TeenageToolbox

NOTE: For Adult or Couples Therapy  click here

 

 

Searching for mental health support for our teenagers and young adults is tragically a frightening place to be. Not only are we conflicted in watching a child suffer, but finding help as a parent can often increase the frustration because what we witness in the system may not resonate with what we intuitively feel is right. 

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I've been there - I understand!

 

With mental health services stretched and overwhelmed, Teenage Toolbox was founded in 2013, to help support rising numbers of youth dealing with fear, anxiety, depression, disordered eating, self-harm, insomnia, dysregulated emotions, behaviour diagnosis and addiction.

 

As a mum of four young adults and an individual who has travelled through the minefield of mental health in many different capacities; including work in schools, prisons and private practice, I saw a need to work holistically with both parents and teenagers. As a result Teenage Toolbox delivers a unique service that offers New Zealanders (and families worldwide) the support they won’t find elsewhere.

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The focus predominately shifts away from an emphasis on pathologising behaviour and medicating symptoms, into addressing the root of traumatic experiences and understanding the purpose of adaptive coping mechanisms. In doing so we cease asking a teenager, What’s wrong with you? and instead inquire, What’s happened to you?

 

Teenage Toolbox recognises we are not only living in a rapidly changing and uncertain world, but also facing one of the largest pandemics to threaten our modern world - a mental health one. A critical part of the programme therefore is delivering integrated, trauma-informed therapy to support teenagers, while also offering strategies and tools for parents struggling through a minefield of confusion, overwhelm and conflict.

 

Over the past ten years Teenage Toolbox has helped hundreds of teenagers through a personal struggle with mental health, and trained thousands of teachers and parents in schools.

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Teenage Toolbox offers:

 

​1. THERAPY 

    Compassionate and holistic 55-minute sessions, one-on-one, in person (or via zoom for international clients).

 

2. TALKS AND WORKSHOPS 

    Early intervention and preventative trauma-informed talks for teacher training, schools, universities and parent workshops.

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"Teenage Toolbox was the first place we came where we saw immediate change. In contrast to the psychologist, counsellors, and support services, Sue took the focus off our son's behaviour and gave us useable tools that worked! We cannot imagine a child that wouldn't thrive with Sue. She has a remarkable skill working with teens, relating to their world and connecting with their unmet needs. We will be forever grateful for the transformation that took place in our family and the level of compassion shown".

Anonymous (Auckland)

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"No one is ever a problem. We are all merely struggling to work through our pain, insecurity, and fear.

When individuals are heard, held, and empowered with strategies that heal - then we create lasting transformational growth!"  

Sue O'Callaghan

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