Christian Counseling for Children and Teens
Helping Young People Grow in Christ
The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. – Proverbs 23-24
Raising righteous, Christ-filled children and teens can be a challenge. You have the world up against you – one that is often against the things of God. Couple that with our own human nature and struggles, and it might feel that your hands are tied. There is good news and hope for your young ones in Christ. Through Him, we are shown what it means to be Christ-filled caretakers and how to deal with problems that our children face. Even so, there are many times when we need a little extra help from fellow brothers and sisters. At Seattle Christian Counseling, we offer you tools for faith-based guidance and healing, meant to strengthen you and your children as you grow in your walk with Christ Jesus.
When is it time for professional help? For many, this question can be hard to answer. If you’ve found us, chances are something is bothering you and that alone might mean it’s time. If your child or teen has any of the problems listed below, Christian counseling for children and teens can help.
- Sudden or persistent changes in mood or behavior.
- Problems thriving socially or academically.
- Persistent conflict with family members.
- Difficulty working through issues related to trauma or grief.
- Trouble adjusting to a life change or transition.
- Dangerous or risky behavior such as drug use and sexual promiscuity.
- Struggles with faith and spiritual development.
If your child or teen is struggling, give us a call today at 206-388-3061 to schedule your risk-free initial session*.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. – Hebrews 11:1
If you’re worried about your child or teen, it can be hard to keep faith that everything will work out. As an association of Christian counselors, we have had the privilege of helping parents and their children find lasting solutions for almost any problem imaginable. Even when hope and faith for healing seem impossible, you can find the tools you need for helping your young ones thrive through Christian counseling.
How Can Christian Counseling Help?
The most obvious and important question you probably have is; can Christian counseling help my child? It’s easy for us to answer that with a confident, Yes! Over the years, we’ve seen people of all ages find solutions where there were none, heal what they thought impossible, and gain tools for thriving despite crushing odds. Through faith-based counseling, you are given powerful tools for whole-person wellness, no matter how minor or severe the problem might seem.
Benefits of Christian-Based Counseling
Christian counseling is unique and much different than secular-based counseling. Though we offer the same evidence-based treatment methods, we take it a step further and look to healing that which is unseen and not always treatable within the confines of science. When it comes to issues of the spirit, you need a spiritual approach to healing – one that leans on Christ and the Spirit of God for guidance, healing, and comfort. Our Christian counselors offer you that perfect blend of God-given tools for healing of the physical brain and faith-based methods for healing issues that secular groups offer little to no help with.
Common Areas of Treatment
Most anything that affects an adult can also affect a child or teen. Like us, they can experience things like depression, anxiety, struggles with mental illness, and behavior issues. The hard thing for children and teens is they rely on their caretakers for support and guidance during these times, any many don’t understand what they are going through well enough to ask for help. As a parent, it can be hard sometimes to know what your child is going through, much less what to do about it. Christian counseling for children and teens bridges this gap so that you and your child get the help you need.
Nearly 1 in 10 children ages 5 to 16 is affected by a mental health problem.
Some of the most common are:
- Depression
- Self-harm
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Eating disorders
Other areas of treatment include:
- Autism spectrum disorders and learning disabilities
- Mood or personality disorders
- Anger management
- Addictions
- Grief and trauma
- Family relationships
- Spiritual development
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. – Psalm 139:14
Your child is a unique and wonderful creation of God. Our Christian counselors aren’t here to change who your child is but instead hope to nurture their strengths and help them overcome challenges so they can lead full Christ-filled lives. When working together –parent, counselor, and Christ –you have a strong alliance for helping your young one reach their full, God-given potential.
What happens in Christian counseling varies depending on the unique situation of each person. No matter what the age, background, or struggle, we offer a safe place of compassion with a dedication to helping all who come to us find healing and hope through faith and skilled Christian counseling.
Christian Counseling for Children
Christian counseling for children focuses on creating a warm, safe environment where the child is encouraged to communicate in their own way. Your child’s Christian counselor is trained to know how to best interact with your child depending on their age, symptoms, and the concerns you both have. The two most commonly used methods for counseling children are play therapy and trauma-focused therapy.
- Play therapy uses a combination of talking and creative play to help the child express themselves without feeling uncomfortable or confused.
- Trauma-focused therapy is beneficial for children who have experienced a traumatic or abusive event. The goal is to help the child manage and work through painful thoughts and emotions so they can heal and thrive.
You probably wonder, what is my role? As a parent, if your child is under 13, you might be present during the counseling sessions to help your child feel more secure. In any case, you will play a strong, fundamental role in your child’s recovery. Your child’s counselor will keep you informed with the goal of partnering with you to help build a nurturing environment for your child.
Christian Counseling for Teens
Christian counseling for teens is meant to offer a judgement-free place of safety where your teen can express themselves and work towards learning skills for being Christ-filled adults. Teen years can be hard and parenting a troubled teen is no easy task. Our counselors know how to speak to young people in away that connects with the challenges and emotions they face. As a parent, it can be hard to get your teen to open up, and sometimes having someone outside of the situation can be very valuable. In addition to standard areas of treatment, teen-centered Christian counseling involves issues like:
- Depression and anxiety
- Behavior and mood disorders
- Drug and alcohol use
- Sexual identity and promiscuity
- Teen pregnancy
- Dealing with social pressures
- Goal setting and problem solving
- Strengthening faith-based values
What is normal teen behavior? If you’re like many parents, you might ask yourself this same question. If you’re unsure, or If you worry about teen behavior problems, it’s better to get help sooner rather than later. By partnering with you and Christ, we can work together for finding solutions that will help your teen learn, grow, and thrive.
We Partner with Parents for Building a Better Future
The children of today will build the world of tomorrow, and we are dedicated to helping forge a strong, Christ-filled generation. To learn more about Seattle Christian counseling for children and teens, call us today at (206) 388-3061 or contact us online.
