Searching for Counseling For Children and Teens in Harrisonburg, VA and the Shenandoah Valley?
Searching for Counseling for Children and Teens in Harrisonburg, VA and the Shenandoah Valley? Spiral Roots LLC
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC Child and Teen Bilingual Trauma Therapist
Bilingual Child and Teen Therapist
Hi my name is Melissa Deaton Cook. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I provide counseling for children and teens in Harrisonburg, VA. Your child and teen's mental health is important to you. I keep hearing from colleges that their caseloads for working specifically with children and teens in the Shenandoah Valley are full. Parents tell me that when they call for services for a child or teen counselor, they are repeatedly informed that the wait list is over a month, sometimes longer. I have had clients who told me that they have been searching for a therapist for over 6 months for their teenager. If you are looking for someone who specializes in child therapy or teen therapy in Harrisonburg, VA Spiral Roots LLC is currently accepting new clients. Call Melissa Deaton Cook LPC at 540-416-1628
You know that your child or teen need emotional or behavioral support outside of the home. You are now looking for quality counseling to help them with their struggles.
Good therapy starts with a good relationship. Meeting once a week with the right person can make all the difference in your child or teen's life and mental health. The right therapist is important. I offer free consultation on the phone, and I am willing to chat with you and your teen if you would like before you make your decision.
My goal is that your child and teen will feel safe, supported, & empowered. All are welcome! ~ Melissa Deaton Cook LPC
Finding the right therapist is key. This is even more important when looking for counseling for a child, tween, or teen.
The Shenandoah Valley has many great psychologists, counselors, and therapists. But how do you know which one is a good fit for your child or teen? What should you ask when consulting with them and deciding? How can you best determine who can provide good counseling for your child or teen?
When you call to consult with a prospective therapist, speak not only to what your child or teen is struggling with but also to what their strengths and interests are. Ask what therapy looks like in their office. Ask how they engage with the parent or family system if needed. Let them know if there are special circumstances such as custody battles, adjudication issues, social service involvement, or extensive hospitalizations.
Don’t forget to ask about fees. Do they take insurance? What are their forms of payment? Are there additional fees for court appearances or letters of reference to lawyers, probation officers, or social services?
Melissa finds creative ways to meet your child or teen where they are at.
What is the difference between a therapist, a counselor, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, and a coach?
Having questions about the different types of therapists and counselors is normal. After all your child or teen is one of the most important people in your life and you want to make sure they find the help they need. First of all, psychotherapy, counseling, and therapy are terms that are used interchangeably.
A “Licensed Professional Counselor” or a “Licensed Clinical Social Worker” both have master's degree, have had a specific number of hours of supervision, have passed a state licensing exam, and have been approved to provide counseling or therapy to individuals or families. Both provide “therapy” or “counseling”. Psychologists and Psychiatrists also have engaged in higher education and supervision. However, a psychologist typically focuses more on testing and assessments, and a psychiatrist typically focuses on medication management. Both also can provide counseling in some formats. A coach is more of a guide.
The defining difference is in the professional and personal focus, niche, and interests of the provider. Ask what the specific areas of study are for any person that you seek out to provide counseling to your child or teen. It is best to work with someone who has specialized training to work with children and teens.
Research indicates that the best outcomes in counseling are directly related to the client-therapist relationship, not the specific degree or theoretical orientation of the therapist.
You have the right to say “NO” - Child and Teen Therapy
What to Expect from Your First Consultation with a Teen Therapist in Harrisonburg, VA.
After you have found a child or teen therapist in Harrisonburg, VA that you feel will be a good fit it is time to schedule the first session. You may have a few questions as to what is next and what that first session will look like.
Although therapists work differently, all child and teen counselors have an intake process that is completed with the client during the first session before counseling can begin. This may involve a list of questions, a conversation, or an activity. The first session is where paperwork is reviewed, agreed upon, and signed. It is where the therapist informs the client of rights and reviews informed consent and policies. Some therapists may do this in person, some may send you forms to fill out ahead of time through an Electronic Health Records (EHR) platform, and some may do a combination of both. The first session is like a meet and greet where the intake process occurs and where you start to get to know each other. Remember relationships are the key ingredient to successful therapy but due to our laws and regulations paperwork intake must be completed in some format.
