CBT · From age 11 · Paris

Preteens & Teenagers

Therapy can help when a difficulty starts taking up too much space in school, family, social or personal life.

The aim is to understand what is happening, identify what keeps the difficulty going, and gradually try out new ways of responding.

When to seek support

Anxiety, persistent worries or panic attacks.
Phobias and avoidance.
Social difficulties or fear of other people's judgement.
ADHD, organisation, attention or procrastination.
Self-esteem and confidence.
Emotional difficulties, bullying or problems at school.
Sleep and screen use.
Life changes or relationship difficulties.

Practical, age-adapted therapy

With preteens and teenagers, therapy does not rely on talking alone. Depending on age and needs, we can use games, visual representations, scenarios, exercises, role-play, behavioural experiments and virtual reality.

Situations can be drawn, represented or experienced to make the links between thoughts, emotions and behaviour easier to understand.

Growing independence with age

11–13 · With parentsYoung person ↔ therapist + parents. Parents remain involved when this is helpful in everyday life.

14–16 · Growing independenceTeenager ↔ therapist. Parents are involved more selectively.

17–20 · Towards independenceYoung person ↔ therapist. Parents may still be involved occasionally, with the young adult’s agreement.

Learning by experimenting

CBT is not only about talking through a difficulty. It also involves testing different responses in practice: observe, try, adjust, repeat.

An avoided situation can be approached gradually, a thought can be tested, or a new way of responding can be tried between sessions.

Virtual reality

Virtual reality can be used when it adds something useful to therapy. With a game-like feel, it can create gradual, controlled situations for certain fears, social situations or exposure exercises.

Discover → observe → experiment → gradually increase the difficulty

The young person can progress level by level, notice their reactions and try new strategies. VR remains a tool within therapy, not a therapy in itself.

What about parents?

Their role depends on age, the situation and the goals of therapy. They can be involved to better understand a difficulty, support specific changes or check in when useful, while the young person keeps a therapeutic space of their own.

From age 11

Support is offered to preteens, teenagers and young adults aged 11 to 20. I do not currently provide therapy for children under 11.

Book a session → Practical details