|
|
| CHILD/ADOLESCENT COUNSELING |
While childhood and adolescence are often seen by adults as "Happy Days," both children and teens face obstacles to their path as well. Like individual adults, these obstacles may be grouped into emotional, behavioral, psychological, and physical concerns. In addition to overcoming these obstacles, children and teens also have to deal with their social development as well. Although most youth (and their parents!) emerge safely from the storms of childhood and adolescence, some are not so fortunate. At Family Crisis Counseling, these five groups of obstacles are taken very seriously.
Emotionally and behaviorally, these years can be very stressful on both parents and offspring. Depression, anxiety, phobias, and ADHD are pervasive and often difficult to distinguish from normal "growing pains." Emotional upset can manifest itself in alcohol and substance abuse, self-harming and suicidal actions, eating disorders, and rebellion from parental expectations. The onset of puberty further complicates matters with the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. It is ironic that when children and teens most need love, they often act in a most unloving manner!
|
As they mature physically, further stresses come about when youth compare themselves to their peers. Issues of personal identity (both positive and negative), school problems, difficulties in coping with social expectations from others, and anger management make growing up hard on both parents and offspring. Peer groups become more important with age and the importance of social skills increases. Especially with adolescents, the normal progress into adulthood clashes with such societal factors as divorce, multiculturalism, and a mutual perception of the generation gap.
Similar to adults, assessment tools to understand strengths and needs are used with children and adolescents and psychothrapy aids in the overcoming of obstacles to growth and development. Dr. Garrison works actively with physicians, parents, clergy, school officials, the courts, and other social organizations to help young people regain their path.
|
|
|
|
|
