Comments on: Teenagers and Therapy: How to Make it Work http://www.thekidcounselor.com/articles/teenagers-and-therapy-how-to-make-it-work Tampa Bay Child Therapist, Tampa Parenting Classes, Parenting Tips and Advice Mon, 14 May 2012 01:18:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: brenna http://www.thekidcounselor.com/articles/teenagers-and-therapy-how-to-make-it-work#comment-516 brenna Mon, 14 May 2012 01:18:08 +0000 http://www.thekidcounselor.com/articles/teenagers-and-therapy-how-to-make-it-work/#comment-516 I will send them to you via email. I will send them to you via email.

]]> By: E.F. http://www.thekidcounselor.com/articles/teenagers-and-therapy-how-to-make-it-work#comment-515 E.F. Fri, 11 May 2012 14:51:03 +0000 http://www.thekidcounselor.com/articles/teenagers-and-therapy-how-to-make-it-work/#comment-515 Hello Brenna, I am a new Therapist, who worked primarily with adults, but got a new job where I now work, primarily with children and teens, totally out of my comfort zone. My issue is I have a 16 year old male, who I see in the Foster Parents home, and he doesn't want to have therapy, he been through a lot - parents have drug dependencies. I've talked to him about what he wants out of life (solution-focus therapy), he did talk to me a little. I've talked to him about 'Positive Goals and Affirmations' - he listened but really didn't respond. Basically he is not responding to therapy. When I discussed with him why I'm there and how Therapy can help him, he let me know that he thinks it's stupid and he feels he controls his feelings by keeping everything in, and not letting it all out - by discussing it with me, someone he really doesn't know or trust. I told him that was fair and I understand why he would feel that way, but I do care and that I went to school to be able to help people, not hurt them. My question to you at this point, what types of things can I do with him to create a trust with him, so I can begin a successful therapy with him. Will the worksheets everyone is speaking of help? Any suggestions you have will be greatly appreciated. Hello Brenna,
I am a new Therapist, who worked primarily with adults, but got a new job where I now work, primarily with children and teens, totally out of my comfort zone. My issue is I have a 16 year old male, who I see in the Foster Parents home, and he doesn’t want to have therapy, he been through a lot – parents have drug dependencies. I’ve talked to him about what he wants out of life (solution-focus therapy), he did talk to me a little. I’ve talked to him about ‘Positive Goals and Affirmations’ – he listened but really didn’t respond. Basically he is not responding to therapy. When I discussed with him why I’m there and how Therapy can help him, he let me know that he thinks it’s stupid and he feels he controls his feelings by keeping everything in, and not letting it all out – by discussing it with me, someone he really doesn’t know or trust. I told him that was fair and I understand why he would feel that way, but I do care and that I went to school to be able to help people, not hurt them. My question to you at this point, what types of things can I do with him to create a trust with him, so I can begin a successful therapy with him. Will the worksheets everyone is speaking of help? Any suggestions you have will be greatly appreciated.

]]> By: Linda http://www.thekidcounselor.com/articles/teenagers-and-therapy-how-to-make-it-work#comment-514 Linda Tue, 08 May 2012 15:07:53 +0000 http://www.thekidcounselor.com/articles/teenagers-and-therapy-how-to-make-it-work/#comment-514 Hey brenna, I am a counselor at a middle school and I have notice the self mutilation is one of the biggest things affecting teens and I have no experience with this issue at all!!! So I was browsing the internet looking for information and I stumbled upon this website. Would you happen to have any information, worksheets, anything at all on this topic? Please feel free to email me with information. Thank you in advance Hey brenna,

I am a counselor at a middle school and I have notice the self mutilation is one of the biggest things affecting teens and I have no experience with this issue at all!!! So I was browsing the internet looking for information and I stumbled upon this website. Would you happen to have any information, worksheets, anything at all on this topic? Please feel free to email me with information. Thank you in advance

]]> By: brenna http://www.thekidcounselor.com/articles/teenagers-and-therapy-how-to-make-it-work#comment-513 brenna Mon, 07 May 2012 00:53:35 +0000 http://www.thekidcounselor.com/articles/teenagers-and-therapy-how-to-make-it-work/#comment-513 I will email you the materials for working with teens. About the parents - you need to make it very clear that you will not engage in a dual relationship. It is always best to be honest and direct upfront about who your allegiance is with. If you are seeing the teen, your confidentiality and obligation is to him or her. If you are working with the parent, then it is with them. It is better to tell them expectations up front than to leave it open and let them assume or interpret down the road. If parents accuse you of siding with their child, make it very clear that you side with no one. Your responsibility is to work with them to help them make their family the best it can be. Whatever needs to be addressed with whomever the issues originate, that is your focus. It sounds a little counterintuitive, but I assure you it helps alleviate the frustration and confusion. I will email you the materials for working with teens. About the parents – you need to make it very clear that you will not engage in a dual relationship. It is always best to be honest and direct upfront about who your allegiance is with. If you are seeing the teen, your confidentiality and obligation is to him or her. If you are working with the parent, then it is with them. It is better to tell them expectations up front than to leave it open and let them assume or interpret down the road. If parents accuse you of siding with their child, make it very clear that you side with no one. Your responsibility is to work with them to help them make their family the best it can be. Whatever needs to be addressed with whomever the issues originate, that is your focus. It sounds a little counterintuitive, but I assure you it helps alleviate the frustration and confusion.

