Teenagers
I counsel teenage boys (age 13 and up) on a range of issues, and I enjoy the challenge of working with adolescents who may be initially resistant to the idea of therapy. I generally treat my teenage clients like young adults, so a certain level of maturity is necessary for the counseling process to be effective.
When it comes to emotional struggles, it's often said that "girls discuss while boys distract." The meaning is that boys are more likely to avoid dealing with and discussing difficult topics. This tendency toward bottling up emotions can lead to larger problems down the road. I've had good success getting my teenage clients to push through this discomfort and address the issues that are troubling them.
Frequent topics include:
• Defiance / Disrespect / Family Conflict
• Academic Struggles
• Alcohol and Drug Use
• Student-Athlete Stress / High School Sports Pressure
• Legal Issues
• Father-Son Relationships
• Lying / Dishonesty
• Inappropriate Sexual Behavior (click for more information)
• Low Self-Esteem
• Irresponsibility / Poor Decision-making
• Self-Sabotage / Unfulfilled Potential
I am involved in local mental health organizations that support teenagers. I’ve also given presentations at local high schools. Earlier in my career, I worked with college students at the Counseling Center for the College of Charleston, and I've also been a guest speaker for the Adolescent Substance Use Skills Education and Training (ASSET) program at MUSC. I have represented teenagers in court cases as a Guardian ad Litem for Charleston County.
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Because privacy and trust are critical to success in therapy, I ask parents to waive their right to view specific details of their child's treatment record. I will provide parents with general information about their child's progress in treatment as well as attendance at scheduled sessions.​
Below is a link to a podcast I recorded with the South Carolina Department of Mental Health where I discuss my work with teenagers.
