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I used to be a pastor. When I was it was clear to me that there were Christians that were suspicious of counselors and counseling. There were apparently things about counseling that they felt uncomfortable with. They weren’t sure that a Christian should see a counselor. However, when I studied Marriage and Family Therapy at Liberty University I became aware […]
I used to be a pastor. When I was it was clear to me that there were Christians that were suspicious of counselors and counseling. There were apparently things about counseling that they felt uncomfortable with. They weren’t sure that a Christian should see a counselor. However, when I studied Marriage and Family Therapy at Liberty University I became aware that some counselors and psychologists are equally suspicious of people of faith. Both the community of faith and those in the business of counseling are guilty of misunderstanding the nature and motives of the other. I would suggest that a number of myths exist about faith and counseling.
No, they don’t. Some think that it’s impossible to be religious and value counseling. I don’t. This is definitely a myth. It is simply untrue. As someone who is a consumer of both faith and counseling, this drives me crazy. Obviously, there are areas of disagreement between certain types of counseling theory and the Christian tradition. However, there are many things they have in common. Case in point is the counseling therapies that focus on distorted or negative thinking. This is not so different from the Bible’s focus on the renewing of the mind and thinking positive, encouraging thoughts. Two examples of this are Romans 12:1 and Philippians 4:8. Consequently, there are many types of theological and psychological thinking that are similar. The proponents of both seek to help people. And perhaps the area that theology and counseling are most in agreement about is helping people. I see the practice of faith and counseling as allies. They both seek to help others.
Myth #2: Counseling doesn’t work. I’ve heard it many times. I can’t count the number of times that people of faith have proclaimed their distrust in counseling or therapy. I sometimes wonder if some people think that the only place healing can take place is at church? You would think that people of faith would have a broader understanding of how God might work to help people confront their fears, insecurities, and struggles. Unfortunately, this is not always true. It is true that every counseling relationship is not ideal. However, it would be inaccurate to say counseling doesn’t work. And there are reasons that people might think that. It may be the client’s unwillingness to work with the therapist. It may be the counselor’s theory of practice not being the best fit for the client’s problem. Maybe the client and counselor don’t’ really click with each other. Or perhaps the client is fearful of getting that close to their pain. Consequently, there are explanations for those who would claim counseling doesn’t work.
Another common myth. It is clear from the Bible and the Christian tradition that Jesus is a healer, However, there are some who would say that Jesus is enough and we don’t need to look for help in a counselors office. There are some Christians and even counselors who suggest that we should not avail ourselves of medicinal solutions. They see the study psychiatry and counseling to be enemies of the church. The problem is sometimes people need more than upgrading their church attendance and prayer. Sometimes faith is taking advantage of the resources available to you to be healthy. The best example of this is the treatment of alcohol and drug use. Treatment of these problems can consist of one on one, group counseling, and support group meetings. Many people continue with their meetings for years. Consequently, it is true that Jesus is enough for many struggles. However, there are some problems that the discerning Christian should seek further help for. Therefore, this does not make our faith smaller. It simply means that we find hope in many people and situations. Perhaps this means counselors and ministers should be allies in helping people.
In my view, counselors and pastors do a similar work. Both tend to be motivated to help and support others to make changes. However, it’s more helpful to look for ways in which we are alike instead of the ways that we are different.
Maybe you’ve been asking “Do I have ADD?” But you’re not sure. I love Attention Deficit people. They are exciting, interesting, and intelligent. I have two ADD children and they make life exciting. So if you think you might have ADD I hope this article will help you. There was a time when attention deficit problems were […]
Maybe you’ve been asking “Do I have ADD?” But you’re not sure. I love Attention Deficit people. They are exciting, interesting, and intelligent. I have two ADD children and they make life exciting. So if you think you might have ADD I hope this article will help you. There was a time when attention deficit problems were considered to be problems for children and adolescents. However, it is also a diagnosis for adults. Perhaps you suspect that you have attention deficit symptoms. Psychiatrists state that there are eighteen symptoms. Below you will find the four general symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder.
