Adolescents
Adolescence is a time of great change to say the least. This period of life can be challenging for the family as well as for the adolescent. In my practice I try to combine compassion and patience with a direction that is firmly grounded in keeping the adolescent safe and moving forward. While I do maintain confidentiality with my teenage clients except when there is danger, I also work closely with parents who need guidance. I have a strong belief that pre-teens and teenagers are creative and full of life. I strive to help them reach their full potential.
Some reasons you might seek therapy for your adolescent:
- They have asked to talk to someone about their worries, fears or behaviors
- They have exhibited signs of worry about social situations or grades beyond what feels “normal”
- They have lost interest in activities and are isolating themselves from family and friends
- There has been a family or social event that has been difficult for them to process and recover from
- They are acting out in ways that are dangerous or confusing and you or they feel unsafe
Family
My early training was in Family Systems Theory. I worked in residential facilities with various populations and not surprisingly found that many of the problems that seemed to stem from one member of the family actually were related to the family as a whole. Families develop their own culture and find their own rhythms and patterns. Some of these patterns are healthy and some are not.
In my practice I often bring in whole families or subsets of families so that we can explore the patterns and dynamics that are problematic. Together we will explore both past and present so that your family can be a place of connection, support and joy.
Some reasons you might seek family therapy:
- You are having a hard time communicating with one or more members of your family
- You have a child that is acting out and you aren’t sure what to try next
- You have a household where there is chaos or conflict beyond what feels “normal”
- You would like to better understand your child or children as they move through their normal developmental stages