Counseling for Adolescents and Children

At our practice, we specialize in counseling for children and adolescents, recognizing the unique needs of each age group. Our team includes counselors who work with children as young as 3 years old and up to 18 years. We believe in the importance of parental involvement, understanding that you are the “tip of the spear” when it comes to your child’s emotional well-being. Our goal is to support you as we navigate your child’s counseling together. We appreciate that choosing to bring your child into a counseling environment requires significant trust and research.

• Interventions help aid in communication.
• We work to understand the needs of both.
• Parents work with us to overcome challenges.

Focusing on the Younger Ones.

Children aged 3 to 11 often describe their counseling sessions as “just playing,” and while that’s partly true, there’s so much more to it. Through play therapy, children guide the direction of their sessions, allowing for therapeutic interactions. For instance, a child who has recently experienced a car accident might play with a toy car and say, “CRASH! Now everyone is hurt!” Our counselors respond with empathy: “Wow, that sounds scary! It seems everyone is still alive. How do you think they feel now?” This approach helps validate the child’s emotional experience and encourages them to process their feelings constructively.

In some cases, we create structured play environments to facilitate specific therapeutic goals. By engaging with children through their play, we meet them where they are, ensuring effective communication and emotional processing.

Counseling for Adolescents (Ages 12-18).

Counseling for adolescents is quite similar to individual counseling but comes with its own unique challenges. Many teens are skeptical about therapy and often hesitate to attend sessions. We understand that some may wish to skip their appointments, saying things like, “I like you, but I don’t want to spend my time this way.” Our counselors, who consider themselves “children at heart,” strive to create a comfortable space for genuine conversation and growth.

Confidentiality and Parental Involvement.

Counseling older children and teens comes with complexities regarding confidentiality. For example, if your 14-year-old sees us, we are legally obligated to respect their wishes regarding their counseling information. We appreciate that these young individuals are part of your family, and we aim to strike a balance between respecting their privacy and assisting you. With younger children, we protect the sanctity of their sessions to honor their emotional development.

It’s critical to foster an environment where your child feels secure. If they perceive us as a surrogate parent who might “get them in trouble,” this can cause them to retreat. To address this, we encourage parents to meet with counselors once every four sessions. This allows for open dialogue without the child present, enabling parents to express concerns and receive important feedback.

Every child, parent, and situation is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to counseling. We genuinely believe that your involvement enhances your child’s progress in building better relationships—including the vital connection with you.