Whether or not to seek counseling for a young person can be a complex decision. If your child’s sadness, worry, discouragement, or interpersonal difficulties persist for more than a few weeks, consultation with a professional can provide useful assessment and guidance.

I will meet with you and your child, together and separately. I will gather your input, ask questions, and interact with your child–all with the aim of carefully constructing a helpful and accurate understanding of your concerns. Based on this understanding, I can help you plan how best to assist your child.

Parents seeking counseling for a younger child often have concerns about some particular challenge their child may be facing at school or at home. Difficulties with adjustment to a new learning environment, or to disruption in family life due to illness, death or divorce often respond well to therapy.

I provide a safe space and an independent ally for processing thoughts and feelings through creative play and non-directive communication. Over time, children can learn to identify emotion, problem solve interpersonal difficulty, and self-regulate. My work with younger children is always accompanied by periodic parent consultation, where observations, useful information/resources, and insights are shared in collaborative conversation between parent and counselor.

In the teen years, as young people gradually become more independent and create a more nuanced understanding of themselves as individuals, counseling can provide a quiet space away from the demands of daily life to focus on self-understanding, self-esteem, and coping skills. Teens play a more active role in collaboration with parents.

Gifted children and teens face unique challenges at school, in the family, and with peers. Their parents face unique parenting challenges as a result! You can learn more from a variety of resources, including the Internet. Check out www.hoagiesgifted.org for information specifically designed for parents and educators. Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG) also provides a wealth of helpful online materials at www.sengifted.org.

My work with gifted children and adolescents takes into account their unique emotional needs–for intellectual stimulation and companionship, self-understanding and self-worth, and creative expression–especially in cases where environmental factors have precipitated persisting anxiety, depression or relationship difficulty.