
Avoid phrases such as “it is not that bad” and acknowledge distress even when the family sees the situation differently.
Describe facts, not labels
Talk about specific changes in sleep, schoolwork, mood or relationships instead of quickly applying a diagnosis.
Seek the right help
Ask for support if the problem persists, worsens or interferes. For self-harm, suicidal thoughts or immediate danger, use urgent services rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
Córdoba and online
Therapy for teenagers in English or Spanish
Sessions can be held in person in Córdoba, online within Spain or in a hybrid format. For under-18s, suitability depends on age, available privacy, the reason for seeking help and the level of family involvement needed.
Support is available in both English and Spanish. The young person can use the language in which they feel most comfortable describing their experience.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about therapy for teenagers
These answers provide general guidance for teenagers and families. Practical arrangements are agreed after understanding the individual situation.
01When should a teenager see a psychologist?
When distress continues, worsens or significantly affects school, friendships, family life, sleep or everyday activities. Families can also seek early guidance without assuming that the young person has a disorder.
02Do parents take part in the sessions?
It depends on age, the reason for seeking support and the young person's needs. There may be individual sessions with the teenager and separate or joint family sessions to assess concerns, agree on guidance or improve communication.
03Will parents be told everything the teenager says?
Privacy is important for building trust. Confidentiality and its limits are explained clearly at the beginning. If there is a significant concern about the young person's safety or someone else's safety, appropriate protective action must be taken.
04What if my teenager does not want to see a psychologist?
Explain your concern without threats or labels, listen to their reasons and present the first conversation as an opportunity to meet the psychologist. Deception or using therapy as a punishment can make trust more difficult.
05Is therapy only for the teenager or also for the family?
Work focuses mainly on the teenager, but family sessions can be included when they help clarify the difficulty, improve home life, review guidance or support change.
06Can therapy help with exam anxiety?
Yes. Therapy can address academic pressure, fear of failure, perfectionism, feeling blocked, organisation and anxiety responses connected with studying and exams.
07Can in-person and online sessions be combined?
Yes. Depending on age, the reason for therapy, privacy and family needs, sessions can be in person in Córdoba, online or hybrid.
08Can a teenager have therapy in English?
Yes. Sessions for teenagers are available in English and Spanish, both in person in Córdoba and online within Spain.
Sources and further reading
Sources and further reading
References used to prepare and review this information.
Pulso en Cauce
Finding direction can begin with a conversation.
The first session is a brief, free and no-obligation meeting to get to know each other, answer questions and consider whether this space feels right for you.