Katie Mead, Registered Psychotherapist

Katie Mead, Registered Psychotherapist Registered Psychotherapist supporting teens, their families and individuals of all ages.

Part 2: Why Teen Brains Are Especially Vulnerable to Digital OverloadIf technology feels harder for teens to manage than...
01/31/2026

Part 2: Why Teen Brains Are Especially Vulnerable to Digital Overload

If technology feels harder for teens to manage than it does for adults, it’s not a willpower issue.
It’s a brain development reality.

During adolescence, the parts of the brain responsible for emotion and reward develop faster than the systems that support impulse control, attention, and regulation. Digital platforms are designed to stimulate exactly what teen brains are most sensitive to.

This matters.

When tech struggles are framed as defiance or lack of discipline, we miss what teens actually need: developmentally informed support, external structure, and relationship-based guidance.

Blog #2 in our 5-part series explores why teen brains are especially vulnerable to digital overload, and how understanding neurodevelopment can change the way we support youth mental health.

👉 Read more here: https://www.countercurrenttherapy.com/post/part-2-why-teen-brains-are-especially-vulnerable-to-digital-overload

Because the goal isn’t control.
It’s capacity.

💬Stay connected & join our community: https://forms.gle/fASShdpNR3MPuYJS8

Who Am I, Really?Teens aren’t “losing themselves.” They’re figuring out who they are beyond roles, expectations, and pat...
01/29/2026

Who Am I, Really?

Teens aren’t “losing themselves.” They’re figuring out who they are beyond roles, expectations, and patterns learned to survive or belong. 💭

“Much of what we think of as personality is actually adaptation: smart strategies that once helped us feel safe, connected, or accepted.”

Identity struggles aren’t a flaw, they’re a sign of growth. Families can help by:
✨ Giving space without judgment
✨ Supporting through discomfort
✨ Celebrating exploration and belonging

“Discomfort isn’t a verdict. It’s information.”
“Identity isn’t about finding a label. It’s about loosening what no longer fits.”

Support your teen’s journey toward authentic self-discovery. 💛

Want practical ways to support your teen as they explore who they are? Check out the full blog: https://www.countercurrenttherapy.com/post/who-am-i-really-helping-teens-navigate-identity-and-growth

Stay connected & join our community: https://forms.gle/1XwDqcMnxhGbx4nb9

Teens aren’t just using technology: they’re growing up inside it.Screens and social media can impact mood, sleep, and se...
01/28/2026

Teens aren’t just using technology: they’re growing up inside it.

Screens and social media can impact mood, sleep, and self-esteem… but they can also provide connection, support, and community: especially for teens who feel isolated offline.

Our 5-part series dives into the real impact of technology on youth mental health: beyond fear and rules, and into understanding, guidance, and healthier digital habits.

Read more in our recent blog post: https://www.countercurrenttherapy.com/post/the-impact-of-technology-social-media-on-youth-mental-health

👀 Still thinking about leadership skills for your teen?This is your reminder that confidence, motivation, and resilience...
01/26/2026

👀 Still thinking about leadership skills for your teen?

This is your reminder that confidence, motivation, and resilience don’t just “show up”: they’re learned, practiced, and supported.

Level Up: Teen Leadership Bootcamp is a small-group, interactive experience designed to help teens:

➡️ Build real-world confidence (not just theory)
➡️ Strengthen decision-making and problem-solving skills
➡️ Learn how to navigate stress, school pressure, and transitions
➡️ Practice leadership in a supportive, peer-based environment

🧠 Developmental research is clear: teens grow best when they feel safe, challenged, and connected. That’s why this bootcamp is intentionally capped at 4–6 participants, so every teen is seen, supported, and engaged.

📅 Saturday, January 31, 2026
⏰ 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Toronto | Counter Current

Spots are limited, and once they’re filled, registration closes.

👉 Register here:
https://www.countercurrenttherapy.com/event-details/level-up-teen-leadership-bootcamp

Know a parent or teen who could benefit? Share this post or tag them below 👇

Why register your teen for this workshop?Many teens are capable and intelligent - and still struggle with confidence, mo...
01/23/2026

Why register your teen for this workshop?

Many teens are capable and intelligent - and still struggle with confidence, motivation, or knowing how to step forward. Leadership at this age isn’t about being loud or “in charge.” It’s about learning how to trust yourself, handle challenges, and stay engaged when things feel hard.

Level Up: Teen Leadership Bootcamp is a small-group, hands-on workshop designed to support teens as they build real-world confidence and resilience.

Who is it for?
✔ Teens navigating school pressure or transitions
✔ Teens who feel unsure, stuck, or lacking confidence
✔ Teens who want leadership skills (even if they don’t see themselves as leaders yet)

What will they learn?
✔ Decision-making and problem-solving skills
✔ How to manage stress and setbacks
✔ Confidence through action (not pressure)
✔ Communication, collaboration, and self-advocacy

Groups are intentionally small (4–6 teens) to create a safe, supportive space where real learning happens.

📅 Saturday, January 31, 2026
⏰ 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Toronto | Counter Current

👉 Register here:
https://www.countercurrenttherapy.com/event-details/level-up-teen-leadership-bootcamp

Spots are limited.

