You might say something like, “All people have things that are difficult for them to manage on their own. I’ve noticed that you have a hard time when (state the issue here). A counselor can help you work through your feelings to make you feel better and build skills to help you in the future.”

Counseling should never be used as a punishment. Working with a professional to build skills and improve wellness is an opportunity for growth and positive change.

All children have ups and downs. That’s a normal part of childhood. If your child is experiencing an emotional, thinking, or interpersonal pattern of behavior that is affecting his or her well being, counseling is a good place for your family. Additionally, if your child’s behavior or abilities seem significantly different from those of other children his or her age counseling can be beneficial. If your child experiences a significant change or traumatic experience, including loss, family change, abuse, or a medical emergency, counseling can address those issues. Also, if you, as a parent, are having difficulty knowing how to support your child’s growth and independence counseling can help build skills for you and your child.

Counseling sessions with children run about 45 minutes, depending on the age of the child. The duration of the counseling process - in weeks or number of sessions - is dependent on many factors, including your child’s treatment goals, the frequency of your sessions, and the ability and willingness to put skills into practice outside of the counseling session.

To meet client needs, it is the policy of Carolina Children’s Counseling to alternate between after school and during school appointments. Weekend appointments are not available.

I work with children and families beginning at age 3 through young adults navigating growing independence.

If you think your child needs to take a break from counseling, please let me know. It is important that children are properly prepared for counseling to end. Stopping counseling abruptly can be a traumatic experience for a child. It may take several sessions, depending on the issue and age of the child, to complete the termination process.

Yes. Counseling children is often more effective when parents work with the counselor as well. During parent consultations, we will create strategies to use at home to best support your child’s personal growth and improve the entire family’s functioning.

Periodically, Carolina Children’s Counseling offers parenting groups. Small group counseling is a great way to learn and practice skills that make parenting easier. The Positive Discipline method helps parents develop insight into the why behind their child’s behavior while increasing cooperation, empathy, and independence. Parents learn ways to intentionally respond to misbehavior instead of reacting emotionally with regrets.

Young children might have difficulty explaining what happens in therapy; meanwhile, older children and teenagers might not want to share what happens during their counseling sessions. I will not talk about your child in front of him or her either before or after the session. I will keep you informed about our sessions with a brief email after each session. Periodically, I will ask that we meet without your child. These meetings are an opportunity to reevaluate treatment goals and discuss in more depth how your child is doing outside of counseling. We will also discuss effective parenting strategies that you can implement to best meet the needs of your child.

Yes. Before working individually with a child, I will meet with the parents/caregivers without the child. The focus of this session is to get a broad understanding of the behaviors and/or emotions that are causing you to seek counseling for your child as well as a snapshot of the family and school life for your child. At this meeting, we will also begin to set treatment goals for your child.

Please allow 1.5 - 2 hours for this initial parent intake session. The cost of this session is $200.

In person counseling is preferred. However, telehealth appointments are available.

Carolina Children’s Counseling follows all state and local mandates regarding the requirement of masks. If masking indoors is not legally required, I will follow your family’s preference regarding working with your child either masked or unmasked.

Counseling with young children is an active, potentially messy, process. Please send your child to counseling in clothes that could get dirty with paints or clay.

Additionally, your child will not be allowed to bring drinks, snacks, or special toys with them to counseling.