My Approach to Helping
Parenting is hard. Parenting a special needs child is harder.
It's one of the odd facts of life that kids don't come with owner's manuals. If your child happens to have special needs, the situation becomes that much more confusing. You, as a parent want nothing more than to help your child. It?s what parents do when their children are struggling and hurting. They try to make it all better. Sometimes though, love just isn't enough. Sometimes you just don't know what to do to help your child. It can leave feeling kind of helpless.
You are not alone. These feelings are very common to many parents. I know, I've been there. I know from both personal and professional experience that it often takes a few minor changes to make major changes in your child's life. No matter the nature of his struggle, be it autism, adhd, or some other challenge, you can learn how to support your child. You have what it takes to make things better.
My name is Erik Young. I have spent the last 20 years working with special individuals and their families facing incredible challenges ranging from autism to head trauma. I know from personal experience the challenges inherent in parenting special needs children. I've been where you're at. Please, do not hesitate another second. Contact me to schedule a free consultation. Let's see if I can help you help your child.
More Info About My Practice
I charge $150/50 minute session, although I also offer special pricing packages to meet all levels of need. I see individuals, families in couples and am willing to come to the home to do some sessions. I will provide a SuperBill for billing to out-of-network providers.
Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With
While I'm qualified and skilled at providing general "talk therapy or counseling, I have three main areas of particular expertise and training.
My experience over the past 15 years working with children, teens and adults with autism and intellectual disability gives me experince in working with this challenging population. The past 8 years working as a foster parent of autistic children gives me expereince of what parenting these special children is like -- boht the social isolation and frustraions, but also the incredible , one-of-a-kind expereinces you can get nowhere else. As a result of this, I've developed strategies that allow me to be a good father to my kids, a good husband to my wife and still have a fulfilling life for myself. I can share these strategies with others walking the same path.
In my professional life, I've also had the challenge and priviledge of helping others overcome their expereince of trauma. I've had special training in trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy. If you are struggling with issues stemming from trauma reactions in your life, I can help.
Finally, I based on the above professional and personal expereinces, I have developed some techniques for managing and reducing stress. Again, if this is soemthing you are struggling with, I can help.
Why Going to Therapy Does Not Mean You are Weak or Flawed
Life is complicated, to say the least. Sometimes, we can get through on our own...and that's fine.. However, sometimes things can only be accomplished when one works with other people. working with others to solve problems is priobably one of the most human things to do. In the case of asking for help, it is also the brave thing to do. It is not easy to admit that one is struggling to someone else. However, doing so can be the first step towards true relief from pain and misery. Furthermore, by seeking help, one can turn an area of perceived weakness iand make it a strength. People seek help all the time. If we get a cold, we see a doctor. This is not weakness. If an athlete wants to perform better, they see a coach. If something in your house breaks down, you call a professional to come fix it if you don't have the knowledge or time to do so yourself. Seeking therapy is essentially no different than these other examples of seeking out the specialized knowledge of a professional to help solve a problem. Rather than being a sign of weakness...it's a sign of wisdom. It's a sign of a person who wants to change and do so as successfully as possible.
Clinicians who offer sliding scale payment structures may offer lower or reduced fees based on an individual's ability to pay. Please contact this clinician for more details regarding their fees or sliding scale policy.