Over the past year, we’ve seen more teens than any year prior.
While it’s encouraging that young people are starting to reach out for support, It seems like they may also be carrying more weight. As a mom, I have noticed my own teens worrying, overthinking, and stressing out about more than I ever did (back in the 1900s). You might be noticing this in your own teen, too.
Teen anxiety is rising, and it’s not just about nerves before an exam or typical teenage moods.
Many teens are living with a level of fear and pressure that feels crushing. Whether it’s the day to day stuff like academic stress, social media, and social standing, or the more macro level stressors like climate change, global instability, and the ripple effects of the pandemic, it’s no wonder they’re struggling.
Our counsellors wanted to pull some data together to better understand why teens are struggling. This study looks at the sharp increase in teen counselling in 2024 and the implications this has going into 2025. This data comes from our Vancouver counselling clinic, so it’s just a small sample.
From 2024 to 2025, we collected information to understand why teens see a youth counsellor and what helps them feel supported.
While this data is specific to our Vancouver clinic, it gives us a glimpse into the challenges teens are facing every day.
Why Are Teens Feeling So Anxious?
There are so many reasons why teens feel anxious these days. Social media plays a big role, with constant comparisons and pressure to be “perfect, impressive, and popular”
On top of that, there’s school stress, trying to fit in with friends, and dealing with family issues. Post-pandemic life hasn’t been easy either—many teens feel like they’re still catching up emotionally and socially.
Teen anxiety can show up in a lot of ways, like feeling overwhelmed, overthinking every decision, avoiding certain situations, or struggling to focus. It’s not just stress, whihc comes and goes—it’s a constant lack of ease; a chronic layer of worry that makes everyday life harder. And when this worry builds up, it can lead to depression in teens, making them feel hopeless or disconnected.
What We Found in Our Study
Who’s Coming to Counselling?
Most of the teens we saw were between 14-16 years old. High school brings a lot of challenges, from academics to social dynamics, to figuring out who they are.
The 12–14 age group wasn’t far behind. This is when social media often starts to have a big impact, and many kids are adjusting to middle school.
Older teens, ages 18–19, also come in, usually for help with anxiety about their future.
Teens committed to coming to counselling are roughly 65% female and 35% male.
“Teens need support developing coping strategies, building strong relationships, and finding supportive environments. Therapy is a valuable resource that provides teens with guidance, emotional support, and tools for navigating the complexities of adolescence.”
Meet Carly Belzberg, Vancouver Counsellor
How Many Sessions Do Teens Usually Attend When They Start Counselling?
On average, teens attended 6–10 counselling sessions. Some came for just a few to work through a specific issue, while others needed more ongoing support. It really depends on what they’re going through and the strategies a teen therapist helps them build.
Why Are Teens Seeking Counselling?
The top three reasons teens came to us were:
- Anxiety in teens: This included academic stress, fear of failure, and worrying about what others think of them.
- Social Anxiety: Many teens felt nervous or awkward in social settings, especially when meeting new people or speaking up in class. This also brings up an important point of how social media is affecting teens and their ability to socialize and interact.
- Because They Can: We have seen an increase in teens asking to seek counselling. With a rise in the “trauma from your parents” trend that many millennials face it seems like more teens are taking their fears and concerns into their own hands.
Andy Park is a Registered Clinical Counsellor at Open Space Counselling, and he believes we have had a breakthrough in the conversation around counselling.
“While the idea of being in therapy hasn’t hit the territory of being cool (yet), teens are becoming more open when it comes to mental health. I’m noticing more dialogue about therapy in just about everyone I speak to, and it’s become more normal to see a specialist about difficult things in life.”
Meet Andy Park, Vancouver Counsellor
What’s Changing Over Time?
In just one year, we’ve seen a 300% increase in teens coming to us for anxiety-related issues. Social media continues to play a huge role, as does the pressure to succeed in school. It’s clear that these struggles are becoming more common, and the demand for counselling for youth continues to grow.
What Teens Tell Us in Counselling
When teens come to counselling, they often say they feel anxious in social situations or a lack of confidence in themselves. One told me in her consultation call it was “anxiety over school work” but in session she came clean that her source of major anxiety is navigating social power dynamics at school and in her friend group. Maja Miljkovic, Vancouver Counsellor
What This Means for Parents and Schools
If you’re a parent, teacher, or someone who works with teens, there are a few things you can do to help:
- Notice the Signs: Teens might not always tell you they’re struggling, but changes in their mood, behavior, or school performance can be clues.
- Talk About Mental Health: Make it okay to talk about feelings and stress. Let teens know it’s normal to ask for help.
- Encourage Counselling: If a teen in your life is showing signs of anxiety or depression, counselling for youth can make a huge difference.
Schools can also play a big role by offering mental health resources like workshops, peer support groups, and access to teen therapists.
How Counselling Helps Teens
Counselling gives teens a safe space to talk about what’s bothering them. It helps them feel less alone and more in control of their emotions. At Open Space Counselling, we focus on tools like:
- Truly listening to them without judgement
- Helping them organize their thoughts to outline what they really believe and feel about a situation
- Build confidence by talking through the issue they are currently facing
One teen shared, “Counselling made me realize I don’t have to carry everything by myself.” That’s the kind of shift that can change a teen’s life.
What Can We Do as a Community?
This study shows us that more and more teens need support. Together, we can make a difference by:
- Talking openly about mental health.
- Encouraging early intervention.
- Advocating for better mental health resources in schools and communities.
If you’re worried about a teen in your life, don’t wait to reach out. Whether it’s teen anxiety, depression in teens, or just feeling overwhelmed, help is available—and it works.
Seeing teens come through our doors and leave feeling more confident and hopeful is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do. Anxiety and depression don’t have to define a teen’s life, and with the right support, they can thrive.
If you’re looking for help for your teen, we’re here to support you. Book a free consultation and let’s work together to give them the tools they need to face life with courage and confidence.
About the Author
Elana Sures is the owner of Open Space Counselling. She has a Masters degree in Counselling Psychology from UBC (2005) and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and an Accredited Clinical Supervisor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. Elana is a go-to expert on the psychological experiences of female high achievers.