Children and Youth Counseling
Anxiety affects 30% of children and adolescents, yet 80% do not get treatment.
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Untreated anxiety disorders can lead to depression, failure in school, and substance abuse.
Kids Have a Special Place in Our Hearts
Samaritan creates a safe space where your child will be listened to and not judged.
We understand child development and are passionate about helping children and teens. We listen. We encourage. We connect with them by taking an interest in what’s important to them. We also respect the level at which you as parents want to be involved.
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Society is much more complex than it was 20 years ago, and kids today are more stressed than adults.
They not only experience high levels of angst over pressure to succeed in school, sports, and other activities, but they also struggle with social identity, are fearful of school violence, and worry about the future. Their anxiety is exacerbated by today's technological environment.
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We're committed to helping your child grow up healthy.
A therapist will work with your child to determine the root cause of his or her problems, and develop a treatment plan to address those problems and specific needs.
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At Samaritan, we believe that all children have a unique story to tell. We listen to their story, and we walk alongside them throughout their journey to wellness.
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We have therapists who specialize in working with children and teens. Call Samaritan at 888.200.9746 to arrange for your child's appointment. (Parents should call to make appointments for their children ages 6-17. Young adults 18 and over need to contact us directly to schedule their appointments.)
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Recognize the Signs that Your Child Needs Help
As a parent, you often sense when something is wrong. But sometimes children hide their feelings, not only from you, but also from their peers. Teens, especially, may create the illusion of a “perfect life” on social media. Here are some signs that your child/teen may need help:
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Excessive worry, anxiety, and fearfulness
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Seeming sad most of the time
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Isolating from family and friends
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Frequent outbursts of anger; no self-control
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Self-harm or threats of self-harm
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Changes in eating and/or sleeping habits
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Difficulties around school (refusing to go, dropping grades, behavioral issues)
What Troubles Kids Today?
Our youth are growing up in a very complex society. Numerous studies indicate that most kids report higher levels of stress than adults, and describe their mental health as fair or poor. Stressors can include:
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Pressure to succeed in school, sports, etc.
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Struggles with social identity
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Uncertainty about the future
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School shootings
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Events in the news
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Being bullied
They may be silently hurting from:
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Unresolved trauma
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Low self-esteem
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Gender confusion
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Physical, sexual, and/or verbal abuse
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Not feeling safe
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Up to One in Five Children Show Symptoms of Diagnosable Mental Health Disorders, Such As:
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Anxiety disorders
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Depression (which has risen sharply in youth)
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Eating disorders
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Addiction (alcohol/substance abuse, pornography, internet)
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Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
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Phobias and panic disorders
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Conduct disorders (characterized by aggressive or destructive behaviors)
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Mental health statistics for children and teens
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Technology Exacerbates Stressors
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As teens spend about nine hours a day in frontof a screen (younger kids spend five to seven), they’re exposed to potentially harmful content.
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Bullying used to take place primarily in the school yard—and still does. Now, it’s taking place online, too. And kids are falling prey not only to cyber bullies, but also to cyber stalkers.
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Kids obsessively com-pare themselves to one another—clothes, body type, and social lives—through a perpetual stream of messages and images on social media. To many kids, it’s a constant reminder that they “don’t measure up.”
