Mental Health Services
Mental Health Services
What is Mental Health Counseling?
Mental health counseling is a process where you find “your person”. Your person is someone who is there for you, without judgment….without prejudice….without shame and who allows you to be fully and authentically you. Counseling allows you to be free to explore your thoughts, feelings, sensations, and experiences in a way that opens up possibilities for wellness.
People can expect counseling to be a space where they are challenged to think differently but also remain the expert of their own lives. As counselors we do not tell people what to do, we simply hold up a figurative mirror for them to see themselves in a newer, more positive light.
With children and teenagers, we meet them where they are. That means we communicate through their method of communication - whether it be through play, a sand-tray, artwork, or other creative means.
What is Mental Health Counseling?
Mental health counseling is a process where you find “your person”. Your person is someone who is there for you, without judgment….without prejudice….without shame and who allows you to be fully and authentically you. Counseling allows you to be free to explore your thoughts, feelings, sensations, and experiences in a way that opens up possibilities for wellness.
People can expect counseling to be a space where they are challenged to think differently but also remain the expert of their own lives. As counselors we do not tell people what to do, we simply hold up a figurative mirror for them to see themselves in a newer, more positive light.
With children and teenagers, we meet them where they are. That means we communicate through their method of communication - whether it be through play, a sand-tray, artwork, or other creative means.
ADHD
This is a diagnosis that is widely known - yet equally misunderstood. Gone are the days that this diagnosis is understood as primarily an attention issue. Rather, this is a diagnosis that at its core is about executive functioning.
Executive functioning is the mission control center of the brain that tells us how to plan and carry out tasks. It includes our working memory, organizing, emotional control, and metacognition. Individuals with ADHD also often experience social challenges, anxiety, depression, and are two to three times more likely to engage in substance use (Lee SS, Humphreys KL, Flory K, Liu R, Glass K., 2011).
At BAPS, Cory and Kate both help individuals with executive functioning issues and ADHD, but choosing what types of therapeutic routes to follow can be a little bit tricky.
If your child has a history of depression and anxiety associated with ADHD, it might be a good idea to explore counseling. A counselor like Dr. Cory can help your child figure out coping strategies and dive deeper into the root of these issues. Anger and outbursts may be another reason to explore the counseling route if you feel like these issues are interfering with healthy development and family life.
If your child seems disorganized, falls behind on schoolwork, has difficulty with reading, writing or even making friends, executive functioning therapy by a speech pathologist, like Kate, would be worth a try. Executive functioning therapy can help your child to visualize a “future picture” and teach strategies that lead to better school outcomes. Reading and writing deficits are common in kids with ADHD and a full speech and language evaluation may provide better insight into which issues would benefit from therapy.
ADHD
This is a diagnosis that is widely known - yet equally misunderstood. Gone are the days that this diagnosis is understood as primarily an attention issue. Rather, this is a diagnosis that at its core is about executive functioning.
Executive functioning is the mission control center of the brain that tells us how to plan and carry out tasks. It includes our working memory, organizing, emotional control, and metacognition. Individuals with ADHD also often experience social challenges, anxiety, depression, and are two to three times more likely to engage in substance use (Lee SS, Humphreys KL, Flory K, Liu R, Glass K., 2011).
At BAPS, Cory and Kate both help individuals with executive functioning issues and ADHD, but choosing what types of therapeutic routes to follow can be a little bit tricky.
If your child has a history of depression and anxiety associated with ADHD, it might be a good idea to explore counseling. A counselor like Dr. Cory can help your child figure out coping strategies and dive deeper into the root of these issues. Anger and outbursts may be another reason to explore the counseling route if you feel like these issues are interfering with healthy development and family life.
If your child seems disorganized, falls behind on schoolwork, has difficulty with reading, writing or even making friends, executive functioning therapy by a speech pathologist, like Kate, would be worth a try. Executive functioning therapy can help your child to visualize a “future picture” and teach strategies that lead to better school outcomes. Reading and writing deficits are common in kids with ADHD and a full speech and language evaluation may provide better insight into which issues would benefit from therapy.
