Youth / Adolescent Therapy
Coastal Wellness & Counseling offers individualized counseling for youth ages 5 – 12. This stage of child development often involves both exciting and stressful dynamics related to academics, social and emotional development, and behavioral concerns. Frequent topics explored and addressed in counseling with youths include; development of self-concept/esteem, social and peer relationships, bullying, social skill development, emotion regulation, family system changes, and adjustment to diagnoses related to neurodivergence (ADHD, Autism Spectrum, Learning Disabilities).
Our Clinicians use a variety of therapeutic modalities when working with youth which, in addition to traditional talk therapy, may include play therapy and/or art therapy. Typically, youth therapy will address self-esteem and resilience through education on emotional awareness, mindfulness, self-awareness, healthy boundaries and relationships, and communication.
Adolescence typically describes the years between ages 13 and 19 and includes important developmental tasks that lead to a successful early adulthood. This time in a child’s life is focused on developing a sense of self, identity formation, and discovering what values and morals are important to them as individuals rather than just as a family and community member.
Many teens face tough choices regarding peer relationships and social dynamics, academic success, sexuality, alcohol and drugs, family transitions and stressors, and self-doubt. In addition they are having to learn important life skills and take on new responsibilities. This can be an overwhelming period in a child’s life, and confusing because it is also exciting and leads to new found independence.
At Coastal Wellness and Counseling, LLC, we meet teens where they are emotionally and developmentally while giving them a safe, non-judgmental space to explore their feelings, beliefs and behaviors. We support them in creating a positive support network for themselves and also help them identify better coping skills to manage their life with greater confidence and joy. Within the relationship with their counselor, teens will be typically be provided with education about their physiology as it corresponds to mental health, as well as skills for improving coping and emotional regulation, relational and interpersonal experiences, critical thinking, and healthy boundaries.