Brock Counselling

Parent & Teen Conflict

Understanding Parent & Teen Conflict

What is parent & teen conflict, and when does it become a concern?

Some tension between parents and teens is a normal part of adolescence, as teens push for independence and parents try to keep them safe and supported. Parent & teen conflict counselling is for families where that everyday friction has become a pattern of arguing, shutting down, or feeling like you and your teen are constantly at odds.

It becomes a bigger concern when conflict is frequent or intense, when communication has broken down into silence or shouting, or when you feel like you no longer know how to reach your teen — or they feel like you don’t understand them. This can be especially difficult when it touches on screen time, school, friendships, identity, or a teen’s growing need for privacy and autonomy.

At Brock Counselling, we work with both the parent-teen relationship and each individual’s experience, helping families move out of the same repeated arguments and back toward mutual understanding, respect, and connection. 

Recognizing the Signs

Common signs of parent & teen conflict

Conflict shows up differently in every family, but these are some of the patterns parents and teens often notice.

Emotional & Relational

Practical & Behavioural

Our Approach

How we support your family

Our therapists use evidence-based, family-centred approaches, because every parent-teen relationship needs a path back to connection.

Understand the Root

Therapy begins by carefully exploring each person's perspective — what's driving the conflict for your teen, and what's driving it for you — rather than assigning blame. Conflict is often the surface symptom of an underlying issue.

Build Communication Tools

Together, we help you and your teen develop practical tools for deescalating arguments, empathizing with the other's thoughts and feelings, expressing needs clearly, and negotiating boundaries in a way that respects both independence, safety and family values.

Rebuild Connection

As communication improves, we help your family strengthen trust and connection, so conflict becomes easier to navigate as new challenges come up through the teen and young adult years.

Treatment Approaches

How we work with parent & teen conflict

Our therapists draw on a range of evidence-based modalities, selecting and blending approaches based on what will work best for your family.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Identifying the thought patterns — on both sides — that fuel repeated arguments, and building more constructive ways to respond in the moment.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Skills

Teaching emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills that help both parents and teens stay calmer during high-conflict moments.

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)

Rebuilding emotional connection and trust between parent and teen, and helping each person feel heard by the other.

Family Systems Therapy

Looking at conflict as a pattern within the whole family system, not just a "problem" with the teen, to create change that lasts.

Psychoeducation & Skills Training

Understanding adolescent development and communication styles, and building negotiation and boundary-setting skills suited to your family.

Sessions are offered in-person, virtually, or by phone, and may include individual sessions with your teen, with you, or joint family sessions depending on what’s most helpful.

Sessions are offered in-person, virtually, or by phone.
Photo of Therapy room at Brock Counselling
The Process

What to expect when you reach out

Starting therapy can feel like a big step. You’re right – it is! Here’s how the process works at Brock Counselling, so you know exactly what to expect.

1

Understand the Conflict

We start by exploring the specific patterns of conflict in your family, from both the parent and teen perspective, so we can address the root of the disconnection.

2

Your First Session

Your therapist will take time to understand your family's goals and the obstacles you're facing. Sessions can involve the teen, the parent(s), or both, depending on what would work best for your family's situation.

3

Ongoing Support

Sessions are typically 50-80 minutes, depending on the complexity of the conflict and disconnection. Sessions are scheduled at a frequency that works for your family. As circumstances change and improve, the plan adapts to your family’s evolving needs.

Not Sure Where to Start?

Choosing to reach out is the hardest part. Our team is here to answer your questions and help you find the right fit — no pressure, no commitment.

Ready When You Are

Book a Free Phone Consultation

Book a 15-minute phone consultation with one of our therapists. During this call, we’ll discuss your needs and goals and explore how our tailored approach can support your healing journey.

FAQs

How do I book an appointment?

There are many ways to book an appointment:

NEW CLIENTS: If you are a NEW client to Brock Counselling, please follow this link to send us a message: Contact Brock Counselling for Support and Therapy Services.

You can also book directly by e-mailing info@brockcounselling.ca or calling us at 905-320-2342.

EXISTING CLIENTS: If you are a CURRENT client, please use the Owl Portal link on the top right-hand side of the page. This will take you to the online booking platform: OWL, where you can book an appointment.

Alternatively, you can reach out to your therapist directly to book an appointment or contact info@brockcounselling.ca.

Therapy may be a good fit if:

  • You have a problem that is interfering with your daily life;
  • You have unresolved negative feelings that are affecting your work, home tasks, parenting, or relationships;
  • Your family doctor recommended that you speak with a social worker or psychotherapist;
  • You have been diagnosed with a mental health condition;
  • Your coping strategies are harmful to your health and well-being (drinking alcohol in excess, using drugs, disordered eating, isolation, ‘doom scrolling’); OR
  • You are looking for impartial feedback about your life and life choices.

People begin therapy for many different reasons. You do not have to have everything figured out before reaching out for support.

Therapy welcomes all individuals and requires no prior experience.

You do not need to bring or prepare anything for your first appointment – other than a willingness to participate and engage in the therapy process.

Your therapist will guide and support you through the first appointment. At the end of this appointment, your therapist will help you with setting goals and discussing what your hopes are for your therapy journey.

The primary differences between an RSW (Registered Social Worker) and a Psychologist are their education and the services they provide.

RSWs hold a Bachelor of Social Work or a Master of Social Work. This allows them to provide psychotherapy in Ontario.

Psychologists hold of Doctor of Psychology. While they can provide psychotherapy, most psychologists exclusively provide mental health assessments (i.e., Psychoeducational assessments, ADHD assessments, autism assessments).

It is best to speak directly with the professional about what services they provide.

Yes! Evening appointments are offered most nights of the week.

Weekend appointments are offered on Saturday morning and early afternoon.

Yes. What you share is confidential and your privacy is prioritized.

The information you share during a therapy session is protected by the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), ensuring a safe and trusting therapeutic relationships between you and your therapist.

If you chose to share information with your spouse, family, employer, or other individual, you would sign a written consent. You have the right to revoke this written consent at any time.

Short answer, no.

Services are not offered outside of Ontario.

Registered Social Workers and Registered Psychotherapists are governed by separate regulatory bodies.

The Ontario College of Social Workers restricts services to clients located in Ontario.

The College of Registered Psychotherapists also restricts services to clients located in Ontario.

Absolutely!

In fact, fit is very important as it reflects the compatibility between you and your therapist.

Research consistently supports that the relationship between a client and therapist is the single most predictor in therapy success – as opposed to treatment type used, number of sessions, and diagnosis.

It may be a good fit if: 

  • You feel comfortable opening up, especially about the hard or embarrassing stuff;
  • You feel heard, understood, and respected;
  • You feel comfortable with your therapist challenging you in healthy ways;
  • You genuinely want to attend sessions, even when what you’re talking about is difficult.

Yes, some insurance companies allow for direct billing. Please reach out to the practice directly at info@brockcounselling.ca to inquire if your insurance company is on the list of approvals.  

Contact

Get In Touch

We are here to answer your questions and help you begin your healing journey. Contact us via phone, email, or visit our office to get started.

Address

3344 Mainway, Burlington, ON, L7M 1A7

Phone

905-320-2342

Email

info@brockcounselling.ca