Counselling for children around ages 10 to 13 and the adults who care for them, offered in person in Edmonton and St. Albert and virtually across Alberta. Registered Psychologists regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). Registered Provisional Psychologists, Registered Social Workers regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), counsellors certified by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), and supervised student therapists. In-person sessions at five Edmonton and St. Albert locations. Virtual sessions available across Alberta.

Book a Session | Match with a Therapist

You Might Be Wondering Whether Counselling Is Right for Your Tween

You may not be sure whether what you are seeing is just part of growing up or a sign that your child could use more support. Maybe you decided it was probably a phase, then changed your mind a week later. That back-and-forth is hard to live with, especially when your tween is not saying much.

If you are a tween reading this yourself, you might be wondering whether your feelings are big enough to talk to someone about. They do not have to be a crisis to matter.

Perhaps some of this sounds familiar:

• a child who used to talk the whole drive home and now answers in one word
• stomach aches or tears on Sunday nights before the school week starts
• a friend group that shifted suddenly, and your tween will not say what happened

These changes often make sense. The years between about 10 and 13 can bring shifts in school, friendships, family routines, emotions, and independence, sometimes all at once. A tween who is struggling with some of that is reacting to real pressures. It does not mean something is wrong with them, or with your parenting.

On this page, "tweens" refers broadly to children around ages 10 to 13 ("The Tween Years," n.d.). Age ranges vary, so if your child is a little younger or older, much of this may still apply.

If you are weighing whether talking with someone could help, the sections below explain what counselling for this age group looks like, what it does not include, and how families get started. You may also be reading this for a grandchild, a student, or another young person in your life. The information here is meant for you too.

Who Tween Counselling May Help

Counselling at this stage may be a good fit for:

• tweens dealing with changes at school, with friends, or at home
• tweens who would like a space of their own to talk things through
• tweens facing worries, low confidence, or unkind treatment from peers
• caregivers who have noticed changes and want to understand what support could look like
• families adjusting to a move, a new school, a separation, or another big transition
• caregivers who want guidance on supporting their tween at home, which you can also explore through our parenting support counselling

This service may not be the right fit for:

• Immediate safety concerns or a mental health crisis. Please use the crisis resources below.
• Forensic or legal needs, such as reports for court or parenting disputes. These needs are outside this therapy service.
• A formal diagnosis. Psychological assessments are a separate service. You can read about our child and youth assessment services.
• Concerns about harmful sexual behaviour in children, which are supported through our dedicated harmful sexual behaviour in children service.
• Younger children or older teens, who may find a closer match on our pages about mental health in children ages 6 to 9 and teen therapy for youth 13 to 15.

If Your Tween Needs Help Right Now

Counselling appointments are not set up to respond to emergencies. If you are worried about someone's safety right now, these services can help:

• 911 if anyone is in immediate danger
• Call or text 9-8-8 (24/7) if a tween is thinking about suicide or you are worried they might be (Government of Canada, n.d.)
• Alberta Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642 (24/7)
• Kids Help Phone: text CONNECT to 686868 (24/7)

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service.

What Tween Mental Health Counselling Is (and Is Not)

Tween counselling is a structured, collaborative space where a tween, and sometimes their caregivers, can talk about concerns, goals, relationships, and ways of coping. A therapist may use conversation, age-appropriate activities, reflection, and skills practice. What gets discussed, who takes part, and how often you meet depend on your tween, your family, and the goals you set together.

Your tween sets the pace. The therapist will not push them to share anything before they are ready, and sessions can focus on present-day situations rather than going back over everything.

Counselling here is not:

• a legal service or an investigative process
• crisis intervention or emergency care
• medical care, so questions about medication or physical health belong with your family doctor or paediatrician
• a psychological assessment, so this service does not include diagnostic testing or a formal diagnosis

Formal diagnosis relies on classification systems such as ICD-11, which includes a chapter on mental, behavioural, and neurodevelopmental disorders (World Health Organization [WHO], n.d.). Counselling does not require a diagnosis, and it is not a way of putting a label on your child.

