Teen and Adolescent Mental Health
Supporting children and families through upset tummies, coughs and colds, itchy skin, sleeping issues and everything in between.
Book Your Appointment
Holistic Mental Health Support
Holistic mental health support for teenagers and adolescents takes an integrated approach to supporting emotional, psychological, and physical wellbeing. We understand the challenges that concerned families face when it comes to supporting their teenager’s mental health. Our approach acknowledges that mental health is intricately linked to many facets of life, including physical health, the dynamics of social relationships, education support, and the vital process of personal development.
Free Consultation
Book Your Free Discovery Call
If you’re unsure if a naturopath is a good fit for your family, book in a 15min chat.
Book your free discovery callTeenage mental health support
Our team of experienced professionals offers evidence based natural therapies and techniques to help teenagers manage their mental health effectively. We work alongside the established mental healthcare team to offer evidence based natural support.
Anxiety in Teens and Adolescents
Anxiety is a common experience during adolescence. It can manifest as excessive worry, fear, or unease about various aspects of life, such as school, social relationships, or the future.
Symptoms: Signs of anxiety in teenagers may include restlessness, muscle tension, rapid heartbeat, difficulty sleeping, and avoidance of certain situations.
Support: Holistic help for anxious teens can include herbal medicines to calm the stress response, amino acid therapy, nutritional supplementation to support the production of calm hormones, and gut-brain connection support.
Depression in Teens and Adolescents
Recognising Depression: Depression is a serious mood disorder that can affect teenagers, leading to persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed.
Symptoms of teenage depression: Symptoms of depression may include changes in sleep patterns, appetite, energy levels, concentration difficulties, and thoughts of self harm or suicide.
Support: We offer natural support alongside medical care for teenage depression. Treatment may include herbal medicine, nutritional medicine, identifying and addressing nutritional deficiencies, and gut-brain connection support. Our goal is to help teenagers regain their emotional wellbeing and build resilience.
Difficulty Concentrating
Academic Challenges: Difficulty concentrating in school can hinder academic success and contribute to stress. We provide academic support services tailored to the unique needs of each teenager, including natural options for supporting concentration and memory, study skills development, and guidance on time management.
Support: We work closely with teenagers and their families to identify the underlying causes of concentration difficulties and develop strategies to improve focus and academic performance.
Sleep Disturbances
Importance of Sleep: Healthy sleep patterns are essential for physical and emotional wellbeing. Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or irregular sleep schedules, can impact a teenager’s mental health.
Support: We offer herbal medicines to promote better sleep alongside guidance on sleep hygiene and relaxation techniques. We also address underlying issues that may contribute to sleep disturbances such as changes to the circadian rhythm, nutritional deficiencies, and stress.
Teenager Mood Swings
Behavioral Challenges: Adolescents may exhibit behavioral issues that can affect their relationships and overall wellbeing. These behaviours may include defiance, aggression, or withdrawal.
Support: Our aim is to work with teenagers and their families to understand the underlying causes of behavioural issues and develop effective strategies for managing and improving behaviour.
Support for Academic Success
Academic Support: We recognise the importance of academic success in a teenager’s life. Academic achievements play a vital role in shaping a teenager’s future, self esteem, and overall wellbeing. Our goal is to empower teenagers with the skills and resources they need to excel academically and prepare for a successful future.
Support: Treatment options may include supplements to support cognition, guidance on lifestyle balance, stress management, sleep hygiene, and nutrition for brain health.
Treatment options
- Nutritional Support
- Diet support: Where appropriate, naturopathic practitioners emphasise the importance of a balanced diet rich in whole foods. Proper nutrition supports gut health (remember that the gut and the brain are connected!), provides essential nutrients for brain health and mood regulation.
- Supplements: In some cases, we may recommend specific supplements like omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil), B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc, which can play a role in supporting the production of certain neurotransmitters and optimising mental health.
- Herbal Medicine
- Herbal Remedies: A naturopath may prescribe herbal supplements with properties known to support mental health. For example, St. John’s Wort is sometimes used to alleviate symptoms of mild to moderate depression, while adaptogenic herbs such as Withania and Rhodiola help the body to adapt to stress and promote emotional balance. All herbal medicines for adolescents must be taken under professional guidance.
- Lifestyle Modification
- Exercise: Regular physical activity can have a profound impact on mood and mental health. Supporting teenagers in finding a physical outlet that they are comfortable with is often part of a holistic approach to supporting mental wellbeing.
- Sleep: Improving sleep hygiene and addressing sleep disturbances is a key component of naturopathic care for mental health. Good quality sleep essential for cognitive functions such as memory consolidation, problem solving, and decision making. Adequate sleep supports the growth, development, and day-to-day functioning of the teenage brain.
- Mind Body Practices
- Mindfulness and Meditation: Naturopaths may introduce mindfulness and meditation techniques to help adolescents manage stress, anxiety, enhance mental clarity, and improve emotional regulation.
- Detoxification
- Naturopaths may consider supporting the body’s natural detoxification processes to remove potential toxins that could impact mental health. Heavy metals, pesticides, poor air quality, chemical toxins, poor hormone clearance and alcohol use have all been linked to mental health issues in teenagers.
- Individualised Treatment Plans
- Naturopaths create individualised treatment plans tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of the teenager. Individualised care takes into account factors like diet, genetics, lifestyle, and emotional wellbeing. The aim is to work with adolescents in setting achievable goals with noticeable benefits, to empower them to take the lead when it comes to mental health.
- Collaborative Care
- As natural health care practitioners, we often work in collaboration with other healthcare professionals. We are more than happy to collaborate with your families therapists, psychiatrists, and counsellors to provide comprehensive care.
Natural treatment options are a valuable complement to conventional approaches for supporting mental health in teens and adolescents.
Naturopathic medicine focuses on holistic healing, addressing the underlying causes of mental health issues, and promoting overall wellbeing.
We firmly believe that promoting mental health among teenagers extends beyond symptom management. It’s about empowering adolescents with the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to thrive in the complex, ever changing world they inhabit. By addressing the interconnectedness of these various aspects of life, including physical health, interpersonal relationships, and personal growth, we aim to nurture the holistic wellbeing of teenagers and adolescents.
Holistic mental health support assist teenagers in building resilience, fostering positive relationships, and developing practical life skills that can serve them well throughout their lives. we provide a range of natural strategies and support options designed to help teenagers manage stress, anxiety, and mood disorders effectively.
Free Consultation
Book Your Free Discovery Call
If you’re unsure if a naturopath is a good fit for your family, book in a 15min chat.
Book your free discovery call
