Child and Adolescent Counseling
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Are you concerned for your child because they are having difficulty at home, in school or with friends? Perhaps you have tried talking to him or her and it just has not seemed to help? Reflections Counseling Center provides individualized counseling to meet the needs of troubled young people who are experiencing emotional, academic, psychological, family, vocational or social distress. 
Kids, as well as adults, can be affected by emotional strains that need to be resolved through psychotherapy. Depression, low self-esteem, poor school performance, eating disorders, social isolation and shyness, bullying, sexual maltreatment, substance abuse -- these are some of the problems that young people struggle with today. We offer individual and family therapy / counseling for children and adolescents presenting with a variety of mental health issues.
- School Problems
- Bullying
- Academic performance
- Behavioral problems
- Addictions
- Adjustment and coping problems
- Attention deficit disorder
- Hyperactivity
- Learning disorders
- Low self-esteem
- Eating disorders
- Depression and Anxiety
- Suicidal thoughts
- Child Abuse
- Anger management
- Divorce and Step Family adjustment
- Vocational adjustments
- Parent child conflicts
- Grief
When not attended to, these issues can have a disruptive impact on your child’s well being and ability to get along in daily life. We can help your child to work through and resolve these difficulties so that he or she can get back on track.
WHAT DOES THERAPY LOOK LIKE
At Reflections Counseling we believe that the most important person in your child’s life is you! That is why our first meetings are with the parents so that we may better understand the difficulties that your child is facing. We will learn what is happening in your child’s life at home and at school and determine how we can best be of help.
Once treatment begins, parents remain involved, giving us feedback and sharing how your child is doing at school and at home. Psychotherapy is often used in combination with other treatments (medication, behavior management, or work with the school).
During sessions we will sit with your child to sort out feelings or problems they may be struggling with. The relationship that develops between the therapist and the patient is very important. The child or adolescent must feel comfortable, safe and understood. This type of trusting environment makes it much easier for the child to express their thoughts and feelings and to use the therapy in a useful way.
During therapy, children and adolescents receive emotional support, resolve conflicts with people, understand feelings and problems, and try out new solutions to old problems. Goals for therapy may be specific (change in behavior, improved relations with friends), or more general (less anxiety, better self-esteem).
Sometimes parents and families worry if they might be to blame for their child's problems. They think, "Why me? Why my child?" Having those feelings and worries is normal and is a sign of caring. Many different things can cause the problems, but all disorders are treatable. Many problems can be solved and symptoms can almost always be decreased.
The length of psychotherapy depends on how complex and severe the problems are. Some children and adolescents respond to short-term treatment (for example, up to 12 sessions). When the disorder lasts for a long time or is complicated, a longer term of treatment may be needed.
Child and Adolescent Counseling will assist parents developing positive parenting skills that will help improve communication, increase cooperation, and motivate their children. When put into practice, these skills will assist your children in developing the necessary skills for successful living: forgiveness of others and themselves, sharing, delayed gratification, self-esteem, patience, persistence, respect for others and themselves, cooperation, compassion, confidence and the ability to be happy.
THE CHILD'S CONFIDENTIALITY
Parents often ask about confidentiality of the child. We are committed to protect confidentiality and also protect the integrity of the family. If something comes up that needs to be addressed with the parents it is usually done by the child in a family session. All counseling is confidential, meaning that if the client is 12 years of age or older, no information can be passed on to any other person without their written consent. The only exception to this is: child abuse or neglect must be reported. A counselor is required by state law to report all suspected or reported incidents of abuse or neglect, or if a client is thinking about suicide.
FAMILY THERAPY
It is well understood in the fields of psychology and counseling that individuals’ emotional or behavioral difficulties are often related to dynamics within their family relationships. Families are viewed as “systems,” with each family member playing certain roles in which they affect and are affected by the functioning of the entire system. An important concept in family therapy is the notion of balance, which counseling helps to create and foster. The concept of boundaries is also important, which refers to the closeness or distance between family members, as well as hierarchies and subsystems within the family. Our therapists are adept at evaluating the structure of family systems and offering interventions to facilitate healthy and positive changes that benefit the emotional well-being of all family members. Clients and their families are often amazed at the extent to which an individual can make positive changes and overcome emotional or behavioral difficulties by examining and making changes within their family relationships and dynamics.
The information provided here is general in nature and should not substitute for the care and advice of a licensed health care provider.
IF YOU ARE CONCERNED FOR YOUR CHILD TAKE AIM TODAY! E-MAIL US FOR AN APPOINTMENT WE CAN HELP
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