Services for Children and Adolescents

Services for Children

CounselingWorks Play Room
The CounselingWorks play room is nine feet wide and
20 feet long… large enough for room to play, but
not so large as to be confusing or overwhelming.

Most young troubled children don't have the expressive vocabulary or the social/emotional skills to make much use of traditional psychotherapy. Instead, play therapy is used as a treatment method to capitalize on the child’s natural instinct to "play out" his reaction to overwhelming feelings and life events. We work primarily with children who exhibit behaviors associated with;

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Bipolar Disorder and/or Major Depression
Blended Family conflicts
History of trauma
Anxiety Disorders, including Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and separation anxiety

Here at CounselingWorks, play therapy sessions last either 30 or 50 minutes, depending upon the age of the child and his readiness to tolerate separation from his parent. During each session, he may draw a picture, pound clay, tell a story with puppets, build a fort, or play with a sand tray, among many other activities. Through symbolic play, the child develops a sense of mastery over upsetting events, thoughts and feelings, and his disruptive or disturbed behaviors gradually resolve.

The CounselingWorks play therapy room is equipped with a closed-circuit camera so the child’s therapy session can be observed outside the play room on a television monitor in real-time by the parent. Please note that the sessions are not recorded in any way, and the parent may view, but not hear, the session. Depending upon the age and presenting problems of the child, the opportunity for a parent to utilize the viewing station can be a useful feature which may help to minimize separation anxiety in both parent and child. Whether or not the sessions are observed, the parent of a child in therapy must expect to be an active participant in the process, since the therapist will want to meet regularly with the parent to learn what is happening in the child’s life and to share observations and behavioral suggestions. Children and their parents are provided with individualized treatment plans with clearly defined behavioral targets to help them stay on track toward their treatment goals.

 

Services for Adolescents

We work primarily with adolescents who exhibit behaviors associated with;

Major Depression and/or Bipolar Disorder
Authority issues
History of trauma
Blended family conflicts
Suicidal thoughts or attempts
Oppositionally defiant behavior
School phobia and social phobia
Anxiety Disorders, including Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and separation anxiety

We know the specific skills and strategies needed to help engage even resistant adolescents, so that they accept—even welcome— mental health counseling treatment. When teens feel safe in the counseling environment, they become willing to do the work necessary to improve their behavior… and their lives.

Adolescents typically want the same thing out of the counseling experience as adult clients, including respect, confidentiality, a non-judgmental environment, and practical help solving real-life problems. We know what parents want from their teen’s treatment, too: enough information to be well-informed about the child’s progress, and an alliance with the therapist so the parent feels as well supported throughout the counseling process as the teen. Just as in our Children’s Services program, we provide adolescents and their parents with individualized treatment plans with clearly defined behavioral targets to help them stay on track toward their treatment goals.

A Message to the Teen Coming to Counseling:

Usually, teens coming to counseling have problems in their lives that they haven't been able to resolve on their own. So, maybe you’re having problems getting along with authority figures at home or at school. Maybe you find yourself to be angry with others. Or maybe you’re sad a lot of the time, or feel worried or scared or alone.

A counselor can help you figure out why you’re feeling the way you do, and then help you find new ways of coping so you can DO better and FEEL better about your life.

Young Adults coming to counseling sometimes ask:

What if, after our first visit, I don't want to come back and talk to you again?

Parents are allowed to bring their teenager to my office "involuntarily" exactly one time: the very first visit. If, at the end of our hour together, you decide you don't want to come back and work with me, then I’ll thank you for your time and you’ll never have to talk to me again. I have a strict rule about only working with people who WANT help; otherwise we’re just wasting your parents’ money and each other’s time. My experience has shown that, when teens are treated respectfully and REALLY listened to, most are willing—even eager— to participate in counseling. You may find it can feel pretty good to have an adult ally, someone who is on your side.

Will you tell my parents everything I tell you?

Absolutely not. From time to time as we work together, I’ll give your parents general information about how you’re doing, so they can make informed decisions about your counseling treatment. Also, I’ll tell them if you tell me you’re injecting drugs or if, in my opinion, you’re a danger to yourself or others. Otherwise, the details of what you tell me remain private, between you and me. There may be times when I think it would be in your best interest for you to share certain information with them, and in that case, I’ll help you figure out how to talk to them in a way which feels safe and comfortable for you.