Counseling for Children and Adolescents

Children and adolescents often lack the learned skills needed to process emotional trauma through effective communication. As a result, they may act out behaviorally. Our approach is to work slowly with this age group, recognizing that building trust and developing a relationship are vital in creating a therapeutic relationship. We have found that one of the main factors in achieving a therapeutic relationship is meeting on their turf and participating in activities they enjoy. For many children and teens, working in an office may feel scary or uninviting. Working in an environment of their choice makes our work together seem more like a friendship and helps create more of a mentoring relationship. We often engage with the children and adolescents while walking on the commons, playing basketball, or playing on the playground.