Counseling for Teens and Individuals
Counseling for Adults and Individuals
Today’s culture is changing every day. What was once defined as normal is being challenged and re-assigned by policymakers. The impact that this has on our children is HUGE. Today’s youth are more stressed and anxious, concerned about safety at school, confused about their gender, and driven by social media. Their playgrounds have become overtaken by bullying, they are addicted to Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, using their cell phones for sexting, and searching for pornography. Body image concerns are also beginning younger, even before middle school, leading to eating disorders and other health concerns.
Sometimes our children begin to act out emotionally or behaviorally. They begin to become angry or show signs of anxiety and depression. There can be many factors that contribute to a child’s well-being, such as a divorce or loss of an important family member, a blended family, moving to a new home, or starting school. Often times academic success becomes more challenging. Agape has trained counselors whose passion is to help bring clarity, offer help through grief and trauma, family support to divorce and blended life changes, and provide educational resources and assessments for academic improvement.
We understand the helpless feelings of today’s parents. Our clinicians are not only professionals, they are concerned parents and educators too. They stay on the cutting edge of training as technology daily ramps up the world that our kids encounter. Give us a call so we can fight together.
Clinicians
Our clinical experts are here to help you. They are ready to begin your journey together.
Appointments
Begin your journey towards health and healing by making and appointment today.
FAQs
When should you refer your child to therapy
Consider seeking a therapist/counselor for your child if their emotional or behavioral challenges persist for two weeks or longer, an abrupt change in behavior (shutting down or acting out), sudden change in personality, sudden change towards obsessed behaviors. Anytime serious life events or the emotion/behavior change causes significant distress to the child or family, or interfere with daily functioning at school, at home, or with friends. While all children experience developmental shifts in mood and behavior professional intervention is warranted when these patterns become persistent, severe, or uncommon for the child’s developmental age.
It is also very important to seek therapy when your child asks. No matter their age, if your child verbalizes they need to speak to a therapist/counselor you should follow their lead. Even if they do not want to disclose the reason for the request, follow their lead.
Key Warning Signs
Parents should monitor for changes across multiple areas of a child’s life, including mood, social habits, and physical health.
- Persistent Mood Changes: Sadness, withdrawal, or feelings of hopelessness lasting more than two weeks. In children, depression often manifests as increased irritability, a short fuse, or being easily upset rather than just sadness.
- Behavioral Disruptions: Abrupt mood swings, extreme anger outbursts, sudden defiance, or aggressive behavior toward others.
- Social Isolation: A sudden lack of interest in friends, avoiding family gatherings, or withdrawing from activities they previously enjoyed.
- Academic and Cognitive Issues: A significant drop in grades, trouble concentrating, disengagement from schoolwork, or extreme difficulty staying still.
- Changes in Physical Habits: Drastic shifts in sleep (too much or too little), frequent nightmares, or significant changes in appetite or weight.
- Unexplained Physical Symptoms: Frequent headaches or stomachaches with no identifiable medical cause, which may be linked to emotional distress.
Red Flags Requiring Urgent Intervention
Certain behaviors indicate a more severe crisis and require immediate evaluation by a mental health professional or emergency services:
- Self-Harm: Cutting, burning, or hitting themselves. In young children, this may as head-banging or digging nails into skin.
- Suicidal Ideation: Making plans to harm themselves, talking about death, or expressing a wish that they weren’t here.
- Unsafe or Risky Behavior: Engaging in dangerous activities, running away from home, or abusing alcohol and drugs.
- Eating Disorders: Severe food restriction, purging, or an obsession with body weight.
- Loss of Reality: Hearing voices others don’t hear, experiencing hallucinations, or believing someone else is controlling their mind.
Deciding When to Wait vs. Act
Situation | Recommendation |
Normal Developmental Phases | Minor testing of limits or temporary sadness often passes as a child adjusts to changes like a new sibling or move. |
“Watch and Wait” | If a problem is mild and linked to a clear life event (e.g., divorce), you may monitor it closely. If it doesn’t improve in 6–8 weeks, seek help. |
Family History | If mental illness runs in the family, act promptly at the first sign of symptoms due to increased risk. |
Multi-Setting Issues | If a child is struggling in multiple environments (home, school, and sports), it is a strong indicator that intervention is needed. |