Leadem Counseling is committed to the provision of a comprehensive approach to the therapeutic care of children that requires everyone who cares for them be committed to treating the child/adolescent with the utmost dignity and respect. We will not work with caregivers who insist on physical discipline and we will not see children/adolescents against their will.
In the 33 years of service to families, we have learned that “blood is thicker than therapy.” The skills we bring to the counseling relationship will not be effective with children/adolescents unless they have the loving support of their families. The parent/child relationship, when available, must be strengthened because it is primary. We do not believe that the child/therapist relationship should be one of complete autonomy and therefore we practice from a systems perspective that aims to eliminate the need for secrets.
We do not practice from the child advocacy model and do not work with children/adolescents alone or apart from their parents. For us, the child’s primary therapeutic relationship needs to be with their parent or guardian and not their therapist. If you want to learn more about our Commonwealth©️ model for working with families please head to our Family Counseling page.
We do not enter into confidential therapeutic relationships with children/adolescents, as we believe it would be counter-therapeutic. Therapeutic homework for child and parents should be expected. The frequency of sessions and the duration of the therapy relationship are determined by the client and parents.
Children/Adolescent Counseling Focal Points
Family therapy can be an effective tool for helping an adolescent develop the social and emotional skills they need to feel successful but only if they are not identified as the “problem.” All family members attending family counseling sessions are expected to fully participate in the session and may be asked to address their personal issues that appear to have nothing to do with the problem that brought the adolescent to counseling. Therapeutic homework for child/adolescent and other family-counseling participants should be expected.
Our “client” is the family and the school, whenever possible, and not the solitary student. When applicable, we remain committed to open communication between therapist, child, school, and parents. We avoid becoming trapped in the confidences with children that might diminish their relationship with their parents.
Services are available to help your child with the following challenges:
- School Avoidance & Separation Anxiety
- Building Social Competence & Building Friendships
- Reducing Misplaced Anger & Accepting Imperfection
- Coping With Chronic Illness
- Managing Powerful Peer Personalities
- Understanding Parental Alcoholism
- Minimizing Family Conflict
- Working Through Divorce & Separation
- Avoiding Drug & Alcohol Use
- Improving Teacher Relationships
