We “Get” Teens & Children
At Magnolia Family Counseling, we often have parents come to us because they are troubled or concerned by their child’s behavior. Often, these parents find that they are overwhelmed or frustrated because what they have tried before doesn’t seem to be helping.
Maybe you are troubled by what’s going on at school, or what’s going on with their friends. Or maybe your child isn’t progressing how you would like. Whatever your concern is, it can make a parent feel like they’re struggling on a daily basis.
Child Counseling (or Teen Counseling) can provide a way for kids to better deal with life’s challenges.
Have you noticed your child struggling in school or acting out?
Is your child having a hard time making friends or socializing with others?
Or has something happened recently that was significant or traumatic in their life?
Most parents come to Magnolia Family Counseling because they are trying to help their child and looking for solutions. They come because they want to learn to what’s normal, and what might be less typical.
Our counselors at Magnolia Family Counseling are here to help guide both parents and their children on that journey. We understand that our childhood years can be a challenging time in life, for both kids and parents alike. This is a time when your child is still figuring out their emotions, still figuring out who they are, what they like and what they dislike. It can be quite a confusing time.
If you are looking for a way to get your child back on track, child and teen counseling is likely the solution you are looking for.
We offer counseling to clients who are:
- children
- teens
- adolescents
We also provide counseling to parents, those dealing with a specific issue, or those just looking for answers but unsure of the reasons why.
Child counseling can be a short term process, where it may only take a few sessions to get your child back on track. Or child counseling can last for several months, in cases with deeper underlying issues. These counseling sessions can occur via 50 minute sessions anywhere from weekly to 2-4 times per month depending on your child’s schedule.
A sign that counseling may be needed could be any of the following:
changes in appearance, hygiene, or weight
changes in sleep or eating patterns
withdrawal from family and friends
withdrawal from enjoyable activities
low self worth
self harming behaviors
comments about hopelessness or death
What benefits can we expect from teen and child counseling?
Counseling can bring with it a number of benefits:
Happier Disposition
better behaved
more enjoyment in life
better self esteem
better coping skills
more outgoing and active
excelling in life
healed relationships
better conflict resolution
Counseling Can Help.
Don’t take just our word for it. Know some of the numbers:
- 75%-80% of Children & Youth in Need of Mental Health Services Don’t Receive Them 75%
- 1 of Every 33 Children Experience Depression 33%
- 21% of Children in the US Suffer from Mild Behavorial Health Problems 21%
- One in Eight Children are Affected by an Anxiety Disorder 12.5%
- 1 of Every 8 Adolescents Have Experienced Clinical Depression 12.5%
- Nearly One in Eight Children Have Had 3 or More Negative Life Experiences Associated With Harmful Levels of Stress. 12%
- 10.6% of Louisiana Children Received Mental Healthcare / Counseling in 2016 10.6%
[1] Statistics from DBSA, National Institute of Health, and Center for Mental Health Services, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Is counseling expensive? What are the session rates?
Counseling session rates can vary quite a bit depending on the type of clinical setting, the number and types of degrees completed by your therapist, the experience level of your therapist, the specialty of the therapy you are seeking, and whether you are using insurance or self-pay rates. The region in which you live can also play a role in the pay rate. We have an entire page dedicated to Fees and Insurance for more details specific to Magnolia Family Counseling.
My child has been to counseling before and nothing changed. Why should this time be different?
Sometimes it’s as simple as finding the counselor that is the right fit for your child. Though counselors are often taught the same information and skills, counseling styles can vary greatly depending on their theoretical base and personality. Things can also be different this time because your child is different. We are ever evolving and thus your child may be in a different place in their life now versus the last time they’ve been to counseling.
What happens if I want my teen/child to begin counseling but my child doesn’t?
If your child is hesitant or refusing to come to therapy, I typically suggest parents make a deal with their kid. Ask that they give it a try by attending 1 or 2 sessions and if they hate it, they don’t have to go back. They are likely just apprehensive because they don’t know what to expect. It’s rare that they refuse to go back after giving it a chance.
Will I be involved in my child's therapy? Will you tell me what happens in my teen/child's session?
Assuming your child is a minor, you have the right to know what occurs in session, any diagnosis given, and your child’s treatment plan. Depending on the issues being addressed, your child’s age, and their comfort level, the degree of parental involvement may vary. Typically the younger the child, the more the parent will be involved. The therapist may ask that some degree of confidentiality be maintained, particularly if your child is a teen. They may be more likely to open up if they know the therapist isn’t relaying to their parents everything they have shared in session. However, the therapist will keep parents/guardians privy to any important or concerning information shared.
Does needing counseling mean I've failed as a parent?
Absolutely not. There are many reasons your child may benefit from counseling. Just as with adults, there may be an underlying mental health or behavioral issue that needs to be addressed by a professional. Sometimes children just need someone outside of their world to talk to about whatever they are going through. And even if there is a need to work on your parenting style, that does not mean you have failed as a parent. As they say, children are not born with manuals. Professionals are here to help educate and teach effective and healthy parenting techniques.
My teen wants to go to counseling, but the idea of counseling makes me nervous.
If you have any apprehension about sending your child to counseling, I suggest arranging a phone consultation so the counselor can address any specific questions or concerns you may have.
Child and Teen Counselors
Bracely Williams, LMFT, LPC
