Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy

In child and adolescent psycotherapy, the therapist utilizes an integrated approach that attends to the thoughts, feelings and behaviors of each individual. In doing this, an understanding of the adolescent is developed using three theoretical domains: Affective, Behavioral, and Cognitive. The Affective, or feeling-based theories include Person-centered counseling and Gestalt therapy. Through these approaches, the therapist develops a trusting relationship with adolescents, provides empathy and positive regard while helping them develop insights into their problems that may involve past or present relationships or traumatic events. Through the Behavioral theories such as Behavioral Counseling and Reality Therapy, the therapist assists adolescents in developing strategies to modify harmful or unsuccessful behaviors and to identify and make positive choices in their lives. Within these strategies, an emphasis is placed on responsibility for choices and the acceptance of consequences for behaviors. Cognitive theories involve the thinking process of the client. The theory base most utilized is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy where the therapist and adolescent identify the adolescent’s irrational belief systems that influence negative feelings about him/herself and consequently often provoke negative behavior. The adolescent develops new self-statements and thoughts about him/herself that influence the overall development of self-esteem and positive behavior. Ms. Miriane Portes is accepting referrals for both child and adolescent psychotherapy. Ms. Brandy Templeton accepts referrals for adolescent psychotherapy.