What your tween shares is kept confidential within limits set by law. At the start, the therapist explains what stays private, what may be shared with caregivers, and when confidentiality cannot be kept. The confidentiality section below has more detail.

Each clinician works within the scope of their professional registration and training. If your tween's needs fall outside that scope, the clinician will talk with you about other options, which may include a referral.

Signs Stress or Change May Be Affecting Your Tween

Tweens do not always have words for what is bothering them. Sometimes changes show up first in behaviour, mood, or the body. You or your tween might notice:

• more irritability, tears, or big reactions to things that used to feel small
• a lot of worry about school, friends, or what other people think
• pulling away from family or spending much more time alone
• being left out, picked on, or treated unkindly by peers
• not wanting to go to school or to activities they used to enjoy
• stomach aches, headaches, or trouble sleeping, especially before stressful days (and something to raise with your family doctor)
• being very hard on themselves, or saying things like "I'm bad at everything"
• having a hard time adjusting to a change at home, such as a move or a separation

This list is not a checklist or a screening tool. It cannot tell you whether your tween has a mental health condition, and some of these patterns can be part of ordinary growing up, especially during a stretch with a lot of change.

Noticing a few of these does not mean something is permanently wrong. They are often understandable reactions to real pressures. If they last, get in the way of daily life, or worry you, a structured space to talk may help you and your tween make sense of what is happening.

How Treatment Works Here

• Find your therapist. Use the Match with a Therapist tool or browse Our Therapists to read about each clinician's background and approach. If you would like help choosing, the admin team can talk it through with you at 780-904-4880. If parenting is shared between households, mention this when you call so the team can explain what consent may be needed.
• Book your first session. You can book online through our online booking system. The first session covers what brought you in, how confidentiality works and where its limits are, consent, and early goals. With tweens, the therapist may meet with the tween and caregivers together, separately, or both.
• Build your plan together. Your tween, you, and the therapist shape a plan around your tween's needs and what matters to them. Your tween's view is part of that plan, not an afterthought.
• Ongoing sessions. Sessions are generally 50 minutes, usually weekly or every two weeks. Frequency can be adjusted as needs change.
• Progress check-ins. The therapist reviews progress with you and your tween regularly. The plan adapts as things shift at home, at school, or in counselling.

There is no fixed number of sessions. Counselling is collaborative, and both your tween's voice and yours matter at each stage. For more about the process, see Getting Started with Therapy.

Evidence and Approaches

Families often ask which type of therapy works best for tweens. The research gathered for this page does not include verified findings on specific named therapies for children aged 10 to 13. For that reason, this page does not rank one method above another or describe outcomes for particular techniques. Your therapist can talk with you about the approaches they use and why.

Counselling Shaped for the Tween Years

What it helps with: Concerns tied to the changes of roughly ages 10 to 13, such as school, friendships, family routines, emotions, and growing independence.

Evidence summary: A systematic literature review published in Heliyon looked specifically at services for children aged 10 to 13 ("The Tween Years," n.d.). In Canada, Statistics Canada monitors the mental health of children and youth through the Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, including a comparison of 2023 responses with the 2019 survey (Statistics Canada, n.d.).

Limitations: This page does not draw conclusions from these sources about which services work best or how common particular concerns are among tweens.

Support With Worries and Peer Difficulties

What it helps with: Worry, stress, and hurtful peer experiences such as bullying, which are among the reasons some families reach out.

Evidence summary: Canadian public education resources address anxiety in children and youth (Canadian Mental Health Association [CMHA], 2017) and bullying among children (Canadian Psychological Association [CPA], 2021). Counselling may offer a structured space to talk through these experiences and practise coping strategies that suit the tween.

