Our counselors offer counseling for teens in Hoffman Estates, IL

My go to approach in helping teens in counseling is cognitive behavioral and creative arts. I think it is helpful to look at ones past thoughts, behaviors and experiences and connect them to their current thoughts and behaviors. Teens are often so creative and want to express themselves through creativity. So for the teen that likes to express oneself through a creative avenue that creativity is used to facilitate their teen therapy sessions.

• Journaling: a free thought journal for them to explore whatever they want. Also, by connecting a journal topic for them to journal about between sessions. The journal is a tool for them to share as much or as little as they want. This is their journal! They can read it to me or have me read what they want me to read.
• Coping skills: build on the coping skills you have And find new ones that work for you. This could be breathing, fidgets or a creative activity to do.

I know a teen is making meaningful progress when they feel excited about the changes they are making. Or when they try something new whether it is a new technique talked about in therapy or try a new activity.

Teens can supplement their time in counseling by completing tasks discussed in session. Or making connections from what they talked about in session to what they are doing between sessions.

A teen can prepare by knowing the intake is asking a lot of questions. Oftentimes, their parents or caregivers would need to report family history. The intake is a way to get to understand what brings them to therapy and what they want to get out of therapy. They can also be prepared to discuss what they want to get out of therapy. Oftentimes, they are told to go to therapy. A teen may have different goals they want to achieve. Be ready to discuss the goal you (the teen) has for themselves for therapy.