One of the hallmarks of attention deficit problems is difficulty maintaining concentration. this might mean having problems being easily distracted. Sounds, visual stimuli, really almost anything can be distracting. This means doing tasks that require concentration are more easily done in isolation. Unfortunately, it is not very practical to work in isolation in many job or school settings. For some people, it is also difficult to maintain sustained concentration. Dr. Daniel Amen, in his book Healing the ADD Brain discusses concentration. He suggests that when some ADD people try to concentrate their focus gets worse. Because of this, some will avoid engaging in tasks that require sustained attention. This can definitely affect performance at school, at work, and at home.
ADD and ADHD dramatically affect organization and one’s ability to stay organized. Although many people struggle with organization, disorganization is typical of attention deficit people. People with attention deficit problems may have a desk or work area that is messy and unorganized. They also may have difficulty keeping up with things. They may be prone to losing their keys, wallet, etc. Attention deficit people can also be forgetful. This can affect completion of tasks and follow through on things. They can also be guilty of procrastination. This can have an impact at work, school, and home.
One of the most noteworthy attention deficit symptoms is impulse control. ADD impulsivity can create significant problems. This can be seen in children who can’t stop touching everything. Impulse control is a problem for children and adults. An impulsive adult might have difficulty with waiting their turn to talk in a conversation. They might interrupt others. They might also have difficulty with curbing impulsive actions or behaviors. This impulsivity affects effectiveness at work or school. It also might complicate dating or marital relationships. Unchecked impulse control can also create financial and family problems.
Many people with ADHD outgrow the hyperactive piece. However, many adults do not. It is possible for ADD or ADHD to go into remission. Research suggests that 21% of people with an ADD diagnosis will go into remission. Unfortunately, that means 79% will have their symptoms throughout adulthood. Hyperactive symptoms can persist in adulthood. This may mean someone is very fidgety, or cannot stay still. It may seem that they need to keep moving. They may talk excessively. They can also seem restless.
This is not an exhaustive list of the diagnostic symptoms for ADD/ADHD. If you are interested in the full list you can find it here. If you have variations of these four symptoms, you or your loved one might have attention deficit struggles. As a Burlington NC counselor, I help people in coping with ADD problems. I would love to assist you in managing your ADD or ADHD struggles. To contact me click here.
Studies show that between five and seven percent of children are affected by attention deficit symptoms. However, the National Resource Center on ADHD suggests that among children aged 6-11 the almost nine percent are affected. Additionally, their research states that ADD affects almost twelve percent of adolescents. Of these, almost a quarter will receive no treatment at all to […]
Studies show that between five and seven percent of children are affected by attention deficit symptoms. However, the National Resource Center on ADHD suggests that among children aged 6-11 the almost nine percent are affected. Additionally, their research states that ADD affects almost twelve percent of adolescents. Of these, almost a quarter will receive no treatment at all to combat their symptoms. Conversely, 69% will opt for medicinal strategies to help with ADD-related problems. All of these issues combine to make the school setting a difficult one for children affected by ADD. Maybe the question that you have been asking is “How do I help my ADD child in school?” Below you will find several strategies to help your ADD child in school.
One way to help an ADD child in school is by focusing on his or her teachers. It is possible that your child’s teachers are as frustrated as you are. They are your partners, Love them for what they do for your child. It is easy to think that it is their job to help the children in their class. Go the extra mile. Do something for them on teacher appreciation day. Send them something for Christmas. Wish them a happy spring break. Having an ADD child in the class is just as difficult as having one at home. However, your purpose is to be on the same page with the teachers on how to best help your child at school. No one has more of a stake in your child’s success at school than his or her teacher.
Attention deficit problems at school include not only academic problems but social ones as well. My experience with my own children has been that some teachers were well aware of the symptoms of ADD and some weren’t. In my own case, my children’s teacher happens to be a problem-solving maniac. However, not every teacher is going to be that. You and the teacher need to remember that your purpose is for your child to succeed. This means working together on any potential accommodations. This is not always easy. Some such accommodations require implementation at home and at school and that is easier to do if you are partners together to accomplish your child’s educational goals.
ADD children are affected in dramatically different ways. There is a significant difference in the experience of the severely affected child and moderately affected child. However, many ADD children struggle with getting homework done. In many cases, an ADD child will need parental help staying organized. That may mean they need help in completing assignments. It may also mean communication with teachers and the school on what homework is given and what assignments are due. It also may require implementing the use of assignment organization strategies to keep assignments straight. ADD children may also be prone to forgetting things required to complete assignments at school and even forgetting to turn in assignments that have been completed.