Social Concerns
During the tween and teen years, you may see social skills challenges emerge. Tween and teen years can be a confusing time for most, and the social pressure felt to spend more time with friends, listen to friends, and develop and maintain friendships can be overwhelming. Some kids may need more support with learning how to initiate and maintain friendships, and this is where some social advocacy support can come in handy!
Kate helps kids with a wide range of social skills challenges, including perspective-taking and social advocacy. Some students may have diagnoses that include elements of social challenges, like Social Pragmatic Disorder, ADHD, or Autism, while some students may just need extra help learning how to interact to the best of their abilities with peers! Kate will help your child with social exercises that allow them to be themselves and also share their best self with others.
Social Concerns
During the tween and teen years, you may see social skills challenges emerge. Tween and teen years can be a confusing time for most, and the social pressure felt to spend more time with friends, listen to friends, and develop and maintain friendships can be overwhelming. Some kids may need more support with learning how to initiate and maintain friendships, and this is where some social advocacy support can come in handy!
Kate helps kids with a wide range of social skills challenges, including perspective-taking and social advocacy. Some students may have diagnoses that include elements of social challenges, like Social Pragmatic Disorder, ADHD, or Autism, while some students may just need extra help learning how to interact to the best of their abilities with peers! Kate will help your child with social exercises that allow them to be themselves and also share their best self with others.
Depression & Anxiety
Depression and anxiety were already common before a global pandemic. Now that the world has been fundamentally changed and kids and teens have endured a collective traumatic experience, depression and anxiety is more widespread than ever. Kids and teens need connection and the pandemic forced them to be isolated.
Anxiety and depressive symptoms have increased - teens are withdrawing and burnt out, kids are down and upset more, and this has resulted in more outward expressions of anger.
Cory helps kids and teens form a meaningful relationship with a trusted and authentic adult, then explore ways to manage depression and anxiety in realistic terms. He uses a range of methods including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), existential therapy and person centered therapy to help kids and teens learn to be problem solvers.
Depression & Anxiety
Depression and anxiety were already common before a global pandemic. Now that the world has been fundamentally changed and kids and teens have endured a collective traumatic experience, depression and anxiety is more widespread than ever. Kids and teens need connection and the pandemic forced them to be isolated.
Anxiety and depressive symptoms have increased - teens are withdrawing and burnt out, kids are down and upset more, and this has resulted in more outward expressions of anger.
Cory helps kids and teens form a meaningful relationship with a trusted and authentic adult, then explore ways to manage depression and anxiety in realistic terms. He uses a range of methods including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), existential therapy and person centered therapy to help kids and teens learn to be problem solvers.
Grief & Trauma
Trauma is anything that exceeds one’s ability to cope healthily and effectively.
It is not just the big events like war, grief, and loss of a loved one. We must expand our definition of trauma to be more inclusive of lived experiences of those who experience things like a pandemic, a good friend who moves away, changing schools, or changing family dynamics (i.e. divorce).
Cory is a trauma-informed therapist who uses methods including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), existential therapy and person centered therapy to help kids and teens heal and reprocess traumatic memories.
Grief & Trauma
Trauma is anything that exceeds one’s ability to cope healthily and effectively.
It is not just the big events like war, grief, and loss of a loved one. We must expand our definition of trauma to be more inclusive of lived experiences of those who experience things like a pandemic, a good friend who moves away, changing schools, or changing family dynamics (i.e. divorce).
Cory is a trauma-informed therapist who uses methods including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), existential therapy and person centered therapy to help kids and teens heal and reprocess traumatic memories.
"A few years ago my son was diagnosed with ADHD, so I wanted to find a counselor that had experience dealing with this and found Cory. My son has loved Cory from the very first session because he was easy to to talk to and meets him where he's at. Also, he enjoys the play therapy so that he can keep busy while talking to Cory. I really appreciate how Cory includes me in their sessions as needed and he coaches me through the difficult times as well. I cannot stress enough how much Cory has helped us!!"
L.C., Parent