Teens & Divorce
Teen Divorce Counselling
When a teen's sleep, mood, or school life shifts during a divorce, that's a signal worth acting on rather than waiting out.
Supporting a teen through a parents' divorce
What a teen going through divorce may experience
Divorce can hit teens differently than younger children: behaviour may become more intense or riskier, anxiety can rise, and a teen’s sense of security can feel shaken. Watch for changes in sleep, eating, mood, or how they’re doing at school and with friends. These shifts are a signal worth paying attention to, not just “teen behaviour” to wait out.
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Giving a teen a trusted outside perspective
A therapist offers a teen a trusted third party outside the family: someone they can be honest with, at a healthy distance from either parent. Since teens aren’t always wired to process something as disruptive as divorce calmly or rationally, that outside support gives them room to work through anger, hurt, or confusion without it landing entirely on their parents.
Part of our wider work on Separation & Divorce Counselling.
You might recognize some of this
You can start where you are.
- Behaviour that becomes riskier or more intense
- Increased anxiety or a shaken sense of security
- Struggling academically or socially
- Difficulty sleeping
- Changes in eating patterns
- Increased anger or irritability
- Withdrawing or isolating
This is a description of experiences, not a self-diagnosis checklist.
It may be time to talk to someone
You don't need to be in crisis to deserve support.
Consider reaching out if:
- Your teen's behaviour has become riskier or more extreme since the separation
- Their sleep, eating, or mood has changed noticeably
- They seem more anxious or less secure than before
- Academic or social struggles have appeared or worsened
- You feel out of your depth trying to support them through this alone
You don't have to know if it's "just teen stuff" or the divorce before getting your teen some support.
Approaches a therapist may draw on
We match the approach to you, not the other way around. Your therapist may draw on one or several, depending on what fits.
Work through the intense emotions a separation can bring up.
Helps a teen work through the intense emotions and impulsive reactions that can surface during a family separation.
Therapists who work this way: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)Help parents support their teen through the transition.
Helps parents support their teen through the transition without adding to the strain of the separation.
Therapists who work this way: Family Systems TherapyA therapist who fits your situation
Our registered therapists have real experience helping people through what you are facing.
Dr. Cathryn Harris
Registered Psychologist
PhD, C.Psych.
Couples, Families, Individuals
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Cathy Penny
Registered Social Worker
BA, BSW, MSW, RRP, RSW
Couples, Families, Individuals
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Rev. Chad Tomlinson
Registered Psychotherapist
MTS, MEd, MA, OCT, RP
Couples, Families, Individuals
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Dan Watterworth
Registered Psychotherapist
BTh, MDiv, RP
Couples, Families, Individuals
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Gretchen Savery
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
MA, BA, RP (Qualifying)
Families, Individuals
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Lisa Bynoe-Stevens
Registered Psychotherapist
BASc, MDiv, CSFT, RP
Couples, Families, Individuals
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Michelle Hodgson
Registered Social Worker
SSW, BA, BSW, MSW, RSW
Couples, Families, Individuals
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Michelle Pennells
Counsellor and Art Therapist
HBA, DTATI (Thesis Pending)
Families, Individuals
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Common questions
Divorce can affect teens differently: for some it's a source of relief, for others real distress. Behaviour may become more intense or riskier, anxiety can increase, and academic or social functioning may struggle for a period.
Teens are usually aware something has been wrong for a while. It helps to have an honest conversation together with both parents present, making clear the decision has nothing to do with them.
It helps for parents to manage their own hurt and anger first, rather than letting it spill onto the teen or the other parent. Teens need extra time and support to process something as disruptive as divorce.
It can sometimes be a relief, particularly if it removes a teen from an unhealthy environment. Every family situation is different, and what matters most is the support available during and after.
It's a genuinely difficult life event and can involve real pain. Most teens get through it and come out stronger with the right support in place.
Care you can lean on
Sessions with our registered therapists are covered by most extended health and workplace benefit plans. Not sure what yours includes? We're happy to help you check before you book.
Sessions typically start at $150 and vary by therapist. Not sure where to begin? Our Intake Specialists can talk through fees, coverage, and which therapist fits what you are facing. Call (905) 319-1488 during business hours.
Ready when you are. We're here to listen.
Browse our registered therapists and reach out when you're ready. We'll usually reply within one business day.