Youth and teen therapy in Vaughan
A space that’s just theirs.
The teen years can be a lot, for them and for you. Our therapists meet young people where they are and help with anxiety, low mood, stress and the big changes that come with growing up. In Vaughan and online across Ontario.
Supporting a younger child? Our child and youth therapists work with younger children too, often through play, with parents closely involved.
Takes 2 minutes. No credit card. No referral needed.
- 24+ Registered PsychotherapistsLook any of us up on the CRPO register
- Direct billing availableSun Life, Beneva, Green Shield
- Evenings and weekendsIn person or online
Needing support is a normal part of growing up.
Adolescence brings a wave of pressure all at once: school, friendships, identity, social media, family. Big feelings and rocky patches are a normal part of growing up. They’re not a sign that something is wrong with your teen, or with you as a parent.
Sometimes those feelings get bigger than a young person can handle alone, and that’s when outside support helps. Therapy gives a teen a private, judgment-free space that’s just theirs, and gives you practical guidance on supporting them at home.
Youth therapy is warm, evidence-based talk therapy for teens aged 13 to 17. It gives a young person a private space of their own to work through anxiety, mood and stress, builds coping skills they keep, and gives parents guidance along the way.
- A private, judgment-free space for your teen
- Practical guidance for parents along the way
- Teen-friendly, in person or online
What have you been noticing in your teen?
Tap anything you’ve noticed. None of these means something is wrong with your teen. They’re common, and very workable.
Their safety comes first.
If you’re worried your teen is thinking about suicide or might hurt themselves, reach out for support now, any time of day or night. You don’t have to be sure before you call.
988 Suicide Crisis Helpline, call or text any time988Kids Help Phone, free and 24/7, or text CONNECT to 6868681-800-668-6868In an emergency, call 911.
Talk with us about next stepsStart with what you’re noticing.
Tap what sounds like home lately, and we’ll suggest a sensible next step.
You’ve noticed 1 thing.
That’s common, and very workable. A free 20-minute consult is a calm way to talk it through and find the right fit for your teen.
You’ve noticed 3 things.
That’s a lot to hold, for them and for you. You don’t need a crisis to reach out, and early support often helps most.
Teen not ready to come? Many parents start with a session of their own while their teen warms up to the idea.
Book a free 20-minute consultThis isn’t a diagnosis.
Just a phase, or time to reach out?
Almost every parent wonders where ordinary teenage moodiness ends and a real struggle begins. Step through a few common signs, what may sit underneath, and what helps.
- 1What you see
“Everything I say gets snapped at.”
- 2What may be underneathAnger is often anxiety or sadness on the outside.Underneath the snapping is often a feeling they don’t yet have words for.
- 3The shift
“When I stopped arguing with the tone and asked about their day, a different conversation started.”
- 1What you see
“They’ve stopped seeing friends and barely leave their room.”
- 2What may be underneathMore privacy is normal. Withdrawing from everything can be a signal.Pulling back from the people and things they used to enjoy can mean they’re struggling underneath, and it’s worth a gentle conversation.
- 3The shift
“I stopped pushing for answers and started just being around. That made it easier to talk.”
- 1What you see
“Their grades are slipping and they say they don’t care.”
- 2What may be underneathOften anxiety or low mood, not laziness.Support tends to help most when it comes early, before things snowball into something bigger.
- 3The shift
“Once we saw the worry under the shrug, we could help with the right thing.”
- 1What you see
“What would therapy actually do for my teen?”
- 2What may be underneathA private space of their own, and a hand for you.Your teen gets confidential, judgment-free time to work through what’s hard and build skills they keep. You get practical guidance on supporting them at home, and the therapist explains where the confidentiality line sits.
- 3The shift
“They have someone to talk to who isn’t us, and we know how to help in between.”
An illustration of a common pattern, not a real client’s words. None of these means something is wrong, and early support helps.
Talk it through, free for 20 minutesMeet therapists who work with young people
Every therapist below is registered with the CRPO and is warm, patient and easy for teens to talk to. Watch a short intro, read their profile, or let us match you in your free consultation.
Watch introHafiza Dakri
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)CRPO #20273Woodbridge · Online
A gentle, integrative space for older teens to slow down and reconnect with the strength that’s been pushing through it all.
Watch introKeera Anton
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)CRPO #18896Online only
Brings eight years of behavioural therapy experience, helping young people build resilience and feel more in control.
