Orange County At Risk Youth Counseling

Are You Afraid That Your Child Is Going Down The Wrong Path?

Is your child struggling in school, skipping class or getting bad grades? Is he or she acting out or bullying other kids? Perhaps your child has been hanging with the wrong crowd, experimenting with drugs or alcohol or engaging in risky sexual behavior. Are you unable to spend quality time with your kids because you are always working? Is your child expected to take on adult responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning or caring for younger siblings? Do you wish you could help your child increase his or her self-esteem, become more confident, make responsible decisions and learn to be comfortable in his or her own skin?

A certain amount of angst and growing pains is completely normal in adolescents. But when things cross the line into disruptive or dangerous behavior, it may be time to seek help.

At Risk Youth Express Themselves Through Their Actions And Behavior

Many at risk youth report feeling overwhelmed and helpless. Your child may have had to take on adult responsibilities, such as managing household finances or taking care of siblings before he or she was ready. Often, young people don’t have the ability to articulate their fears and concerns. Instead, your child may be acting out because he or she feels abused, neglected or unwanted. Perhaps your child is skipping school or constantly getting suspended. He or she may be using drugs or alcohol or lose interest in friends and activities that used to be important. At risk youth are often disinterested in learning and perform poorly in an academic environment.

As a parent, this behavior can make you feel confused, frustrated, unappreciated and disrespected. But remember, the adolescent brain is not yet fully developed. Young people often don’t have the vocabulary to explain their emotions, so it’s common to express how they feel through actions. Your child’s deviant behavior is not an attack on you, but rather a manifestation of his or her internal fears, overwhelm and frustration.

To many at risk youth, as well as their parents, it can feel like the current obstacles are insurmountable. The good news is that there is help and hope. An experienced therapist can help identify the underlying causes of the troubling behavior and help your child make healthier, more fulfilling and responsible decisions.

At Risk Youth Counseling Can Help Get Your Child Back On The Right Track

Often, parents of at risk youth grew up in difficult situations themselves. Unless this cycle is broken, it’s very easy for it to keep repeating itself. You may be living with depression, anxiety or trauma that has never been addressed or treated. In these cases, individual therapy for yourself can be extremely helpful as you learn new and positive ways to interact with your child.

Many parents come to me thinking that their child is completely out of control. The truth is that all kids can be good kids under the right circumstances—when they feel supported, empowered and useful. Most kids thrive when they have quality time with an adult who makes them feel special, heard and loved. In sessions, we will work on how you can reconnect with your child and learn how to hear what it is that he or she really needs from you. At risk youth counseling can help you develop the skills needed to truly be present with your child, even if you don’t have a large amount of time together.

In individual sessions, I can help your child develop a greater self-awareness as well as increase self-esteem and self worth. He or she can learn how be more respectful, begin to follow directions, do better in school and forge healthy friendships. At risk youth counseling can help improve your relationships from both a parent and child perspective and help you child feel more empowered. If necessary, I can help you make some lifestyle changes that might help. With help and support from an experienced counselor, it is possible to have a happy family life again.