Child and adolescent therapy gives young people an opportunity to present there difficulties, as well as, their family challenges from their perspective. Children though usually do not choose to begin therapy; most often it is the parents, relatives, teachers, clergy that have identified a need for therapy. Often a child’s motivation and interest is created through the development of the therapeutic relationship: rapport, trust, and safety are crucial, necessary elements for progress, growth, and healing. The challenge is engaging children so that therapy is not boring, uncomfortable chore, but rather, can become a place of comfort and acceptance; or, a place where exciting and vital adventures in self-discovery take place. I show a genuine affection and respect for the individuality of each child, and an appreciation for challenges every family faces.

Common issues focused on in child and adolescents therapy are:

• Managing anxiety and depression
• Enhancing educational performance and motivation
• Improving anger management and frustration
• Dealing with social pressure and joining healthy peer groups
• Improving judgment and making healthy choices
• Developing positive coping skills
• Effective ways of handling peer pressure
• Improving positive and clear communication
• Improving compliance at home, school and in the community
• Developing a healthy and positive sense of sense of self

This is a list of signs that your child or teen might benefit from professional help:

• Decline in grades
• Feelings of hopelessness and despair
• Increasing conflicts at home or school
• Anxiety or social difficulties
• Change in sleeping habits
• Change in eating habits (also see eating disorders section of this page)