Watch introElnaz Bayandor
Registered PsychotherapistCRPO #13225Online only
Warm and patient, working with young people and their families on anxiety, big emotions, school stress and life transitions.
Watch introLiza Agrba
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)CRPO #23727Woodbridge · Online
Thoughtful and collaborative, for young people who feel anxious, overwhelmed or caught in patterns they can’t quite explain.
Not sure who fits?
Let us match you in your free consultation. If the fit isn’t right for your teen, we’ll help you switch to another therapist on the team.
Your teen on their own, with you alongside.
Therapy can centre on your teen, or include you as a parent, depending on what helps most. We figure that out together in the free consult.
One-on-one with your teen
A private space where your young person can speak freely and build their own coping skills. The first session is the same 55 minutes at the same rate.
Guidance for parents
Parent sessions give you practical ways to support your teen and stay connected at home, and family sessions can help when the struggle is showing up between you.
About family therapyWhat your teen’s first session looks like
A lot of teens picture being put on the spot. It’s the opposite of that. The first session is the same 55 minutes at the same rate as every other, with no separate assessment fee.
- 1Minutes 0 to 10
Getting comfortable
No couch, no interrogation. The therapist keeps it relaxed, explains how confidentiality works, and lets your teen set the pace.
- 2Minutes 10 to 45
Building trust first
Rather than digging into everything at once, the therapist gets to know your teen, what their world is like and what feels hard right now.
- 3Throughout
No wrong thing to say
There’s no agenda to push through. Where it fits, your teen leaves with one simple, doable idea to try.
- 4The last 10 minutes
Looping in parents, the right way
Parents are kept appropriately in the loop while your teen’s confidentiality is respected. The therapist explains where that line sits, so everyone knows what to expect.
“You’re not in trouble. I just want you to have someone to talk to who isn’t us.”
Lead with support, not with what’s wrong.
Teen not ready to come?
That’s very common, and it’s workable. Many parents start with a session of their own to get guidance while their teen warms up to the idea.
Parenting counsellingEvidence-based, and teen-friendly.
There’s no single script for a young person. Your therapist draws on approaches with strong research behind them and shapes them to fit your teen. Sessions stay predictable and age-appropriate, with a clear structure that helps teens feel safe rather than put on the spot.
CBT for anxiety and mood
Practical tools to quiet anxious thoughts and lift low mood, in language teens relate to.
More on CBTStrengths and self-esteem work
Building confidence from what’s already strong in them, not only working on what’s hard.
Self-esteem therapyEmotion regulation skills
Concrete ways to ride big feelings without being swept away by them.
More on DBTFamily-aware and collaborative
Working with the whole picture at home, so change is supported rather than undone.
About family therapyInnerSight was founded by Svetlana Antonyshyn, RP, on the belief that healing should treat the person, not a label. More about our approach.
What the research says
We’ll always be honest about evidence. Talk therapy for young people is well studied, though effects vary by concern, and no one can promise how it will go for one teen.
In Ontario’s 2023 student survey of grades 7 to 12, more than half of students reported moderate-to-serious psychological distress, a figure that has doubled over the past decade.
In the same survey, a third of students said they’d felt they needed professional mental health support in the past year but didn’t seek it. Thinking they could manage it themselves was one of the most common reasons.
Across 447 trials with more than 30,000 young people, a young person who had therapy had a 63% chance of faring better than one who didn’t. Effects were strongest for anxiety and weaker for depression.
A Cochrane review found that after CBT, about 49% of anxious children and teens no longer met criteria for their main anxiety diagnosis, against 18% on waiting lists. The evidence was moderate quality, and CBT wasn’t clearly better than usual care.
Our Registered Psychotherapists do not diagnose or prescribe. If you’re wondering about ADHD, autism or medication, that assessment belongs with your family doctor or your teen’s doctor, and we’re glad to work alongside them.
Clinically reviewed by Svetlana Antonyshyn, Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO #001652). Last reviewed October 2026.
What youth therapy costs
No hidden fees and no pressure. A young person’s first session is the same 55 minutes at the same rate as every other. Most private insurance plans cover a portion of psychotherapy fees. We can bill Sun Life, Beneva (formerly SSQ) and Green Shield directly when your plan is with one of them, and we provide receipts for claims with other insurers.
- $0
- Free consultation · 20 minA parent, a teen, or both can meet a therapist and ask anything. No credit card and no obligation.
- $180
- Sessions · 55 minThe same rate for the first session and every one after, with a CRPO-registered psychotherapist.