]]> By: Natalie Townsend http://www.thekidcounselor.com/articles/teenagers-and-therapy-how-to-make-it-work#comment-512 Natalie Townsend Sun, 06 May 2012 05:32:49 +0000 http://www.thekidcounselor.com/articles/teenagers-and-therapy-how-to-make-it-work/#comment-512 Hi Brenna, I am still a rookie therapist and would love to see some worksheets/activities you like to use with teens. I see clients from ages 9-adult, the majority are teens. I am feeling a bit insecure about how to work with the parents, especially when they are unhealthy. I feel like I need to advocate for the teens, but I have had some parents say they feel like I "side" with their teen....any thoughts? Thanks so much for your time. Natalie Hi Brenna,
I am still a rookie therapist and would love to see some worksheets/activities you like to use with teens. I see clients from ages 9-adult, the majority are teens. I am feeling a bit insecure about how to work with the parents, especially when they are unhealthy. I feel like I need to advocate for the teens, but I have had some parents say they feel like I “side” with their teen….any thoughts? Thanks so much for your time. Natalie

]]> By: kris hilton http://www.thekidcounselor.com/articles/teenagers-and-therapy-how-to-make-it-work#comment-489 kris hilton Fri, 17 Feb 2012 03:44:47 +0000 http://www.thekidcounselor.com/articles/teenagers-and-therapy-how-to-make-it-work/#comment-489 Hi Brenna, I'm a therapist who ran across this site. I have not worked with a lot of kids but am about to due to a job change. Would you be kind enough to send me any of the worksheets/creative projects you mentioned? I need some quick and easy ideas to get started as I build my repetoire. Also, do you know or have any knowledge about something called "soul cards?" I googled them but am wondering if they're really that effective and thought it would help me make a decision if there was some endorsement. Thanks! Hi Brenna,
I’m a therapist who ran across this site. I have not worked with a lot of kids but am about to due to a job change. Would you be kind enough to send me any of the worksheets/creative projects you mentioned? I need some quick and easy ideas to get started as I build my repetoire.
Also, do you know or have any knowledge about something called “soul cards?” I googled them but am wondering if they’re really that effective and thought it would help me make a decision if there was some endorsement. Thanks!

]]> By: Andrey Moiseev http://www.thekidcounselor.com/articles/teenagers-and-therapy-how-to-make-it-work#comment-488 Andrey Moiseev Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:58:46 +0000 http://www.thekidcounselor.com/articles/teenagers-and-therapy-how-to-make-it-work/#comment-488 This article was helpful enough to get an idea, what to expect in teen counseling. I just started to work with 14 year old femail teen and this information whould help greatly in my work. The part where teen manage to come for first session very true. Here you feel a bit success when you knew that she wasn't so eager to come to see shrink. This article was helpful enough to get an idea, what to expect in teen counseling. I just started to work with 14 year old femail teen and this information whould help greatly in my work. The part where teen manage to come for first session very true. Here you feel a bit success when you knew that she wasn’t so eager to come to see shrink.

]]> By: brenna http://www.thekidcounselor.com/articles/teenagers-and-therapy-how-to-make-it-work#comment-484 brenna Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:55:22 +0000 http://www.thekidcounselor.com/articles/teenagers-and-therapy-how-to-make-it-work/#comment-484 I will be in touch via email. I will be in touch via email.

]]> By: K.M. LPC http://www.thekidcounselor.com/articles/teenagers-and-therapy-how-to-make-it-work#comment-481 K.M. LPC Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:27:08 +0000 http://www.thekidcounselor.com/articles/teenagers-and-therapy-how-to-make-it-work/#comment-481 How to effectively work with a teenage girl who just opened up about sex and alcohol? I have since made a behavioral contract about reducing her alcohol usage (in specifics). Any more ideas/suggestions? Thanks! How to effectively work with a teenage girl who just opened up about sex and alcohol? I have since made a behavioral contract about reducing her alcohol usage (in specifics). Any more ideas/suggestions?
Thanks!

]]> By: Amy Kessinger http://www.thekidcounselor.com/articles/teenagers-and-therapy-how-to-make-it-work#comment-464 Amy Kessinger Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:49:16 +0000 http://www.thekidcounselor.com/articles/teenagers-and-therapy-how-to-make-it-work/#comment-464 Hello! I am interested in worksheets and resources you find helpful in working with adolescents. I am a psychologist working in an outpatient mental health office with a variety of adolescent clients. Thanks! Amy Kessinger, Psy.D. Hello! I am interested in worksheets and resources you find helpful in working with adolescents. I am a psychologist working in an outpatient mental health office with a variety of adolescent clients.
Thanks!
Amy Kessinger, Psy.D.

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