The opposite of fear isn’t courage: it’s trust.When our teens feel anxious or overwhelmed, it’s natural to want to prote...
01/20/2026

The opposite of fear isn’t courage: it’s trust.

When our teens feel anxious or overwhelmed, it’s natural to want to protect or fix things for them. But real growth comes from trusting themselves to face it, and from us trusting them to try.

We can support them by:
➡️Encouraging small steps
➡️ Normalizing mistakes
➡️ Holding space for big emotions
➡️ Showing calm presence and confidence

Fear isn’t the enemy. Overprotection is. With trust, patience, and support, our teens learn resilience and confidence that lasts.

Stay connected & join our community: https://forms.gle/RYZbNLYCYTuctupV6

🚀 Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders! 🌟We’re excited to share an incredible opportunity for teens looking to grow...
01/19/2026

🚀 Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders! 🌟

We’re excited to share an incredible opportunity for teens looking to grow their confidence, resilience, and real‑world leadership skills!

✨ Level Up: Teen Leadership Bootcamp
📅 Saturday, January 31, 2026
⏰ 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Counter Current Office | Toronto, ON
🔗 Learn more and register: https://www.countercurrenttherapy.com/event-details/level-up-teen-leadership-bootcamp

This interactive bootcamp is designed for small groups of 4–6 teens, giving participants a supportive space to build self‑motivation, independence, and real‑world resilience. Through hands‑on challenges and peer‑supported activities, teens will:

✅ Discover strategies to define their own success
✅ Navigate school and life transitions with confidence
✅ Strengthen problem‑solving and interpersonal skills
✅ Walk away with practical tools and a supportive community ready to tackle what’s next
countercurrent

Whether your teen is looking to step into leadership roles or simply wants to show up more confidently in life, this bootcamp offers valuable experiences that go beyond the classroom.

💬 Know a teen who would benefit? Share this post!

Insight doesn’t create change. Safety does.We often think teens just need to “understand better” to change their behavio...
01/18/2026

Insight doesn’t create change. Safety does.

We often think teens just need to “understand better” to change their behaviour. But science shows that knowing isn’t enough.

Adolescents’ brains are still developing and so emotions run high, and impulse control is still under construction. What really helps them grow? Feeling safe, seen, and supported.

Safety isn’t just about keeping them physically okay: it’s emotional. When teens feel understood and valued, they’re more willing to take risks, try new things, and practice change.

As parents, our role isn’t just advice or lectures. It’s creating the space where real growth can happen.

Stay connected & join our community: https://forms.gle/RYZbNLYCYTuctupV6

Trauma-informed therapy isn’t about fixing what’s broken. It’s about creating safety so healing can happen.Instead of as...
01/17/2026

Trauma-informed therapy isn’t about fixing what’s broken. It’s about creating safety so healing can happen.

Instead of asking “What’s wrong with you?”, we ask “What helped you survive?” Behaviours that might look like resistance, avoidance, or intensity often make sense as adaptations that once kept someone safe.

For teens, families, and adults, real change comes not from insight alone, but from feeling safe enough (in their bodies and in relationships) to explore, choose, and grow.

Safety isn’t the opposite of growth. It’s what makes growth possible.

Want to learn more? Check out our recent blog post: https://www.countercurrenttherapy.com/post/what-trauma-informed-therapy-really-means

How relational supervision strengthens your clients’ outcomes: and your confidence.✔️ Reflection sharpens clinical judgm...
01/16/2026

How relational supervision strengthens your clients’ outcomes: and your confidence.

✔️ Reflection sharpens clinical judgment
✔️ Collaborative discussion supports ethical, client-centred care
✔️ Supervisees feel more confident and connected to their work

Relational supervision creates space to slow down, think together, and grow with intention.

Curious how relational supervision can strengthen your practice? DM me or submit an application here: https://forms.gle/vZ8m3CvV9kzfGYPx9

“Logical” decisions are usually emotional ones, especially for teens.When a teen avoids school, shuts down, or makes cho...
01/16/2026

“Logical” decisions are usually emotional ones, especially for teens.

When a teen avoids school, shuts down, or makes choices that don’t “make sense,” our first instinct is to respond with logic.

But science shows it’s not about reasoning: it’s about emotion. Teens’ brains are wired to protect safety, reduce anxiety, and preserve autonomy.

What looks like poor judgment? Often it’s emotionally logical.

When we focus on connection and emotional safety first, better decisions naturally follow.

Stay connected & join our community: https://forms.gle/RYZbNLYCYTuctupV6

Healing works best when we support the whole system: not just the teen.When teens struggle with anxiety, mood, or motiva...
01/15/2026

Healing works best when we support the whole system: not just the teen.

When teens struggle with anxiety, mood, or motivation, we often focus only on strategies and goals. But research shows real change happens fastest when parents and the home environment are supported, regulated, and involved.

Teens regulate through relationships. When adults feel resourced, teens feel safer, and symptoms often soften before any “intervention” even begins.

Parent takeaway: Supporting your teen isn’t about fixing them. It’s about strengthening the environment they grow in.

Stay connected & join our community: https://forms.gle/RYZbNLYCYTuctupV6

Address

Toronto, ON

Opening Hours

Wednesday 11am - 8pm
Thursday 11am - 8pm
Friday 11am - 8pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+16476682567

Website

http://www.youtube.com/@rebeltherapypodcast

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