- $125
- Reduced-fee sessionWith select supervised therapists in training. Available for teens.
Appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice may be charged a cancellation fee. Sessions aren’t covered by OHIP, but psychotherapy from a Registered Psychotherapist may qualify as a medical expense at tax time. Worried about cost? See our reduced-fee program, or call us. We’re happy to walk you through it.
How far could your benefits go?
Pick your plan’s yearly maximum for a Registered Psychotherapist.
An estimate, not a quote or a promise of coverage. Plans differ on the percentage reimbursed, per-visit limits, deductibles and which providers they recognize, so check your benefits booklet or ask your insurer about “Registered Psychotherapist” and “Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying).”
Book a free 20-minute consultDon’t take our word for it. Check.
Anyone can say they’re good at this. Here’s what you can verify about us in about two minutes, without speaking to anyone.
Regulated, not self-declared
“Psychotherapist” is a protected title in Ontario. Our team are Registered Psychotherapists, accountable to a College with a public complaints process.
See every therapist’s registrationSupervised every month
Our therapists meet for clinical supervision every month, so the work stays accountable to someone other than the person doing it.
How we workWe show our sources
Where we describe what therapy can help with, we name the source and link it, from Statistics Canada and CAMH to peer-reviewed trials.
What we help withNothing locks you in
No referral needed. No contract, no package to buy. Fees are published up front, $180 for a 55-minute session. If the fit isn’t right, tell us and we’ll help you switch to another therapist on the team.
Fees and coverageYouth therapy: your questions, answered
Still wondering about something? Ask us in a free consult, or call (905) 553-9507. Phones are answered weekdays 9 am to 5 pm, Saturdays 9 am to 2 pm.
What ages do you work with?
We work with children, teens and young adults. Teens and young people aged 12 and up are seen across our wider team, and younger children work with our child therapists, including play therapy from age 3. At your free consultation we match you with the therapist who fits your child's age and needs.
Do I need a referral for youth therapy in Vaughan?
No referral is needed. You can book a free 20-minute consultation online at psychotherapyclinic.janeapp.com or call (905) 553-9507. Most families have their first full session within a week.
Will what my teen says stay private?
Our therapists protect a teen’s confidentiality so they feel safe to open up, while keeping parents appropriately involved. We explain exactly how this works at the start, so everyone knows what to expect.
What if my teen does not want to come?
This is very common, and it is workable. We go gently and build trust first, never forcing anything. Parents can also start with a session of their own to get guidance while their teen warms up to the idea.
How do I know if it is serious enough for therapy?
You do not need a crisis to reach out. Early support often helps young people before things build up. If you are worried at all, a free consultation is a good, no-pressure first step.
Is youth therapy available online across Ontario?
Yes. We offer secure video sessions anywhere in the province, plus in-person sessions in Vaughan, Woodbridge and Barrie. Many teens find online sessions comfortable and easy to fit around school.
How much does it cost and is it covered?
The first 20-minute consultation is free, and individual sessions are $180 for 55 minutes. There is no OHIP coverage, but most private insurance plans cover a portion of services from a Registered Psychotherapist, and we bill Sun Life, Beneva (formerly SSQ) and Green Shield directly.
What happens in the first session?
It is a relaxed, low-pressure meeting where your therapist gets to know your teen and what would help. There is no agenda to push through, just a chance to feel comfortable and start building trust.
How is therapy different from talking to a school counsellor?
A school counsellor is a helpful first stop, but their time and scope are limited and shared across many students. A Registered Psychotherapist offers dedicated, confidential sessions built around your teen specifically, with more time to build trust and go deeper on what is going on.
Is this just teen moodiness or something more?
Some ups and downs are a normal part of adolescence. It may be worth a closer look if the mood, withdrawal or worry lasts for weeks, is affecting school, sleep or friendships, or feels different from your teen's usual self. You do not need to be certain either way. A free consultation is a low-pressure way to find out.
Youth therapy near you
In-person sessions in Woodbridge, Maple and Barrie, plus secure video sessions anywhere in Ontario. Evenings and weekends available.
Online across Ontario
Secure video sessions from anywhere in the province, easy to fit around school.
Book an online consultAppointment hoursMonday to Friday, 9:30 am to 8:00 pmSaturday, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
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The right support can make the teen years feel a lot less heavy, and the first step is a free, no-pressure conversation. You can take it today.
Phones answered Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm, Saturday 9 am to 2 pm.
