For mental health professionals: What teens want you to know about their social media use + what to say.
Disclaimer: This newsletter provides general advice for educational and entertainment purposes only, it is not intended to be professional therapeutic or medical advice. Please speak with a registered mental health professional or book a session here to receive professional support.
Hey - This blog post is from my professional newsletter.
The Professional Cocoon is for fellow professionals working with young people, every fortnight I share my latest tips and insights for you to use in your practice with young people this week.
Last week I took a day off in the name of self care to go to a sauna on an old navy boat in the harbour (niche) and I have to tell ya..
After 4 hours without my phone, I was clear, more curious, more creative and calm.
I could genuinely feel my personality, gratitude and kindness for myself and everyone else rising.
I took that experience into my sessions with young people this week, thinking..
”who could they be, how could they feel and what awesome things could they do if we removed the tech?!?!”
For the last 8 years, i’ve kept various journals and word docs full of reflections (de-identified of course) from teens that are so valuable i want to tattoo to my forehead to make me the best counsellor I can be for them.
This is the one that sticks with me.
And it’s about social media, from a teens mouth - not from an “expert” on breakfast TV who wants to ban everything.
Straight from my prep notes built over years of counselling teens and families…
They said..
“Social media is an issue, but banning it makes me so isolated.
I need help managing it, not to be shamed and in trouble and made to feel like i’m just another bad kid who doesn’t understand”.
We hear it alllll the time..
“Social media is destroying this generation.”
But when you actually ask teens themselves, the story is more complicated.
And more unique to them and their experiences.
Social media has undoubtedly increased insecurities, anxiety and depression rates in our teens more than any generation before.
After seeing the direct impact of unsupervised social media use from kids as young as 7, I’m really supportive of the new age limits on social media mandated by the Australian government this year.
But when it comes to teens?
As therapists we need a different approach.
As helping professionals (+ parents, teachers or any supporters of young people!), we have to hold two things at once to actually support them with this stuff, not drive them into sneaking around and not telling us or being able to cope with the emotional complexities that come with it.
Yep, social media brings real risks.
But what is also true, is that for teens, connection is everything.
We can’t treat social media like it’s just a “bad habit” they need to quit.
It’s DIRECTLY pressing on the pain points and needs that make up their developmental world as teens.
A space for identity, belonging, and even emotional regulation.
Curiosity, new friendships, new perspectives.
All GOOD things, when handled well.
The problem is, teens are constantly flooded with adult voices telling them how dangerous it is… but rarely are they given space to actually understand the risks for themselves and learn to process these issues in a safe environment.
That’s where we come in.
Instead of defaulting to fear where we shame and shut teens out, we need to take an informed, strong approach.
No rules, bans, or lectures.
Curiosity.
Meet them where they’re at developmentally.
Understand why it matters to them.
Understand that in 2025, it’s almost unavoidable (believe me, if they tell you or their parents they aren’t on there.. they are).
🔥 My hot tip?
Before jumping to education or solutions, explore the meaning and function of social media for your teen client.
Try this script..
“I know adults can come down hard on social media, and I get why that gets frustrating.
I’m more interested in understanding what it’s like for you.
What do you get out of it?
What’s hard about it?
Why do you like it? What are your favourite sites, apps, content creators?
What would it be like if we took it all away tomorrow? (insight into what needs are being met!)”
THEN you can co-create a plan that addresses safety without disconnection.
This builds their own intrinsic motivation rather than just another adult telling them what to do (doesn’t work short term and if it does… doesn’t work long term as they don’t have the skills to work things out for themselves in the future, as you’ve just skipped over it”.
Working with teens means navigating nuance.
They don’t need another adult telling them what’s wrong.
They need you. a trusted guide who can help them explore, process, and decide what’s right for them.
I’m going to dive into more of these specific issues and how to gently but firmly manage them in my upcoming webinar. But until then, I hope this gives you something real to take into your sessions this week.
💛
📚 My favourite resource to read about teen neuroscience (and to give to parents!)
One of my absolute go-to resources for understanding teen development and helping parents get on the same page is Dr. Dan Siegel’s work.
His explanations of the adolescent brain will make everything make so. much. more. sense.
Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain
👀 What to expect in June’s webinar.. 👀
Come on a journey to explore the 2025 world of teenagers, with..
Social Media and Gaming
97% of Aussie teens use social media platforms
53% of young Australians experience cyberbullying, with most going unreported to adults
Drug use, sexual activity and
illegal behaviours
20% teens between 14-17 have used an illicit drug,
Just under half of year 10 to 12 students have had sex
Increasing mental health issues + decreasing connection to family, friends and communities
More than a third of young Australians experienced mental health disorder in past 12 months post covid
Mental health problems among young people have increased by almost 50% in last 15 years, exacerbated by online accessibility and lowered socialisation
How can we support our adolescents amid social media, bullying, and risk taking in 2025, when we grew up in such a different world?
Modern adolescent work requires a balance that most of us were never taught in our degrees…
Nuance. Attunement. Emotional safety.
But also structure. Boundaries. Legal clarity.
A balance that shifts every year as new trends, apps, and risks emerge.
In this 3-hour live webinar, you’ll get the tools, scripts, and modern insight you need to confidently support teen clients in 2025 - without sacrificing ethics, safety, or connection.
You’ll leave with:
✅ Up-to-date research, real teen testimony
✅ Practical skills to navigate social media, drugs, sex & disclosures
✅ Scripted support for hard convos with teens, parents, schools
✅ Legal frameworks that keep you and your young people safe and confident
✅ Clear tools to balance being a safe adult and a guiding adult
This isn’t another PD workshop that is just theory you write down and never look at again. it’s real, practical guidance for what’s happening in rooms like yours right now.
Spots are limited and sign-ups close June 26 (or sooner if sold out).
Save your spot now! ⚡
I’m Ellie.
Bachelor of Arts (Psych.), Master of Counselling
I am a specialist in adolescent therapy, after specialising in both my degrees, clinical placements and further training in adolescent, youth and family therapy. I run Professional Development trainings and workshops for fellow therapists working with teen counselling.
I specialise in Youth Trauma and Grief, with comprehensive additional training in family therapy, child and adolescent counselling, supervised by Sydney's leading family and child therapists and organisations.
I now run an online practice where I see clients, create content and workshops, as well as educate fellow professionals in adolescent counselling through professional development trainings and lecturing in adult tertiary education.
Have a qu or want to chat? I’d love to connect!
Connect on linkedin or send me an email
