Adolescent Counseling at Dayspring
Are you considering counseling for your child? Perhaps you’re a teenager with questions about the process. Regardless of your situation, this guide will help you understand what to expect during your visit to Dayspring Center for Christian Counseling.
Dayspring primarily caters to clients aged 10 and above, as we don’t offer play therapy.
Teenagers often face apprehension about starting counseling. Just like many adults, they may be hesitant to confide in a stranger about their deepest fears and concerns. They might be uncertain about the expectations, the structure of sessions, or the approach to addressing their issues. This anxiety can be particularly acute for teenagers, who may feel uneasy discussing their world with someone they’ve just met.
Dayspring aims to create a safe and non-judgmental environment for our clients. We want them to know that we’ll do everything in our power to protect them and their loved ones.
This guide emphasizes the significance of involving your adolescent in counseling and explores the diverse techniques they may encounter. Dayspring also seeks to ensure that both the child and the parent are well-informed about the counseling process.
In Alabama, a child who reaches their 16th birthday can receive counseling without parental consent. Also the client-therapist relationship is protected by law, and information disclosed during sessions is not released unless the client gives written permission. However, there are exceptions: a court or judge can subpoena or order for release of information that Dayspring cannot legally quash; if a client presents a danger to themselves, the therapist will help keep them safe by involving the proper authorities; and if a client shares their intention to kill someone or their child/elder abuse experience, the therapist is required by law to report it to the authorities.
As a parent, it can be reassuring to gain insights into your adolescent’s activities during sessions after they’ve been discharged. However, many adolescents remain reserved and prefer to maintain confidentiality about their discussions or experiences. Dayspring aims to educate adolescents about the counseling process and provide parents with a comprehensive understanding of its dynamics.
Dayspring counselors adhere to strict confidentiality principles, preventing them from disclosing information shared during sessions. It’s crucial for teenagers to feel comfortable discussing any concerns they may have without fear. However, there are instances where confidentiality may be temporarily suspended. In such cases, the counselor may need to involve the parents of the teenager, but this is communicated to the teenager in advance to ensure their understanding and consent.
The cornerstone of any counseling session is establishing a strong rapport and relationship with the client. During the initial session, the Dayspring counselor and adolescent engage in informal conversation to get to know each other. Icebreakers are commonly used to create a comfortable atmosphere in the office. It’s crucial to ensure that the client feels comfortable discussing their concerns without fear of judgment or criticism. Building a genuine connection and gaining insights into each adolescent’s interests, dislikes, social circles, hobbies, and so on is essential for trust.
In essence, Dayspring counselors ask questions and simply get to know the individual for who they truly are. When a strong bond is formed between the client and the therapist, treatment becomes more effective.
For many adolescents, counseling is sought due to low self-esteem and confidence issues. Some clients are excessively critical of themselves and engage in negative self-talk. They may also be prone to self-blaming or believing in their inability to succeed, which can lead to diminished confidence, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
Dayspring counselors often employ therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help adolescents reverse negative tendencies and adopt more positive thoughts. Many clinicians encourage clients to record their thoughts or keep a journal. This is used to review negative thoughts at the beginning of each appointment and replace them with positive ones at the end. By consistently practicing this approach, it’s expected that adolescents will gradually enhance their confidence and develop a more positive outlook.
Not everything needs to be intense. Sometimes, a game can be the perfect diversion for an adolescent. Dayspring counselors aim to make sessions enjoyable. In today’s world, many teenagers face pressures like college preparation, academic assignments, social status, and social media influence. Despite these challenges, many still maintain a youthful optimism. Engaging in a low-key, stress-relieving game can be incredibly beneficial for rejuvenation.
Given the societal pressures that affect contemporary youth, it’s crucial to provide them with enjoyable and engaging outlets for stress management. While deep discussions are valuable, there are times when a teenager simply needs a moment of relaxation. By incorporating games into therapeutic sessions, Dayspring counselors can help teenagers recall cherished childhood memories and encourage them to break free from rigid and perfectionistic thought patterns. Ultimately, sometimes, the most effective remedy lies in simple pleasures like amusement and laughter.
Life isn’t all play, and there will be work to be done. Worksheets can be helpful in counseling sessions for teenagers. They help outline specific behaviors and tendencies that may need modification. When a teenager sees their issues written down, it can facilitate processing their underlying mental state. Sometimes, simply writing down a problem can be therapeutic, providing a way to release tension and emotional distress.
Worksheets that encourage brainstorming, monitoring behaviors or moods, and describing cognitive-behavioral models, strategies for dispelling misconceptions, and prevalent negative thought patterns are common forms used by Dayspring counselors.
During counseling sessions, we will definitely engage in discussions. Communication is a crucial aspect of treatment for adolescents. While each session may not have a specific agenda or activity, the goal is to create a safe and comfortable environment where adolescents feel comfortable discussing their thoughts and concerns.
Dayspring counselors understand that sometimes, simply venting and expressing ideas can be therapeutic for adolescents. In talk therapy, the client typically holds the floor, but the therapist ensures to ask open-ended questions and gain a comprehensive understanding of each client’s beliefs and worldview.
By discussing challenging subjects, adolescents can gain clarity and improve their well-being by having a safe space to express their concerns and difficulties.
It’s important to note that these are just a few common therapies and techniques used by Dayspring counselors during counseling sessions with teenagers. Each individual is unique, and not all techniques are universally effective. Therefore, the therapist tailors their approach to meet the specific needs and requirements of each client.
Treatment is a collaborative process. The therapist engages in discussions with the teenager to determine the most appropriate course of action. Together, the therapist and teenager develop a treatment plan and monitor their progress towards their goals.
You may be wondering what to expect from Dayspring Center for Christian Counseling. Founded in February 2002, we are a community mental health provider that started as a nonprofit group of local counselors. Our mission has remained the same.
Unlike some popular online counseling companies that employ an “industrialized” approach, Dayspring remains a local organization that prioritizes the well-being of our clients over profit. While our reach has expanded from Marshall County to throughout Alabama, we continue to provide affordable, personalized counseling services that have a hometown feel.