The effects of ADD symptoms impact many children socially, at home and at school. These experiences can affect a child’s self-esteem and self-image. These experiences can lead a child to adopt a negative perspective on school. As a parent, you can combat these thoughts by countering them with encouragement for every single thing they do that is praiseworthy. Encourage them for anything they do at school or home that is even the least bit positive. Many times ADD children feel everything they do is negative and they are overwhelmed by that. This may be one of the reasons there is a correlation between attention deficit problems and later substance abuse disorders. You can combat some of this by encouraging them.
One of the most difficult experiences a parent of an ADD child can have is a parent-teacher conference or report card day. We all want our children to do well in school. As a parent, it’s easy to focus on the types of grades you want them to make or the behaviors you want them to have. It is hard to do, but try to focus on the positive, whatever it may be. At the same time, minimize the negative. Clearly, this is a parental balancing act. There are some things that a good parent will not let go. Nor should they. Apart from critical issues, focus on the things that they do well, even if those things are small. Conversely, although we might want our children to have a good experience at school, find ways to communicate support. Part of this is having realistic expectations of the ADD child.
Every person has a love bank. When our love bank is full, our self-worth increases. When others do things that make us feel valued and loved, our love bank is full. So do the things that make your child’s love bank full. In regards to your child at school, if their love bank is full at home, they may be more able to function academically. I hug my kids every day. I tell them I love them every day. The last things I do when I leave the house is to remind them that they are loved and are precious. Click here to read more about how love banks work.
For many ADD children, school and academics is a struggle. However, there are things that parents can do to reinforce ADD children’s ability to function in academic settings.
I’ve been a consumer of counseling services throughout my adult life. I have had some experiences that were great. Some others not so much. My hope for you is that your experiences will be great too. However, I do understand why people say that counseling doesn’t work. It makes me sad that there are people searching for […]
I’ve been a consumer of counseling services throughout my adult life. I have had some experiences that were great. Some others not so much. My hope for you is that your experiences will be great too. However, I do understand why people say that counseling doesn’t work. It makes me sad that there are people searching for answers and don’t find them. So why is it that counseling doesn’t work? Well, it’s inaccurate to say this. But there are some reasons that explain why some people say this. I’d like to suggest four reasons why counseling might not work for some people.
The first reason people say counseling doesn’t work is that they have the wrong counselor. Being in therapy is being in a relationship. The relationship between counselor and client is the greatest predictor of counseling results. If the relationship isn’t one of trust, it will be difficult to make progress. A relationship that includes empathy, understanding, encouragement, and collaboration have an increased potential for positive results. However, if the two don’t feel connected, the desired results are less likely. Therefore, it is important that you choose the right counselor, one that you connect with and can be yourself with.
This may seem a little technical. Many counselors have a particular counseling theory that they use to treat people. If this is the case, it is important that you find a counselor whose preferred theory is effective in treating the problem you want to work on. For example, if you were looking for a therapist to treat depression, cognitive behavioral theory and rational emotive theory would be effective theories. However, there are some theories that are less effective for treating depression. Another example is psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis is a good theory if you were planning on long-term intensive therapy. However, if you were looking for brief therapy that only lasted a few weeks or months, it might not be the best. You need a counselor that uses a theoretical framework that would good for the problem you want to work on.
Ok, maybe wrong motivation isn’t the best way to put it. Perhaps a better way to put it is that some people lack the motivation to yield the desired results. As mentioned, the relationship between counselor and client is important. However, so is the client resolve to work for change and work on their problems. One reason that counseling doesn’t work is that people don’t genuinely collaborate on their problems with their counselor. An example of this is homework. In some situations, a counselor might give someone homework assignments to work on between sessions. Some people may not take this seriously and either not do it at all or do it at the last minute. In cases similar to this, it is probably true that the counseling is not going to have the desired results. If the client is not motivated to work on his or her problem, therapy is not likely to be successful.
Another reason people might conclude that counseling doesn’t work is that it’s the wrong time. There could be many reasons that it might be the wrong time. If you don’t have the time to work on you then it might not be the right time for therapy. This might especially be the case in group or family therapy. A group or family might want to work on something in therapy but have someone in their group who is not ready or willing to be a functioning group member. In this case, the rest of the group can still work on their issues. Hopefully, in time the group member will all be motivated to work together as a family or group.