How Long Does Someone Work with a Teen Therapist in Harrisonburg, VA?
The length of therapy depends on many things. It depends on the purpose of counseling, the presenting problem, and the personality and work of the client. For children and teens, especially where trauma is concerned, a healthy relationship needs to be built. For child or teen therapy to be successful, the young person must feel safe and trust the therapist. This can take time. In child and teen therapy, relationships are often built through play, expressive arts, sand trays, and games. Due to brain development, play is the primary language of children.
We know that therapy is more effective when attended weekly, especially in the beginning. This is especially important in child and teen therapy. As improvements and goals are achieved sessions may become bi-weekly and then begin to gradually slow down toward completion of services. Therapy is a choice; the family and client are always empowered to talk with the therapist about the duration of therapy and any questions they may have. The client or the therapist may end the therapeutic contract at any time.
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC works with ages 5-18 in Harrisonburg VA and the Shenandoah Valley
There are some myths regarding the availability of children and teen therapists in the Harrisonburg area.
Some may say that there are no therapists in Harrisonburg, VA that have openings for children and teens or that specialize in children or teens.
Over the past year, I have had many clients say to me during the initial consult that they had been looking for a child or teen counselor for as long as six months. Their understanding was that many therapists in the area had reached their limit for the number of teens or children they would see. Or, that therapists in general do not like working with children and teens.
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC Bilingual Child and Teen Therapist
I have loved working with children and teens since the 1990s! Every career opportunity before I started private practice has focused on children, teens, and families. As to working with children and teens, they often do take more energy. It can feel like a messy process! As adults, we typically want to find the problem, define it, fix it, and move on quickly. However, with children and teens we have to find their individual language first, allow them to build trust as we work on a relationship, build coping skills through “play”, and then be ready when they feel safe enough to open up with support, understanding, and guidance. All while balancing the needs and desires of the family system, the school system, and the community. So yes, some therapists do not want to work with children and teens. And, that is ok! Because you want the best for your child or teen. You want someone who is committed and willing to invest the time and energy that is needed in child and teen therapy. Melissa Deaton Cook LPC in Harrisonburg, Va is ready and willing to work with your child or teen today.
Some may say that counseling for children and teens is just there to listen and nod their heads. When in fact child and teen therapists tend to be creative and are good at engaging with young people through the young person's language. They are good at setting boundaries and having uncomfortable honest conversations with teens. They are good at holding space for tears and anger. They are good at supporting, answering questions, and providing guidance both to parents and their young people. They can help provide bridges of communication between a young person and their family. A good child or teen counselor is relational and knowledgeable.
When hiring a therapist to provide counseling in Harrisonburg, Va for your child and teen you want someone who is knowledgeable. Someone who understands kids. Your kid!You want someone your family can relate to, feel safe with, and learn to communicate with.
You deserve support from someone who can help you and understand your child and teens development and mental health issues. Your child and teen deserve someone who “speaks their language” not just another mark in the schedule book.
Therapy isn’t just for chatting weekly, it is about reaching your goals, easing your worry, and getting real support for both you and your young person. I hope this helps you find the right child or teen therapist in Harrisonburg, VA. Someone who can help you and your loved one.
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC ~
child and teen psychotherapist
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC, NCC, ACS
Melissa is a bilingual licensed professional counselor in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Melissa helps kids feel safe, supported, & empowered to be their best unique selves! She helps struggling children and teens to know that they are seen, they are heard, and that they matter with the help of trauma informed expressive art, sand tray, play therapy, nature based, and cognitive therapy. “Melissa is like a child and teen first responder” Jennie -First Responder. Melissa helps dis-regulated children and teens struggling with trauma, depression, anxiety, mental health issues, behavior issues, family separations and more to regulate and learn to function in their community. All are welcome! Melissa’s focus is to help kids learn to regulate, communicate, and strengthen their relationships in the home and community so they can develop the capacity to grow and become their best selves. Melissa may be contracted for child, teen, and family therapy, dynamic trauma trainings, expressive arts workshops, and team building events.Melissa also provides expressive arts workshops and drum circles through The Growing Space, in Dayton VA.Learn more about Melissa’s background, approach, and services here at spiralroots.org