Our counselors offer counseling for teens in Royal Oak, MI

My go-to approach for helping teens in counseling is first to connect on a level where they feel comfortable and confident sharing their feelings with me. I believe that creating a non-judgmental environment is crucial. Once a client feels free and open enough to discuss any and all topics with me, we can work together toward reaching their goals and coming to a place of healing.

I teach the following in teen counseling:

• Anti-anxiety techniques
• Stress management skills
• Communication exercises
• Reframing
• Gratitude
• Mindfulness
• Self-care
• Movement therapy
• Grounding

I know a client is making meaningful progress in teen counseling when they begin to exhibit the skills we discuss in treatment in the real world. When a teen client is able to expand on when and how they utilized their coping skills and tools, rather than being triggered into recalling old habits and behaviors, that is a sure sign of growth.

Clients can supplement their time in teen counseling with journaling, drawing, listening to and/or writing music, movement therapy, and practicing self-care.

To prepare for their first teen counseling session, a teen should consider what they truly want their therapist to know about them. Taking time to think about this prior to a first session could provide the teen with some examples, situations, or feelings that they would like to discuss. It is important for them to share as much as they are comfortable with in the first session because this is a foundation on which further rapport will develop.