At Risk Youth

A concerned parent recently contacted a Family Help panel to ask about counseling for her 14-year-old daughter, who has run away several times. She is certain her daughter won’t agree to counseling, but feels it’s necessary to prevent further trouble.

The childcare experts who responded in a July 14 article on the website of The Morning Call advised the parent to remain steadfast, but perhaps alter her approach, regarding the question of counseling:

You have to present counseling in a positive light, says panelist Michelle Forkin. “Counseling is often presented as a punishment,” she says. “Rather than say, ‘You need to get help to improve your behavior,’ present it as an opportunity for the child to air their part of what’s going on at home.”

Other panelists advise the mother to explain to her child that counseling will give her an opportunity to tell her side of the story and make things better.

Running away is often an indicator of bigger problems that the child doesn’t want to talk about. Counseling can help the child work through whatever she’s struggling with, and do so in a safe environment with someone who can really help.