I’m sure you have heard people say “counseling doesn’t work.” And in their experience, this was probably true. However, a good counseling relationship accompanied by the adequate motivation for therapy can yield positive results.
If there was a Husband Hall of Fame, I want to be in it. I’ve been married for eighteen years. It has always been my desire to be a good husband and father. At times, I’ve felt pretty good about that. However, there have been other times that I didn’t feel as good about it. I […]
If there was a Husband Hall of Fame, I want to be in it. I’ve been married for eighteen years. It has always been my desire to be a good husband and father. At times, I’ve felt pretty good about that. However, there have been other times that I didn’t feel as good about it. I have always wanted for my name to be in the Husband Hall of Fame. By the way, these are things I shoot for. Furthermore, they are not necessarily things I have mastered. So here are my suggestions on how to be a great husband.
Most women want to be cherished and valued by their husbands and children. Find ways to treat her like a queen. By the way, every queen wants to be treated differently so the King has to know how to make her feel like a queen. Make her feel that she comes first and the rest will come.
In his book, The Search for Significance, one of the things that Robert Mcgee points out is that women long for security, One of the things husbands can do is to create an environment that fosters both emotional and physical safety. However, that means an absence of verbal, emotional, and physical aggression or abuse. Make her feel safe in your presence. She should know you will always protect her and never hurt her. Make her feel safe.
I had a guy in one of my churches that was convinced that he didn’t need to tell his wife he loved her anymore. What a bunch of nonsense! If you want to build an intimate and tight relationship with your wife tell her she is precious, loved, and comes first. Don’t assume she knows how you feel about her. Make sure she knows. Woo her with words of your love for her and do it often.
The house is a woman’s castle. It has sometimes been said that the man’s domain is the outside and the womans’ inside. Help her to make the house a place that she wants to be. Although the furniture and decor may not be important to some men, it is very important to many women. Help her to make the house her house. Make it a place she is comfortable safe and wants to be.
Be proactive. There are things that she is going to need help with. As such, do them before she asks you for help. Do the dishes before she asks. Make the bed while she is in the shower. Take the dirty clothes into the laundry room before she can. These are what Dr. Gary Chapman calls acts of service. These proactive acts will go a long way in making your wife feel loved and appreciated
Physical touch is another one of Dr.Chapman’s love languages. However, sometimes when some men think about physical contact they associate it with sex or leading to sex. Instead of thinking about touch in this way, change your thinking to include affectionate physical touches that have no expectations of sexual intimacy. You might find that the results are surprising and that it can help bring you both closer in many ways.
Being a counselor in Burlington NC my purpose is to help men in my community. I am sure that you, like me, want to be the best family men that you can. Consequently, I hope you will find this suggestion helpful. I wish you well.
Depression is one of the most paralyzing experiences a person can have. Depression has been described as feelings of severe despondency and dejection. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly seven percent of Americans have had a depressive episode. Of those, 64% Of them will be severely impaired by their depressive episodes. It affects individuals in a powerful way and can dramatically […]
Depression is one of the most paralyzing experiences a person can have. Depression has been described as feelings of severe despondency and dejection. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly seven percent of Americans have had a depressive episode. Of those, 64% Of them will be severely impaired by their depressive episodes. It affects individuals in a powerful way and can dramatically affect families, workplaces, social contacts, and broader society. However, as many as 37% of depressed people receive no treatment at all. So have you ever wondered if might be one of those people? Below you will find descriptions of several common symptoms found in people who suffer depressive episodes.
Depression can have a dramatic effect on eating habits. One of the things that research shows is that many of these symptoms can be problems in either direction. For example, not sleeping well or sleeping too much are problems. This is the case with eating habits. Consequently, depression affects eating habits. In some cases, depressed people suddenly stop eating. This is consistent with depressed person’s loss of interest. Conversely, it is also common for depression to manifest itself in the form of overeating. Again, this is a change in appetite that is indicative of depression. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, a 5% change in weight in one month is a reason for alarm.
Another common problem with people who suffer from depression is difficulty sleeping. It is not unusual for people with depression to struggle with insomnia. Trouble sleeping includes trouble getting to sleep, difficulty staying asleep, and quality of sleep. However, insomnia is not the only sleep problem people have. Another sleep problem is sleeping too much. Depressed people will sometimes suffer from excessive sleeping. One indication of depression is an increase in daytime sleeping. Both of these problems are possible indications of depression.
