CHILD AND ADOLESCENT COUNSELING

OVERVIEW

We believe counseling can be very beneficial to children and teens.  Counseling can help them identify areas of stress or frustration as well as recognize and utilize areas of strength.  We can help provide coping skills to help children and adolescent achieve emotional and mental health.  

It will be important for family, especially parents, to have some involvement in a child or adolescent's treatment. Depending on what is going on, counseling may focus on meeting with the individual, or primarily with the child and parents, or it may be most helpful to primarily meet with parents.

COMMON ISSUES

• ADHD

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Suicidal Thoughts

• Academic Problems Related to Behavior or Learning Problems

• Attention and Learning Issues

• Mood Disorders

• Parenting Difficulties and Skill Building

• Social Skills

• Relationship Issues

• Behavioral Problems

• Family Issues

• School Issues

• Bullying

• Autism Spectrum Disorder, Level 1 or High-functioning Autism

WHAT TO EXPECT

Expect counseling to meet your specific needs by being open to assessing and treating whomever is necessary. Early on and throughout treatment, parents will be involved. It is also often fruitful to involve school teachers or supporters. 

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Assessment Phase:

During the first two to three sessions we typically meet with parents or caregivers alone, then with the child/adolescent, and with the adolescent alone. In some cases, we may complete a family observation. Parents and children will likely complete assessment measures, and it may help for us to connect with your doctor, psychiatrist, or others involved in caring for you.

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Treatment Phase:

Typical treatment lasts around 20 sessions (but this varies greatly!) and will be tailored to your specific needs. With the realities of scheduling with school, summer, and activities, we will discuss how to balance meeting your mental health goals with the other things going on in your life. We will use evidence-based practices, but the most important thing to us is that you feel safe and open to work on what you need to address. 

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Maintenance Phase:

After you have met your goals, it may be important to check-in from time to time. As children grow up, it is often helpful to check back in as they hit different development milestones. Many adolescents find it helpful to have a safe place to return to throughout middle school and high school as different things come up. Many people do not come back for more treatment while there are also many families who come back as their children grow up.