Counseling

 

A marriage and family therapist is employed by the town to assist Ellington’s youth and family with many life issues and concerns.  From the moment a youth or family member contacts the therapist information is confidential.

Issues and concerns that can be addressed by counseling:

  1. Parent-child communication or lack of communication

  2. Sibling arguing/fighting

  3. Relationships Issues including boyfriend and girlfriend

  4. Divorce/Separation

  5. Alcohol and or drug concerns

  6. Illness or death of family members or friends

  7. Physical or mental abuse

  8. Mental Health Issues such as depression, suicide, eating disorders, anxiety, cutting

  9. School issues – performance/behavior

  10. Anger/aggression

  11. Social skills

 

Youth Services is committed to developing a counseling relationship based on mutual respect, and to creating a warm and trusting environment in which to facilitate the counseling process.  Youth and families are active participants in the process and work as a team with the therapist in working towards their goals.

Ellington Youth Services offers a wide range of groups through out the year. Topics covered are divorce, grief/loss, social skills, self-esteem, relationships, peer pressure and smoking cessation.  The groups can be offered after-school, evening and during the school day.  Youth Services works with the schools to offer program to the students during recess and/or class time.

 

 

 


Depression

If you have any one of these symptoms please call for help

  • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness

  • Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood

  • Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism

  • Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that you once enjoyed

  • Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping

  • Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain

  • Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down”

  • Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts

  • Restlessness, irritability

  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions

  • Persistent physical symptoms that do no respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain


Anxiety

What is anxiety?
Anxiety affects the way a person thinks, but the anxiety can lead to physical symptoms, as well.

  • Excessive, ongoing worry and tension

  • An unrealistic view of problems

  • Restlessness or a feeling of being “edgy”

  • Irritability

  • Muscle Tension

  • Headaches

  • Sweating

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Nausea

  • The need to go to the bathroom frequently

  • Tiredness

  • Trouble falling or staying asleep

  • Trembling

  • Being easily startled

Stress

How do you know when you are stressed?
Headaches, stomach aches, sweaty palms, blushing, anger, frustration, fear, nervousness, sadness, verbally lashing out, yelling, sarcasm, wanting to be alone, thinking no one likes me.

General Stress Management
Exercise, talking to others, spending time alone (if always are people), listening to music, doing hobbies etc

Things to do at the time
Deep breathing
Walk away
Count to 10
Say “I can handle this”
Make a spiritual connection


Bullying

Bullying has always been around.  But how people view the problem is changing.  Bullying isn’t just a problem in schools.  It happens in families and neighborhoods.  It’s even a form of humor on some TV shows.  Some people think bullying is just a part of growing up.  But being shamed, hurt or threatened is unacceptable at any age.  Every child has the right to feel safe with peers and at school.

 

Children who are bullied may:

  • Feel alone, afraid or unsafe
  • Get physically sick
  • Become distracted and do poorly in school
  • Try to avoid or skip school
  • Lose pride and self-esteem
  • Fight back and hurt themselves or others
  • Fear that telling will make things worse
  • Blame themselves

Temper/Anger

Here are some tips to get your anger under control:

  • Take a "time out." Count to 10 before reacting or leave the situation altogether.

  • Do something physically exerting. Physical activity can provide an outlet for your emotions, especially if you're about to erupt. Go for a walk or a run, swim, lift weights or shoot baskets, for example.
     
  • Find ways to calm and soothe yourself. Practice deep-breathing exercises, visualize a relaxing scene, or repeat a calming word or phrase to yourself, such as "take it easy." You can also listen to music, paint, journal or do yoga.

  • Express your anger as soon as possible so that you aren't left stewing. If you can't express your anger in a controlled manner to the person who angered you, try talking to a family member, friend, counselor or another trusted person.

  • Think carefully before you say anything so that you don't end up saying something you'll regret.

  • Work with the person who angered you to identify solutions to the situation.

  • Use "I" statements when describing the problem to avoid criticizing or placing blame. For instance, say "I'm upset you didn't help with the housework this evening," instead of, "You should have helped with the housework." To do otherwise will likely upset the other person and escalate tensions.

  • Don't hold a grudge. Forgive the other person. It's unrealistic to expect everyone to behave exactly as you want.

  • Use humor to defuse your anger, such as imagining yourself or the other person in silly situations. Don't use sarcasm, though — it's just another form of unhealthy expression.

  • Keep an anger log to identify the kinds of situations that set you off and to monitor your reactions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


© All Rights Reserved Ellington Youth Services | Designed and Hosted by The Computer Company, Inc.