Are you feeling like you're losing control, overwhelmed or not sure what to do next with your adolescent?
Is your teen...
- Getting into trouble
- Arguing
- Hostile and/or exhibiting destructive behavior
- Defiant
- Using drugs and/or alcohol
- Obsessed with 'Gaming'/Computer
Are you concerned because your teen is...
- Down or detached
- Worrying unnecessarily
- Having difficulties socially, making friends, etc.
- Uncommunicative
- Being bullied
Don't go through this alone—Contact me and start getting support for yourself, your family and your teenager.
Support can help parents to...
- Build on their strengths
- Develop new and more effective ways to communicate
- Maintain clear boundaries and consequences for both inappropriate and appropriate behavior
- Define appropriate rules, roles and expectations for themselves and their teen
- Create more trust, mutual respect and understanding
Individual Teen Counseling—'the work'
My style is adaptive, easy-going and suited to the needs of your teen. In simple terms I have three goals:
- Create an environment of trust where your teen can talk freely
- Support and help your teen discover and consider new ways to think about, respond to, and cope with challenges
- Integrate our work with parents/family to facilitate positive lasting change
How I reach goals in therapy with teens
My experience has proven that being up front, accepting, honest, and real is the best way to build trust. I meet your adolescent where they are in the moment while being careful not to 'tell' them what to do or how to be. Confidentiality is critical to establish a safe place to express themselves freely. As a mentor and an advocate, I use gentle inquiry, encouraging teens to speak their truth and begin to address and unravel the complexities that riddle every adolescent's life.
My skill is in being able to intuitively 'drop into' their world, relating to them and seeing this world through their eyes. This helps to gain insight and, using what they already know, allows me to gently guide them into considering new ideas and different ways of responding to the environment. Together we navigate their world and bring concrete solution to problems in their life.
Your teen will gain confidence to experiment with these new ways of coping and responding. They will learn to bring more attention to their choices and the possible consequences of those choices. Progress can't be forced, but I look for teachable or approachable moments, and use their own narrative to create fundamental change. In this way they are making they own decisions and changes to their lives.
My experience shows that our work brings confidence and clarity to your teens self-identity, talents, future goals and aspirations.
I believe an adolescent's parents are the key to creating sustainable change. Therefore, though I will protect your child's confidentiality throughout the counseling process, I will also communicate with you about themes in treatment and interventions that were effective in allowing your child to move through difficulties. Further, I communicate with your teen when and what we discuss and will always encourage your child to communicate with you directly whenever possible.
Lets get started.
I would be happy to discuss your situation and how I can help.
I can be reached at 510.409.0994 or email douglascarney@comcast.net