Limitations: These are public education resources, not treatment studies, so they do not show how well any counselling approach works. Worry or bullying does not, on its own, point to a diagnosis.

Caregiver Collaboration

What it helps with: Helping caregivers understand the process and support goals at home, while protecting the tween's need for a space of their own.

Evidence summary: The sources gathered for this page do not include research on specific caregiver-involvement models for tweens. Caregiver involvement is offered as part of the clinic's collaborative approach and is planned around the goals of counselling, consent, privacy, and the tween's developmental needs.

Limitations: How much caregivers take part varies from family to family. No particular level of involvement, or access to session content, can be promised in advance.

What Results to Expect

Progress is rarely a straight line. A tween may have a few steadier weeks, then a harder stretch after a test, a falling-out with a friend, or a change at home. A harder stretch does not necessarily mean the work has stalled.

Some families notice shifts within a few months. Others find that longer-term support fits better. What happens depends on many things, including:

• what your tween has been dealing with, and for how long
• what is happening at home, at school, and with friends
• how comfortable your tween feels with their therapist
• how caregivers and the tween want to work together

No form of counselling can guarantee a particular outcome, and outcomes vary from one tween to the next. Therapeutic fit matters. Changing therapist or approach is always an option if something is not working.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What your tween shares in counselling is kept confidential, within limits set by law and professional standards. Knowing those limits ahead of time helps both tweens and caregivers decide what they feel comfortable sharing.

Psychologists at Wholesome Psychology are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). They follow the CAP Standards of Practice and the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists from the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). Registered social workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). Personal and health information is handled under Alberta privacy law, including the Health Information Act (HIA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

Confidentiality has legal exceptions. A therapist may need to share information without consent when:

• there is a risk of serious harm to your tween or to someone else
• there is suspected abuse or neglect of a child, which must be reported under Alberta law
• a court orders the release of information

With tweens, confidentiality has one more layer. At the start of care, the therapist talks with your tween and with you about what stays between the tween and therapist, what may be shared with caregivers, and when privacy cannot be kept. In some cases, everyone agrees in advance on topics that will stay private unless the law requires otherwise. These arrangements are planned around your tween's needs and the consent process.

Your clinician will explain these limits clearly during the first session. You and your tween are welcome to ask questions about privacy before sharing anything personal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my tween have to explain everything that has been going on in detail?

No. Your tween does not have to describe everything, or anything in particular, before they feel ready. The therapist follows their pace. Sessions can focus on what is happening now, such as a hard week at school or a tense moment at home, rather than going over every detail. Therapists may also use drawing, games, or other activities while a tween gets comfortable.

The same goes for caregivers. You can share what feels relevant and add more over time.

Will I know what my tween talks about in sessions?

That depends on what you, your tween, and the therapist agree to at the start. At the first appointment, the therapist explains what will stay private, what may be shared with caregivers, and when confidentiality cannot be kept. Some families agree that caregivers receive general updates on goals and progress while the details stay between the tween and therapist.

Confidentiality has legal limits, including risk of serious harm, suspected child abuse or neglect, and court orders. The confidentiality and privacy section explains these in more detail.

How many sessions will my tween need?

There is no set number. It depends on what brought you in, your tween's goals, what is happening at home and at school, and how the fit with the therapist feels. Some families come for a shorter stretch of focused support, while others continue over a longer period. Your therapist will review progress with you and your tween regularly, and the plan can change.

What if the therapist is not the right fit for my tween?

Fit matters, especially at this age. A tween who does not connect with their therapist may find it harder to open up. If the match does not feel right, you can tell the therapist or the admin team, and they can help you find a different clinician. You are not locked in after one appointment. New clients may access their first session at 50% off to help find the right therapeutic fit.

Can my tween have counselling sessions online?

Yes. Virtual sessions are available to clients across Alberta, depending on clinician availability, and the same confidentiality standards apply. A private room where your tween cannot be overheard, headphones if possible, and a steady internet connection all help. Some tweens prefer virtual sessions, while others find it easier to talk in person. You can decide together and change formats later where availability allows.

