If your teenager has gone quiet, snaps at everyone, or seems to be carrying something heavy, you are not alone in wondering what to do. "My child doesn't listen to me" is one of the most common things parents say when they first look for help. Counselling gives your teen a trusted adult outside the family to talk to, and often gives you some support too.
Leshya is not emergency care. If your child may be in danger, see the last section of this guide for helplines.
Counsellors who help with student stress
See fees and open times. Book when you feel ready.
Jemishi Mehta
Counselling Psychologist1 yrsChennai, IndiaOnline sessions on video call
Expertise
Languages
HindiEnglishGujaratiEarliest slot: Tomorrow, 3:00 pm
from ₹1,000 / session
Book a session
Maitry Parekh
Counsellor, ABA therapist3 yrsOnline sessions on video call
Expertise
Languages
HindiEnglishGujaratiEarliest slot: 13 Nov, 9:00 am
from ₹1,000 / session
Book a session
Shivangi Mehrotra
Counselling Psychologist1 yrsOnline sessions on video call
Expertise
Languages
EnglishHindiEarliest slot: Tomorrow, 6:00 pm
from ₹1,000 / session
Book a sessionSigns counselling may help your teen
Every teenager has moods. What matters is a change that lasts a few weeks or gets in the way of daily life. Some signs to notice:
Sleeping or eating much more or less than usual, or seeming tired all the time.
Pulling away from friends, family or things they used to enjoy.
Exam stress that does not ease: panic before tests, giving up on studies, or saying they are "useless".
Anger, arguments or slammed doors becoming the only way you talk.
Worry about their body, friendships, online life, bullying, or questions about who they are.
A big change such as a move, a loss in the family, parents separating or a new school.
You do not need to be sure what is wrong before you reach out. A counsellor can help you both work that out.
Exam stress counselling
Board exams and entrance tests put real pressure on Indian teenagers, and that pressure often comes from many sides at once: school, coaching, relatives and their own hopes. A counsellor can help your teen understand the worry, plan their study time in a way that feels possible, and talk about what happens if things do not go to plan.
It also helps to notice what your teen hears at home. Asking "How are you feeling about it?" before "How many marks?" can make a quiet difference.
How to bring it up with your teenager
How you raise it often shapes whether they agree to go.
Pick a calm moment, such as a car ride or a walk, not the middle of a fight.
Make it about support, not punishment. "You seem to have a lot on your plate. Would it help to talk to someone who is not us?" lands better than "Something is wrong with you."
Give them a say. Look at a few counsellor profiles together and let them choose who feels right, or choose between online and in person.
Suggest one session to see how it feels, not a long commitment.
If they say no, keep the door open and try again later. You can also speak with a counsellor yourself about how to support them.
Will the counsellor tell me what my child says?
Teenagers open up when they trust that what they say stays private. Most counsellors who work with teens agree the rules with the young person and the parent at the start: what stays between them, and what may be shared.
Privacy has limits when there is risk. If a counsellor believes your child, or someone else, is at serious risk of harm, they may need to tell you or others so your child can be kept safe. Ask each counsellor to explain how they handle this before the first session, so nobody is surprised.
Do you need to attend the sessions?
It depends on the counsellor and on your teen. Many counsellors meet the parent briefly at the start, then see the teenager on their own, and sometimes invite the family together later. Some will suggest a few sessions for you as a parent too, especially when the main worry is "my child doesn't listen".
Ask the counsellor how they usually work with families. A clear answer is a good sign.
Online or in person?
Both can work well. Some teenagers find it easier to talk from their own room on a screen. Others focus better in a room with the counsellor.
For online sessions, make sure your teen has a private space where siblings and parents cannot overhear, and headphones if needed. On Leshya, online sessions happen on Google Meet or Microsoft Teams, and the link comes with the booking. Some counsellors also see people in person, and their profile shows where.
Choosing a counsellor who works with teenagers
Working with teenagers is its own skill, so look for it on the profile. On Leshya, counsellors can list "Teenagers" or "Exam stress" among their expertise, and say they work with "Teenagers (13 to 17)" under the ages they see. You can filter the directory by both.
Read how each counsellor works, in their own words, and check the languages they speak. Your teen may prefer a language they use with friends rather than the one used at home. Every counsellor shows their fee before you book, and a person reviews every counsellor profile before it goes live. It is fine to ask about their training with young people.
How booking works for a teenager on Leshya
Guest booking on Leshya is only for people who confirm they are 18 or older. If your child is under 18, a parent or guardian needs to consent before sessions are booked, so the booking page asks a parent or guardian to create an account with them. An 18 or 19 year old can book for themselves.
If your child may be at risk
Do not wait for a booking. If your child is in immediate danger, call 112, the national emergency number. CHILDLINE responds to calls on 1098 for a child in need of care and protection. If your teen, or you, are in distress, Tele MANAS, the national mental health helpline, is on 14416, free and all day.
If you're thinking about harming yourself, please talk to someone right now. Tele MANAS is free, confidential and always open: call 14416. You matter.
The counselors here can help with ongoing support, but right now a call is faster.
Common questions
There is no fixed age. Counsellors who work with young people often see children and teenagers. On Leshya, look for counsellors who say they work with "Teenagers (13 to 17)" or list "Teenagers" among their expertise.