Changes in energy indicate depression. Being tired overwhelmed, or worn out are all common experiences. However, there is a difference between the everyday person and depressed person. People with depression will not only experience decreased energy, they will experience it every day. Fatigue interrupts strategies to manage depression. It also disrupts one’s daily routine. This means the fatigue affects family, work and social relationships. Fatigue is long lasting. It remains even after other depressive symptoms have declined. If not addressed, fatigue can increase complications with depression.
One of the areas affected by depression is the ability to concentrate. Sadness caused by depression results in difficulties in concentration. Many times, difficulties with concentration are accompanied by memory loss. Accomplishing complex tasks might be compromised. Distraction problems can cause others to conclude the affected person doesn’t care. It also affects areas like reading comprehension. In addition, there is also the possibility that concentration affects driving. These problems greatly impact both home and work.
Perhaps the most alarming symptom of depression are thoughts of death. People with depression will sometimes preoccupied with thoughts of death or suicide. These thoughts are not the normal thoughts a person might have about death. It is normal to occasionally think about death. However, depressed people are preoccupied with thoughts of death on a more frequent level. They are plagued by repeated thoughts involving suicide. These ideas may include a plan for the method of suicide. Conversely, the thoughts may be more general ideas of suicide that do not include a plan. Either way, thoughts about committing suicide are serious and must be carefully monitored.
One of the notable symptoms of depression is the loss of interest in pleasure. Some consider it to be one of the main symptoms of depression. Loss of interest is the consistent decrease in involvement in things that normally are enjoyable. It is a persistent loss of pleasure felt throughout the day, nearly every day. It affects nearly everything. There is very little that it doesn’t affect. This affects routine, home, work, hobbies, and food.
Depression can be paralyzing and debilitating. There are many resources for people who struggle with depressive symptoms. Some need to consider medicinal strategies. Others are going to need the help of a skilled therapist to combat the effects of their depression. If you struggle with depression, there gifted therapists in your area that can help you. I hope this list of symptoms can help you determine whether you need the help of a professional with your depression.
Coping with anxiety can be a paralyzing experience. It makes ordinary experiences more complicated. It dramatically affects people at home, at work, and in social situations. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nineteen percent of Americans struggle with anxiety. Research suggests that anxiety affects women more than men. There are a variety of types of […]
Coping with anxiety can be a paralyzing experience. It makes ordinary experiences more complicated. It dramatically affects people at home, at work, and in social situations. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nineteen percent of Americans struggle with anxiety. Research suggests that anxiety affects women more than men. There are a variety of types of anxiety including generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and social anxiety. Perhaps you suspect you need help with anxiety. If so, this article provides some strategies to confront your anxiety.
One aspect of coping with anxiety that helps is staying ahead of situations that can activate your anxieties. for example, if you struggle with test anxiety, you can think ahead. Instead of allowing yourself to get overwhelmed, you can study for several days, instead of cramming. Consequently, You can make sure you are adequately prepared. You can ask for testing accommodations that will help you decrease your anxiety. Being proactive helps to overcome anxious symptoms. Think about how you can prepare for situations that affect your anxiety.
Mindful meditation can go a long way in helping people with anxieties. There are many great sources that can help with learning meditation. Meditation is a primary intervention used to helping people with substance use problems to manage addiction. I really like using guided meditations. I like the guided meditations at fragrantheart.com. They have guided meditations of various lengths. They help with calming anxious symptoms. For example, I had a friend who was required to take a test for his work and used a calming meditation before his test. As a result, He did great on the test and the meditation helped calm his test anxiety.
Deep breathing is another kind of meditation. Breathing techniques are a powerful tool in learning to manage anxiety. Changing your breathing can alter the body’s responses, Taking longer slower breaths, holding them for a couple of seconds and then exhaling changes decreases anxiety. When anxious, we tend to breathe shallow quick breaths. Deep breathing activates the calming response system of the body and that helps with anxiety. Further, deep breathing exercises are easy to learn, easy to implement and easy to do almost anywhere.
