Why put a kid in therapy?
All families have ups and downs and most problems get resolved without the help of an outside expert. However, some difficulties warrant special attention and concern. Some examples:
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Your child is having ongoing school problems, is "acting out" with delinquent or oppositional behavior, has difficulty maintaining friendships or is "acting strange", showing signs of mental confusion
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Your child is abusing alcohol or drugs
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Your child has Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD, AD/HD) and needs "coaching" to cope with this problem
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Your child is depressed or engaging in self-cutting, suicidal gestures, anorexia or bulimia
- If your child has "come out" to you as gay, bisexual or transgender or if you think he or she is gay or transgender, and you need help with family discord or just want to understand and make the child's life better, IPG has special expertise you will find nowhere else
The Growing Mind
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SEX TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS: PASSIONATE LONG TERM COUPLES
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BREAKING NEWS: SPITZER APOLOGIZES TO GAYS
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SPITZER, ZUCKER, AND REPARATIVE THERAPY: EX AND PRE-GAY
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COUPLES COUNSELING FOR ONE- A NEW 21ST CENTURY MODALITY?
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BEEN DOWN SO LONG IT LOOKS LIKE UP TO ME: Depression – Or Just The Blues by Susan Menahem
03/10/12 by Susan Menahem
Families are at the core of our existence, giving us a sense of safety and comfort. Conflicts within our families can be more troubling than problems we face as individuals.
Therapy for Families, Children & Adolescents
Many IPG therapists in our New Jersey and New York offices specialize exclusively in work with children and families; some even restrict their practice primarily to adolescents and children. Family therapy is typically called for when your problem involves excessive arguments between family members, or ongoing conflict. In these situations the counselor acts as a neutral mediator and coach, one who can make sure everyone in the family gets heard, can help members understand each other and can teach healthy methods of conflict resolution. Family counseling with children or young teens is often "parenting training" - helping get parents back in charge of the family unit in a loving but structured way. At other times, individual therapy may be more appropriate for a child, or a combination of individual and family sessions.
Adolescence is a particularly difficult stage of life - it has been said that teen behavior would warrant institutionalization if exhibited at any other age - and problems in these years can adversely affect the entire course of your child's future. Even teenagers from functional families must grapple with pressure from peers, insecurities about competency, body image and attractiveness to others, pressures to experiment with drugs, alcohol and sex, and issues involved with the beginnings of adult identity formation.
Counseling teens requires particular skills and patience, and at IPG we have therapists who specialize in adolescents and have a unique ability to establish rapport with - and influence - teenagers. A great deal of therapy with adolescents is done on a one-to-one basis, but we always keep in close contact with you, the parent, and work to improve the bond between you and your teen.
Contact our psychology practice today to schedule an appointment for your child.