Counseling & Mental Health Services

Every situation is different as are the needs of each family. Therefore, this is something that we can discuss as we make a plan to work together. There are many times when it will be beneficial to work with your child individually, however, the work that is done in a therapy setting often needs to continue and be reinforced in other settings. Including an adult family member would be important to encourage this growth and change.

Sessions take place for 45 minutes with individuals and closer to an hour with groups of 2 or more including families. Initial sessions begin with rapport building as relationships are proven to be the most important agent of change. This occurs through activities, conversation, and play depending on the age and interest of the child, adolescent, and/or family unit. Goal setting is also important to get a clear understanding of what the client wants and is motivated to work towards.

Sometimes there are clear signs that indicate therapeutic services are warranted such as a child or adolescent engaging in dangerous behaviors towards themselves or others. Other times it can be less clear, but we know that intervening sooner rather than later can help decrease the severity of mental health issues. If you notice concerning changes in the behavior and emotions of your child, it may be a good time to consult with a therapist to determine if therapy is necessary. If you notice difficulties your child is having relating to their peers or getting along with others on a regular basis, this could be an indicator that your child could benefit from Mental Health Services.

Initially, due to the importance of relationship building, goal setting, and therapeutic work, it would be helpful to have weekly sessions. Once goals are achieved and positive change in behavior, emotions, and/or social interactions occurs, sessions could occur less frequently. This allows the opportunity to monitor the continued growth of the child, adolescent, and/or family unit.