Let’s Talk About It: The Ins and Outs of Therapy  

​​​Many special milestones occur during one’s younger years. ​​At the same time, young people can face challenges as life transitions occur. Pursuing post-secondary education, starting a career and moving out of the family home, for example, are all ​positive,​ but they can also be overwhelming and stressful.  

Therapy and counselling are great tools to help people navigate through life. They are both services that are available to anyone, including teens and young people.  

Read below to find out more about therapy and when it might be time to start it.  

What is Therapy? 

Therapy can also be referred to as “talk therapy” and “psychotherapy.” It is a long-term treatment for mental health. Therapy is meant to treat severe mental health concerns including recognized mental health conditions. Therapists help individuals work through trauma and they also help to determine individuals’ thought patterns. Overall, therapy can help with mental wellness.  

What is Counselling? 

Counselling targets particular challenges that the client is dealing with such as grief and abuse. For example, there are certified counsellors that offer alcohol and drug counselling. Counselling is a short-term psychological treatment. 

When You Should Seek Therapy or Counselling 

Sometimes it can be hard to ask for help or recognize that you need help. Therapy and counselling are excellent ways to receive help for different life matters. 

“Counselling or therapy can be helpful more often than people assume,” says Joyce (Sijia) Luo, a registered social worker and psychotherapist at MindPeace Psychology Toronto. “Whenever people feel lost, uncertain, frustrated, overwhelmed, stressed out or identify a need to talk to someone, it can be a good time to seek mental health support like counselling or therapy.”  

Therapy can benefit anyone, and it is a safe space. Therapy touches upon all aspects of life, and it can be used for a variety of reasons from treating mental health concerns to personal development. 

“Therapy is not just for moments of crisis, nor should it be waited until serious mental health issues occur but can also be helpful for people to gain more clarity, build emotional resilience and develop a healthier sense of self,” says Luo.  

Counselling and therapy can also particularly benefit young people. 

“For teenagers and young adults, therapy can be especially beneficial during periods of rapid transition or moments of increased stress, such as when they are dealing with academic pressure, navigating family transitions, facing social challenges, or exploring their independent identity,” she says.  

Benefits of Therapy or Counselling for Students  

Therapy and counselling can benefit students and make a difference in their mental health and wellbeing​.​​     ​ 

Attending therapy or counselling allows students to stay mentally healthy and improve their academic performance. Engaging with a therapist or a counsellor will allow a student to clear their mind. This will ultimately allow the brain to concentrate better on exams and assignments which can lead to achieving good grades. 

Taking care of mental health allows students to feel more energized and more focused as any concerns or issues can be dealt with in therapy, therefore boosting productivity.   

“Many young people also use therapy to improve their emotional regulation, manage stress more efficiently​,​” says Luo. This can allow students to get work done in an efficient and effective manner. 

Participating in therapy also allows students to gain self-awareness by having a better understanding of their thoughts and emotions. This helps them to feel well mentally and physically. Students will also be able to know their limits and when something or someone is bothering them. 

Therapy can help students improve their overall wellbeing by allowing them to develop inner tools and coping strategies that they can carry with them wherever they go. “For students facing complex academic, social and personal demands, therapeutic support can make meaningful differences in their mental wellbeing and overall life development,” says Luo.  

How to Reach Out to a Therapist or Counsellor 

Finding the right therapist or counsellor can seem overwhelming, but the search does not need to be stressful. Here are some ways you can start the process of finding a therapist or counsellor: 

• Get in touch with your family doctor. They can refer you to therapists, counsellors and other professionals. 

• To get more information about therapy and to find a therapist/counsellor, talk to community health centers like the Canadian Mental Health Association.  

• Phone a help center. You can reach out to Good2Talk which supports Ontario post-secondary students, Kids Help Phone which offers supports for youth or the Gerstein Centre.  

• Search for relevant books and websites that can help guide you in your search of finding a therapist or counsellor. The Ontario Psychological Association has a directory for psychologists and Psychology Today also has a list of therapists in Ontario.