Anxiety can be paralyzing and overwhelming. Because of this, it is necessary to find ways to minimize its effects. One of the ways you can do this is by approaching the problems created by anxiety in small bites. When you look at the things that cause you anxiety, they seem big and imposing. However, when you break it down into small bites, it is much easier to manage the anxiety. For instance, if you are anxious about leaving the house, there are things you can do. First, you can just go outside to the mailbox. Next, you can walk to the end of the block. Then you can drive to the drive-through at a fast food restaurant. Then you can get gas and pay inside instead of at the pump. In summary, each of these steps moves one step closer to confronting the anxiety. Conversely, each step moves you one step further away from the paralysis of the house. Take it in small steps and you can manage the anxieties.
Anxiety is a prevalent problem that can have far-reaching implications. If you struggle with anxiety there are things you can do yourself to help you with your symptoms. However, if you may need help with anxiety a therapist can help to manage the effects of your anxiety. If so, there are many therapists in your area that are gifted at helping with anxiety.
Adult ADD: It’s Not Just a Kid Thing: Graham NC Counselor Attention Deficit problems have long been known to affect children. Many people think of out of control children when they think of ADD problems. Clearly, ADD affects children socially, at school, and at home. However, adult ADD dramatically affects adults in the same ways. ADD […]
Attention Deficit problems have long been known to affect children. Many people think of out of control children when they think of ADD problems. Clearly, ADD affects children socially, at school, and at home. However, adult ADD dramatically affects adults in the same ways. ADD problems affect these adults in a variety of ways.
Adult ADD symptoms significantly affect social interactions. In some, ADD symptoms go into remission. However, roughly 80% of adults maintain their ADD symptoms. This affects marital and dating relationships. Impulsive and inattentive behaviors dramatically affect the nature of relationships. In many cases, successful, long-term relationships depend on the abilities of others to adapt. Consequently, partners who exhibit patience and understand the nature of the symptoms are instrumental in helping a relationship to endure.
Just as in children, adult ADD problems create problems on the home front. As mentioned, such problems persist in adults as well. Not only does it affect marital and dating relationships. In addition, it also affects parenting relationships. It affects other family and interpersonal relationships as well. Problems with organization, follow through, impulsivity, and being attentive affect the nature of relationships. Another possible issue is the prevalence of substance abuse. Between 35% and 70% of adults with substance abuse problem also had a childhood ADD diagnosis. Therefore, ADD problems complicate parenting and family relationships.
Finally, Adult ADD complicates school and work. Adults who are in school can expect the same struggles as children. However, adults also suffer the effects of attention deficit problems at work. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, there are at least three aspects of ADD that affect employment. First, ADD adults struggle to realize their earning potential. Second, the need for adult social assistance is increased. Finally, adults with ADD typically struggle with completing their education. They are also at higher risk of being involved in crime. These issues all greatly affect ADD adults in the workplace. Fortunately, determined adults can overcome ADD struggles have a successful work experience.
IADD affects adults in many of the same ways it affects children. Clearly, there is a stigma to those who manage attention deficit problems with stimulant medication. In many cases, therapy complements the use of medication to help with ADD symptoms. If you think you might have adult ADD, click here for a list of 19 symptoms.
Why You Need an ADHD Treatment Team: Burlington NC Therapist Your child has an attention deficit disorder and you’re completely overwhelmed. His grades are tanking and he”s driving you crazy at home. I get it. It is not easy. You need help but you don’t know what to do. The only thing you do know is […]
Your child has an attention deficit disorder and you’re completely overwhelmed. His grades are tanking and he”s driving you crazy at home. I get it. It is not easy. You need help but you don’t know what to do. The only thing you do know is that you feel alone and you don’t know how to help your child. You need a group of people to help you help your child succeed and to help you keep your sanity. You need a treatment team to help you. Here are five people you should enlist in your ADHD treatment team.
A physician is an indispensable member of your child’s ADHD treatment team. a primary care physician can serve an important role in building a treatment team. First of all, a physician is instrumental in making a diagnosis. In addition, a physician can serve an important role in making medical referrals. You will need a physician in the event that you want any testing done. A physician can also assist you in locating a therapist that is gifted in treating attention deficit problems. Finally, should you decide that a medicinal strategy is necessary, a physician can prescribe appropriate medications.
A second member of your child’s treatment team that you need is a therapist. A therapist can help a child with ADHD develop skills to aid them in succeeding at school, at home, and in social relationships. In some cases, a therapist can undertake any testing that may need to be done. This is, of course, dependent on the type of license they hold and the types of training they have received. A therapist can also provide treatment to help a child address negative thinking that may be having an effect on the child’s functioning. A therapist can also serve an important role in providing support and training the family to support one another. Research shows that the most effective treatment is a combination of medicinal and therapy.
