Child (12yrs-14yrs)

A time of HUGE change and we don’t just mean the biological ones. Moving from childhood to adolescence demands massive skill development in a very short period of time. Surviving high school means levelling up in all areas and sometimes kids struggle to keep up with their peers, resulting in a whole bunch of stress and unhappiness.

For more specific information on the different areas of preteen mental health that we work with, check out the individual headings on this page. If you think your young one is struggling in any of these areas, feel free to reach out to our team or click here to find out more about our psychologists.

Alternatively, if you’re not sure if you should be concerned or not our parent guides, are designed to help you think it through.

 
 

  • In preteens this can look like: circular worries, troubles sleeping, withdrawal from favourite hobbies or friends, reluctance too seperate from parents, difficulties growing out of traditional childhood fears (e.g., the dark, monsters), attempts to avoid school, or repeated complaints of sickness (which isn’t explained by medical issues).

    Although “official” diagnosis in this age group are rare, this category includes diagnosis such as depression, generalised or social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder or adjustment disorder.

  • Some boundary pushing is normal for teenagers, but when it starts to be repetitive, interfere on other parts of their life, represent a marked difference from their normal personality and is accompanied by big emotions, it’s time to pay more attention.

    Can look like defiance, refusal to follow instructions or disregard for rules. Often a telltale sign of other underlying things e.g., anxiety issues, peer problems, attention difficulties, or learning issues. It’s common for these things to “fly under the radar” in primary school, but then emerge in the more demanding high school environment.

    For help navigating this space, check out this article, for more info.

  • Friendships can change rapidly from primary to high school - there are more people, new faces, new alliances and new dramas. Some preteens take to this bigger world with amazing confidence, where as others do not.

    This area often overlaps with mood/anxiety problems, but includes issues with peer conflict, difficulties navigating friendships and low interpersonal skills. Schools/teachers are often the first one’s to give feedback to a family that perhaps something is amiss in this area.

  • Unfortunately raising teenagers does not come with an operations manual and as the teenager’s emotional world becomes more complex, so do the requirements of parenting. Setting limits and managing misbehaviour is just as important as when they were toddlers, but now it’s a whole new game ft. hormones.

    Sometimes families require support getting things back on track and realigning with their parenting goals.

  • Sometimes young people with neuro-diverse brains need extra help coping with the new demands of teenage-hood e.g., organising themselves for school, maintaining focus in class, developing skills in independent learning or managing bigger peer networks.

    This area includes diagnoses such as ADHD/ADD or Autism Spectrum Disorder.

  • Sometimes bad and unfair things happen to little people and although some seem to “bounce back” or “handle it fine” others get stuck on it. Processing loss, grief and complex trauma in preteens requires a thorough knowledge of adolescent development, and a very compassionate clinician. Parents often find themselves at a loss of what to say next or how to help and that’s where we can help.
    This area covers things like coping with divorce, family conflict, loss of loved ones, chronic illness, or abuse and assault.