Children & Adolescent Counseling
Children and teenagers face many of the same issues adults do, the difference is they have fewer skills, and fewer life experiences, and fewer resources to help them cope. As parents, we realize it can be scary for us to see our children dealing with some of these issues.
Children and teenagers today face some unique challenges that can be overwhelming for parents to know what to do. Here at 70 West Counseling we will work with you and your child/teenager to understand the concerns and issues you are facing, what you have already done to address them, and come up with an action plan that will make navigating these important developmental years easier.
All children and teenagers are different. Some children want to talk about what is going on, while others prefer to play or draw. Our counselors will meet you and your child where you are at, working together to form a trusting relationship while meeting the needs of the child/teenager. They may leave a session in tears, or they may leave happy. They may need specific interventions, or they may needs a safe place to speak freely about their problems. Whatever the need of the child or teenager, 70 West counselors are equipped to handle whatever issues come up.
Each member of the family, from parents and step-parents to siblings plays an important role in your child’s life. During an initial session we will meet with you and your child/teenager to better understand your concerns. This will allow us to determine whether the problem is rooted at home or at school, and give us a better idea of if and how we can help. We encourage caregivers, and parents to be involved in the counseling process. As the parent/ care-giver you provide important information to us about how the child/teenager is doing in school and at home. Because of the importance of your involvement in your child’s therapy we may include sessions where you, the parent/caregiver are present, or even have sessions involving the whole family.
Common areas of struggle for children and adolescents that can be helped by therapy are:
ADHD
Anxiety
Body image and weight issues
Cutting and self-mutilation
Depression
Eating Disorders
Family/life transitions (marriage, divorce, blended family, new sibling, move, new school, adoption/foster care)
Relationship Concerns
Self-Esteem’
Suicidal Ideation
Identity issues
Teen Counseling
The transition from childhood to adulthood, better known as the teenage years, is a critical time in everyone’s life. This is when young adults begin to form their own unique identity that defines who they are. This stage is not only troublesome for teenagers but parents as well. Teens may begin to challenge parents and other adult authorities, which tests their boundaries but can fuel many arguments. Although it can be a trying time, it can also be amazing to watch your adolescent transition into a young adult.
There are numerous emotional strains affecting your teen that may sometimes result in the need for psychotherapy. Teens today face so much more pressure during their developmental stages than ever before. Issues like low self-esteem, depression, eating disorders and substance abuse need to be addressed, not ignored. Avoiding real problems can have an unhealthy impact on your teen’s ability to cope with daily life. 70 West Counseling offers the appropriate counseling your teen needs to work through the issues inhibiting them from living their lives to the fullest.
Some adolescents visit us to prevent things from happening, while some visit to solve current problems or to heal from past wounds. 70 West counselors are equipped to handle whatever issues come their way. Some of our visitors simply need a safe place to speak freely about their problems, while others may require an intervention.
Common areas that Adolescent Therapy can help fix:
Behavior problems
School problems
Teenage discipline problems
Teenage depression
Anxiety
Anger, Fighting, Defiance
Lack of respect
Power struggles
Eating disorder issues
Sleeping problems
Substance use/abuse
Sexual issues
Social skills issues
Relationship issues
Family issues
Sibling issues
Coping with parent’s divorce
Coping with a move or a loss
Coping with a death
Stepparent issues
Multiple home issues
Blending family issues
Coping with childhood trauma
Coping with abuse issues
Coping with illness
Lack of ambition in life
Coping skills problems
Dissatisfaction with life
With the belief that the most important person in your teen’s life is you, we first schedule a meeting with the parents or caregivers. This allows our therapists to get a better understanding of the difficulties your teen is facing. Discovering the root of the problem, whether it is at home or school, will best help us to determine how we can help.
Parental involvement will be consistent throughout the adolescent’s treatment. You will relay important information about how you believe your son or daughter is progressing at home and school throughout the therapy sessions. During your time with the counselor he or she may offer your advice on how to effectively help your teen at home. This time also presents a great opportunity to address any parenting questions you may have.