Children's Counseling
Parenting is the easiest thing in the world to have an opinion about, but the hardest thing in the world to do" (Matt Walsh)
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You may feel at the end of the rope with your child or teenager, or you may just need some extra support in managing/dealing with your child. It may involve emotional or behavior issues, it may involve a rough transition that your family is currently going through, or it may involve issues that you thought you'd never face with your child. You feel overwhelmed and need to reach out for some support. It doesn't mean that you've failed as a parent, it simply means that you care.
My approach in working with children is first to build a relationship with them. That is certainly the most critical step in helping children/teens because without a relationship, there can be no positive influence. I try to build a relationship with adolescents by finding their "hook." What is the thing that really excites your child? What is that connection point? My job is to try to find that out in the most natural way so that your child can be comfortable with me. I also work alongside the parents and family. I always keep in mind that my role is a counselor is simply to be a mediator so that the family unit can be strengthened. I've worked with youth and families for close to 15 years now (10 of those years within a church context) and 5 of those years professionally as a counselor. I would say that one of my passions is working with children/teens--it is challenging but most gratifying because of the impact that positive relationships/counseling can have on a child's life trajectory. Within the DFW area, I've worked with at risk teens in South Dallas at Incarnation House, adolescents and kids (as young as 6-7 years old) within the Highland Park area and beyond, and also with children/teens in the East Coast and West Coast. A reason why I believe I'm an effective children's counselor is because of my own challenges I faced as a youth as well as encountering many different personalities/backgrounds of children/teens. I'd love to hear your story and walk alongside you in the very difficult journey of parenting. |
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