Moms and Dads: if you have a teen you are worried about you may consider counseling.
It is scary when you find out your kid is thinking about death or you discover they are experimenting with drugs or alcohol. For many teens, things don't feel that bad but you're worried your teen is not themselves lately and they won't say why. Talking to a professional counselor can help.
More and more teens are asking for counseling and parents are finding that having a professional counselor, a person outside of the family can really help. A well trained counselor is not your teen's friend or simply a listening ear.
A good counselor can open up a professional helping relationship with your teen to help your teen talk about things they may not share or face openly with a parent, coach, or friend.
Parents may worry about any number of the following situations. I am experienced in helping your teen with any of the following concerns:
Experiencing dark thoughts or not being sure they want to live
Needs ongoing outpatient therapy after recently completed hospital treatment for suicidal thoughts/behaviors
Your teen won't talk or share feelings and thoughts but you know they are suffering
Feeling insecure and lacking confidence
Experimented with drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or vaping for the first time
Don't seem to care or lack motivation
Seem addicted to screens, video games, or social media
Isolating themselves and struggle to make friends or join social activities
Drinking with friends or alone, possibly struggling with addiction or reckless behavior
Worrisome signs of acting out- poor grades, aggression toward parents or friends, rebelling against parents' rules
Experiencing a family transition, parental divorce or remarriage
Grieving an unexpected loss of a beloved family member or dear friend
Struggling with friendships or healthy social relationships
Stress from launching from high school to college or work life, or from college into the professional world.
Stuck in college or early adulthood without direction or motivation for life beyond this time
Need a trusted adult to talk to that is not their parents
It is normal for teens to struggle with any of these concerns. Life can get better for your teen.
I will help your teen gain insight and awareness into their thoughts, feelings, behaviors and relationships. From this awareness, teens start to make changes.
Teens often report to their parents that they find me easy to talk to. Parents often report they see their teens mood, attitudes, and behaviors improve. I've had success with teens, especially boys, who do not want to talk or struggle to open up.