Adolescents
Therapy is not just a tool to correct course. It is first: an opportunity to assess where someone is along their path, and then to craft a plan for positive change and growth. My Family Counselor is a respected, credible source for Teenage Christian therapy in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. We understand that growing up can be difficult and confusing, so our counseling services are expertly tailored to the needs, experiences, and specific goals of your child.
Adolescents
Today’s teens are under incredible pressure not only to fit in, but to excel in academics, sports, music, and all the things! According to Eric Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, their primary developmental conflict at this age is identity versus role confusion.
What a time to try to answer the question, “Who am I and why am I here?” Is it any wonder that parents are more concerned than ever about their adolescent children?
Through counseling, teens can:
- Develop healthy social skills
- Find a safe place to process thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
- Learn tools to manage conflict and solve problems in healthy ways
- Battle peer pressure
- Discuss faith, beliefs and even doubts
- Process and heal from past hurts
- Find a respectful way to voice concerns
Melanie’s Experience
Despite what your adolescent says, most of them are desperate for real, face-to-face connection. They want to share their struggles with someone who is relatable and understands the culture in which they live. When they find someone who cares and who they can trust, they are better able to navigate the issues they are facing.
Melanie’s Areas of Specialization:
Melanie has spent most of her life in relationships with young people. Whether directing children’s choirs or teaching piano, Bible, or music, connecting with students has always been at the heart of all she does.
Both her undergraduate and graduate degrees have focused on childhood and adolescent development. She understands families and her experience has prepared her to help young people with many issues including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Family conflict
- Relational challenges with friends
- Lack of face-to-face connection
- Technology and other addictive behaviors
My Family Counselor:
Offering heart-centered, biblical, evidence-based treatment.
Transformation is our privilege and our passion.
Reach out today for a complimentary insight call.
Frequently Asked Questions for Adolescent Therapists:
How often should we plan to meet?
Every child and their individual circumstances are different. For that reason, after a couple of sessions, the counselor, together with parent(s) and child (if age appropriate), will discuss a proposed treatment plan. This will be based on presenting concerns, family schedules and budgets, and established short and long-term goals.
How will our family be involved in the treatment process?
Sometimes, therapy involves only the teen. In our experience, however, there is often great benefit to additional sessions for parents, other siblings, and at times, counseling for the family.
What's the best way to contact you between appointments?
Please feel free to email, text, or call and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
What type of debriefing should parents expect after individual sessions?
Counseling with a teenager can be a delicate dance. First, young people need a safe place where they can share. It often takes a lot of time to establish this level of trust.
At the beginning of therapy, the counselor will discuss and navigate the issue of confidentiality both with the teenager and their parent(s). Detailed information regarding informed consent can be found on intake paperwork.
In a nutshell, there are obviously issues (such as if a teen discloses they wish to harm themseves or someone else) that parents and appropriate authorities will be notified. Beyond that, counselors will negotiate age-appropriate, case-specific policies that meet both the needs of the parties involved and the legal and ethical considerations of our profession.