Does my tween need a diagnosis to start counselling?

No. Counselling can be considered for a range of concerns, transitions, questions, and family goals, not only a diagnosed condition. This counselling service does not include a psychological assessment or diagnosis. If you are looking for a formal assessment, that is a separate service described on our child and youth assessment services page.

What if my tween does not want to go?

It is understandable for a tween to feel unsure about meeting a new adult and talking about personal things. It can help to describe counselling in plain terms: a person whose job is to listen and help with hard stuff, not someone who decides they are in trouble. Some families start with a joint first visit so the tween can meet the therapist with a caregiver in the room.

Our page on preparing children for therapy has ideas for that conversation. If your tween stays reluctant, the therapist can talk with you about options, including support for caregivers in the meantime.

What if my tween is not safe at home?

If a tween is in immediate danger, call 911. For information and support about family violence, the Family Violence Info Line (Alberta) is available at 310-1818 (24/7, toll-free). Counselling is not a crisis service and cannot make a home safe on its own.

If a therapist learns that a child may be experiencing abuse or neglect, Alberta law requires them to report it, as described in the confidentiality section. If you are a tween reading this and you do not feel safe, you can call 911 or tell a trusted adult, such as a teacher or school counsellor. Our family violence counselling page has more information for families.

Meet Your Clinicians

Wholesome Psychology's team includes several types of clinicians. Each works within the scope of their own registration and training:

• Registered Psychologists, including senior psychologists who practise as specialists. All psychologists at the clinic are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists.
• Registered Provisional Psychologists, who practise under the supervision of a senior registered psychologist.
• Registered Social Workers.
• Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCCs).
• Mental Health Therapists.
• Student Therapists, who are master's-level practicum students working under clinical supervision.

Clinicians bring different training and areas of focus, so it is worth looking for someone who works with tweens and families. Profiles on Our Therapists describe each clinician's background and approach. The Match with a Therapist tool can help narrow your options, and the admin team at 780-904-4880 can guide you if you are unsure where to start.

Support for Children and Youth at Different Ages

Wholesome Psychology offers counselling for children, tweens, adolescents, and young people. Therapists who work with younger clients adapt their approach to the child's age and stage. That can mean using activities, drawing, or shorter conversations alongside talking.

Clinicians also work with caregivers, since home is where much of a tween's week happens. That might include helping caregivers understand the counselling plan, sharing ideas for supporting the tween day to day, or meeting with caregivers on their own when that fits the plan.

If your child is younger, see mental health counselling for children ages 6 to 9. For older youth, see teen therapy for youth 13 to 15. Our child and youth mental health page gives a broader overview, and families dealing with peer conflict may find our bullying therapy page useful.

Taking a Next Step

If you would like to learn more or talk through whether counselling fits your tween, you can:

• Book a session online
• Match with a therapist who works with your tween's age group
• Call the admin team at 780-904-4880
• Email info@wholesomepsychology.ca
• Read Getting Started with Therapy to see how the process works

Counselling is not a crisis service. If anyone's safety is at risk, please use the crisis resources above.

Starting the conversation is enough.

New clients may access their first session at 50% off to help find the right therapeutic fit.

References

• Canadian Mental Health Association. (2017). Children, youth and anxiety [Brochure].
• Canadian Psychological Association. (2021). Bullying and children [Fact sheet].
• Government of Canada. (n.d.). Preventing suicide: When and how to help. Retrieved October 9, 2026, from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/suicide-prevention/warning-signs.html
• Statistics Canada. (n.d.). 2023 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth: Changes in the mental health of respondents from the 2019 survey. The Daily.
• The tween years: A systematic literature review for services for children aged 10–13 years. (n.d.). Heliyon.
• World Health Organization. (n.d.). ICD-11 for mortality and morbidity statistics.