Teen & young adult Depression

counselling support in Edmonton & Sherwood Park

When your teen is depressed, you may notice them crying more often and isolating from friends and family. Depressed teens feel like a burden to those around them and engage in negative and critical self-talk, with thoughts like, “What’s the point” or “I wouldn’t care if I go to sleep and never wake up.”

Your depressed teen feels empty, numb and incredibly tired. Moving through every day with the energy to look “normal” is exhausting. And, trying to stay on task with school, extracurriculars and friends while managing intense moods is overwhelming.

Teens who are experiencing depression may feel:

• sadness

• loss of motivation

• excessive irritability

• isolation

• sudden weight gain or loss

• low self-esteem

• being socially withdrawn

• trouble sleeping or excessive sleeping

• sudden loss of interest in activities

  Depression can make it feel like your teen is carrying a weight no one else can see. Even simple tasks—getting out of bed, attending school, or interacting with friends—can feel exhausting or impossible. Counselling helps teens break these overwhelming experiences into manageable steps, providing tools to cope with daily challenges while gradually rebuilding their energy and sense of purpose.

  In therapy, teens also learn to challenge the negative self-talk that often accompanies depression. They can develop healthier ways of thinking about themselves, practice self-compassion, and recognize their strengths and accomplishments. Over time, these skills help your teen feel more confident, capable, and able to engage with life in meaningful ways, even when low moods persist. We can work to help your teen express difficult feelings and learn the skills necessary to feel happy and make healthy choices. Your teen doesn't have to go through life feeling lonely or misunderstood.

  Supporting a Teen Without Pushing Them Away

  When your teen is depressed, your instinct may be to fix the problem or encourage them to “look on the bright side,” but this can unintentionally make them feel misunderstood or pressured. Teens often need to feel heard before they feel helped. Listening calmly, validating their feelings, and letting them know you take their pain seriously can go a long way. Simple statements like, “I’m really glad you told me,” or “That sounds incredibly hard,” help your teen feel less alone and more open to connection.

  It’s also important to balance support with patience. Depression can affect motivation, communication, and behavior, and progress is rarely linear. Try to keep routines predictable, offer choices rather than demands, and check in without interrogating. Let your teen know you are there for them no matter what—even on the days they withdraw or struggle to express themselves. Consistent, compassionate support helps build trust and creates a safe space where healing can begin.

Thrive Depression THERaPIsts Edmonton & Sherwood Park