Child & Teen Counseling

Parenting is the hardest job in the world. You are responsible for a life and wellbeing of someone outside of your own. This other person has a mind of their own, their own personality, their own temperament, and are influenced by a variety of other factors in the world. It really can feel like it “takes a village” to manage the complexities of raising children, adolescents, and teens.

Many parents fear that coming to a therapist means they will be informed that they are bad parents. This is not the case. You are doing the best job you can or know how to do. My job is to establish with you and/ or your child what changes you are hoping to see and we will work towards these goals. Achieving this can mean helping parents understand and work with developmental changes and challenges better, developing a discipline or reward program that works for the child, changing how we communicate with one another, increasing your child’s self-esteem, self-worth, and self-awareness, or perhaps building a child’s resilience. Each person and family is unique and has their own challenges and strengths. It is my job to work with you and figure out what will work best for you and your family.

So what issues can a therapist help my child with?

Learning or Attention Problems

• Daydreaming
• Hyperactivity
• Boredom
• ADHD/ADD diagnosis
• Impulse control
• Forgetfulness
• Procrastination

Behavioral Problems

• Excessive anger
• Acting out
• Bedwetting (When not a health issue)
• Eating disorders
• Overly aggressive behavior (such as biting, kicking, or hitting)
• TV/ Electronics dependence
• Lying
• Defiance

School Problems

• A significant drop in grades, particularly if your child normally maintains high grades
• Excessive school absenteeism or tardiness
• Being the victim of bullying or bullying other children
• School peer-relational problems
• Talking back to the teacher
• Feeling ignored by teacher and/ or peers

Social Issues

• Social withdrawal or isolation
• Decreased interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Shyness
• Lack of friends or healthy friendships
• Social Skills

• Survival skills (e.g., listening, following directions, ignoring distractions, using nice or brave talk, rewarding yourself)
• Interpersonal skills (e.g., sharing, asking for permission, joining an activity, waiting your turn)
• Problem-solving skills (e.g., asking for help, apologizing, accepting consequences, deciding what to do)
• Conflict resolution skills (e.g., dealing with teasing, losing, accusations, being left out, peer pressure)
• Emotional Issues

• Episodes of sadness, tearfulness, or depression
• Mood swings (e.g., happy one minute, upset the next)
• Negative self-talking/ putting themselves down
• Thoughts of suicide or suicidal attempts
• Cutting (non-suicidal)
• Anxiety

Physical and Health Issues

• Sudden changes in appetite (particularly in adolescents)
• Eating disorder
• Signs of alcohol, drug, or other substance use (such as solvents or prescription drug abuse)
• Management of a serious, acute, or chronic illness
• Development of or an increase in physical complaints (such as headache, stomachache, or not feeling well) despite a normal physical exam by your doctor
• Insomnia or increased sleepiness

Other

• Problems in transitions (following separation, divorce, marriage, or relocation)
• Bereavement issues / Death of a love one
• Trauma including sexual, physical, or emotional abuse or other traumatic events