ADOLESCENTS

At the Family Resource Counseling Center we offer individual counseling services for adolescents. Our work with adolescents centers around providing a confidential and understanding environment in which personal issues can be explored. Often teens like to focus on issues related to family relationships, dating, decision making, and understanding the changes they are experiencing as they prepare to enter adulthood. This can be a confusing time as it is full of important decisions and therefore we offer therapeutic experience which includes support and healthy guidance.

In addition to individual counseling services, we also offer family counseling, couples counseling, sibling counseling,  testing & assessment (for more information on Testing & Assessment, please click on the CHILDREN link above), parenting adolescents classes, and a variety of groups which address essential teen development issues. For further description of these groups: substance abuse, body image and eating disorders, financial skill building, and teen dating, please see below:                                                                                                          
Substance Abuse

• Adolescent’s who have been through the turmoil of rehabilitation at an inpatient facility typically need help reintegrating into their daily lives. This is understandable as dramatic, yet positive changes have taken place. In order to ensure success after completing this first step with an inpatient program, adolescents need to reinforce the changes made.  We provide a space for the young adults to express themselves and gain support as they utilize their new coping mechanisms.
   
• This also requires the need for acceptance and support from family members. Our services include: teen groups, individual consultations for the young adults, and family meetings. Family support groups will also be available to receive support from other families with similar experiences.
   
• Through the different groups, reintegration can be processed in a healthy way beneficial to all. Let us help you make the process of reintegration a smooth and rewarding experience.
   
• Teens often turn to drugs and alcohol due to peer pressure, as well as a way to cope with stress. Often they feel frustrated and their parents feel helpless to resolve problems with substance abuse. Developing better coping skills is an essential step in maintaining a healthier and sober lifestyle. We are here to provide the specific resources to assist in taking the necessary steps for recovery.
• Adolescents in early recovery often struggle with new feelings and challenges as they establish a sober lifestyle. They face many issues as they reenter into their family, school and peer groups. Most have found the support from others who can relate especially helpful.
   
• The primary focus of this group is to help facilitate a dialogue concerning these issues. Clients will learn from and teach one another how to find success and happiness in sobriety.
   
• Group therapy differs from traditional addiction support meetings, as it allows for both “crosstalk” and feedback. Participants are given the opportunity to speak openly about their feelings and struggles. They are encouraged to share with each other their experiences of overcoming obstacles at home, school and in the recovery community.
   
• Group therapy is not meant to replace participation in 12-step meetings. In fact, it enhances the recovery experience and helps group members find meaning in their recovery. In an effort to take sobriety to a new level, this group will seek to answer the question, “Ok, so I’m sober... Now what?”
  
  Benefits of Addiction and Recovery Group Therapy for Adolescents Can Include…
• enhanced abilities to express yourself
• healthier relationships with friends and family
• a better understanding of the recovery process
• new meaningful friendships
• improved abilities to cope with feelings related to sobriety
• discovering the meaning in your addiction
• relapse prevention
• improved communication
• decreased addiction-related depression
• improved sense of self-worth and self-esteem
  
  Benefits of Addiction and Recovery Group for Families Can Include…
• improved understanding of  the recovery process
• increased family communication
• decreased conflict and tension
• assistance while reintegrating after rehabilitation or wilderness program
• Participation in your child’s recovery process

Dr. Collins brings ten years of personal experience with the process of recovery which enhances his ability to reach adolescents. Participants will learn how to address and confront fear, anger, anxiety and a variety of other emotions related to the challenge of achieving and maintaining sobriety. Beyond this, the group can enhance the experience of sobriety, helping members realize that a rich and rewarding life is within reach.

Groups are Wednesday afternoons.

Please feel free to call Dr. Collins for more information at:

(310) 479-9798 x 7

BODY IMAGE AND EATING DISORDERS
With today’s emotional pressures and an intense focus on creating the perfect body image, teens are increasingly more prone to developing an eating disorder as a means to cope. The earlier a person receives treatment for an eating disorder, the better their potential outcome. Adolescents will have an opportunity within this group to become aware of what triggers unhealthy behavior and create healthier outlets.

Are you feeling...

• pressure to look a certain way?
• at war with your body?
• self-conscious and insecure?
  
  These groups are designed for you!

About Body Image and Eating Disorders
A girl’s attitudes and feelings about herself and her body are affected by her environment.  As she grows up she is influenced by societal pressures to be thin, difficult relationships, and possibly more serious traumas.  This could lead to a negative body image, experiencing feelings of insecurity and loneliness.  Over time this can result in low self-esteem and a loss of pleasure in things that used to be fun.

Sometimes, when these feelings become too overwhelming, a preoccupation with your body and eating becomes a way to cope with stress and emotional pain.  Issues can vary from mild to more severe. As a result, two groups have been developed. During your intake process, your individual needs will be taken into account when determining which group is appropriate for you. Awareness of mind and body can help girls feel comfortable with who they are and expressing themselves freely.

Body Image Group for teen girls

• Develop trusting and supportive relationships
• Address the societal pressures to be thin
• Learn assertiveness and how to speak for yourself
• Build communication skills
• Increase your self-esteem
• Identify unexpressed feelings and how to talk about these emotions
• Make peace with your body
• Become an empowered young woman

Eating Disorders Group for Teen Girls

• Understand how disordered eating is a way to cope with emotional pain
• Identify signs of fullness and hunger, explore
• their meaning, and learn appropriate responses
• Learn how to translate physical symptoms and
     body image distortions into feelings
• Healing the negative effects of trauma
• Develop the ability to be comforted by yourself
• and others in healthy ways
• Create a healthy relationship with food and your body

FINANCIAL SKILL BUILDING FOR TEENS
Teens will learn how to develop financial skills essential to long term financial success. Potential pitfalls may be avoided by understanding that financial decisions are often based on satisfying unhealthy emotional desires and deeply engrained financial behaviors. By enhancing skills during adolescence, the entire family will benefit. Teens are not forced to learn by trial and error and parents can avoid having to clean up the mess.

TEEN DATING SUPPORT GROUPS
This group focuses on issues surrounding teen dating, particularly taking into account the realities teens face today. 

The group provides a forum for peers to come together and gain support while discussing their own experiences. Many important, yet sometimes difficult, topics are raised. Support and guidance are offered as a way to help teens build trust as well as healthy awareness & insight. Group members can utilize this opportunity to learn more about themselves and their environment as they prepare to enter adulthood.