A guidance Counselor or school counselor is an indispensable part of your child’s ADHD Treatment team help your child succeed at school. Not only do guidance counselors help students with preparing themselves for college. They also help students to accomplish their educational goals while in school. This includes developing your child’s Individualized Educational Program (IEP) to customize your child’s educational experience. A guidance counselor or school counselor will work with you to determine what accommodations might be necessary for your child to succeed. She will then work with teachers on the implementation of accommodations.
Finally, you need a teacher. This one is a little more complicated. Yes, you need a teacher. But, in reality, you need to connect to all your child’s teachers. A teacher is going to be the one that implements the accommodations specified in your child’s IEP. Therefore, it is important that you maintain a relationship with each of his teachers. Your child’s experience is going to be different in each class. There will be certain accommodations you discussed with the guidance counselor that is important in one class but not in another. So it is important to connect with each of the teachers.
This is the most important person on the treatment team. The parent has the most to gain and the most lose. Because of this, they are motivated to achieve positive outcomes for their child. The parent is going to be the one that advocates for their child. He or she will be the one that coordinates care with doctors and therapists. He or she will be the one that communicates their child’s needs with guidance counselors and teachers to identify and implement appropriate accommodations. In short, the parent is at the center of the activities of the treatment team.
My purpose as a Burlington NC therapist is to serve not only my community but ADHD parents everywhere. It may seem overwhelming to talk about building a treatment team for your child. However, I would like to point out two things in closing. First, many of the suggestions in this article, you are probably already doing. Second, constructing a treatment team is not only to help your child succeed. It is also to help you keep from becoming overwhelmed and to maintain your mental and emotional wellness.
Three Roles of a ADHD Parent: Graham NC Therapist Its hard being a parent of a child with attention deficit struggles. It can be so overwhelming. Sometimes it’s like how I feel when I visit my sister-in-law and wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. At my house, I know […]
Its hard being a parent of a child with attention deficit struggles. It can be so overwhelming. Sometimes it’s like how I feel when I visit my sister-in-law and wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. At my house, I know where all the doors and furniture is so getting to the bathroom is easy. At my sister-in-law’s, I bump into every wall and every piece of furniture. In the process, I bruise my shins and wake up everybody in the house. Maybe you, like I, have felt like you are groping your way through parenting your child. I’d like to suggest three ADHD parent roles for you to master on your way to becoming a great parent.
The first ADHD parent role for you to master is the praiser. This is an important one for an attention deficit parent. For some of us, this doesn’t come naturally. If this is true of you, it is a skill that you can master. I’m not going to say it is easy. But, you can do it. Be a praiser. Praise them for anything you can find. If they brush their teeth or take out the trash without being asked, praise them. If they make a “b” when they’ve been making “c’s,” praise them. Just praise them. Developing an encouraging style of parenting can be far more effective than traditional parenting styles. This is especially the case with the ADHD child. So be great at praising. It can go a long way for the ADHD child.
Organization is a important ADHD parent role for every parent of a attention deficit child. Attention deficit children can be significantly affected by organizational problems. This means an ADHD child might, forget their homework at home or they books at school. They might be unable to know what their homework is or when things are due. Don’t even get me started on them keeping their room clean or organized. It also means that as a parent you are going to have to help them with organization. Even with an older child, they may require your help in staying organized. consequently, you should think through systems that can help your child stay organized. This is particularly the case when is come to school. You have to be the organizer.
Advocacy is a skill every ADHD parent role that each parent should master. Advocating is something a parent must be able to do with their child’s teachers, school administrators, physicians and therapists. It is a skill that affects many of the areas of a child’s life. And advocating is an assertive, proactive skill. The ADHD child needs an active parent. Advocating is a strategic behavior. It is the commitment to making sure that your child is receiving all the benefits due them in a given situation. Advocating is the process of a parent making sure that their child has every chance to succeed. Unfortunately, this is not something they can do for themselves. However, you can help them greatly if you master the art of advocacy.
One of the things many therapists do with ADHD clients is skill building. However, you have the opportunity to build your parenting skills as well. You mastering these three roles will give your child a greater opportunity to be successful and give you greater joy in your role as a parent.