Seeking Adolescent Counselor in SW Fort Worth Area

Hi S.,

Sorry to hear about what is going on with your daughter. I have a 7 year old and worry about the teenage years myself. I had a neice who did basically the same thing from about 11 to 14. She was sneaking out; drugs; drinking; sex; cutting herself; lying and the whole nine yards. She is now 16 and doing very well. She just recently got baptisted and loves the lord. That's to tell you there can be light at the end of the tunnel. I would have to ask her Mom what they did as far as counseling but they live in Houston so probably would not be of any help to you.

I can tell you that First Baptist Arlington has a counseling center you might want to check out. Also some other counselors you might check with are Cathy McGinnis - ###-###-####; Amy Tinch - ###-###-#### or Brenda Roberts - ###-###-####.

Good luck and I hope that helps.

J.

S.,
The lies, outrageous behavior, and sneaking out are what teenagers do, although this sounds pretty extreme. The cutting is a different matter. It needs to be addressed right this minute. Here is a link I found for you that kind of explains cutting and why teens do it, and resources you can contact for help. Good luck, all of us are praying for your family!
https://secure02.kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/...

E. K.

S., 1st realize you are already ahead by being a Christian; 2nd remember, your heavenly Father cares about the hairs on your head, how much more your daughter? I would seek HIM to whom nothing is impossible for wisdom and direction. Your daughter is crying out for help and she is not being heard; I'm not saying you don't try to reach out to her, I'm sure you are. The problem with most of us Christians is the first thing we try to do is tell the troubled or hurting about Christ, or use Him as a tool for admonishment. This only works to make them angrier so the situation gets worse. I've been in a similar situation, having been widowed when my daughter was 13; we went through a very rebellious period where she could have been killed, but for the mercy and grace of God and a mother's prayers. When my daughter would lash out at me I would never respond in anger, this is what they want, it gives them a justifiable reason for their actions. Instead I would tell her the truth, that I loved her, that I was scared for her; that I did not want anything to happen to her that the world is mean and people will use you, lie to you and hurt you to get what they want. I also sought professional help and put her in a hospital for troubled teens. It was not a Christian place but fortunately the woman she was dealing with had Christian principals. Ask God to lead you to the right professionls that will help your daughter. And don't just leave her there, go visit her as often as allowed; don't take her gifts, she will see that as bribery; just take her the things she says she needs and that YOU determine are a necesity. After 3 months my daughter reverted to the sweet girl I had lost when her daddy died. God bless you S. and I will pray for your daughter. I'm in the FW area as well; my email is ____@____.com Sincerely, P.

We just recently had my son at Sundance Behavioral Health Center in Fort Worth. I cannot say enough about their program...its wonderful and so are everyone there for your kids. Its outpatient so your child will do M-F during the day and they provide transportation. Our insurance covered it and most do have them on their plan. ###-###-#### http://www.sundancebhc.com/
Please give them a call. They can have your daughter assessed and admitted all in one day. They have dealt with it all. If for some reason your daughter needs something more like inpatient, they can help you with that,too. Best of luck to you guys. I know its not easy. They also offer weekly one on one with you and your child and a family meeting to meet and discuss with other parents in your shoes.

Please seek a psychiatrist as a counselor may not be able to help your daughter in the way she needs. She may need medication. But also, if you do meet with a psychiatrist ask him to find out if she may have D.I.D. which is dissociative identity disorder, something I dealt with many years ago. I say that due to the cutting she is doing. Its not that she is just trying to get your attention! I have known women who were cutters and talked about it with them and this is what they tell me. They ususally have had some type of traumatic event happen in their younger years and the mind sometimes tries to convince the child to do things to "protect" the child even if it is self-destructive. I hope this helps....please address the cutting first and foremost as this could advance to more serious actions. God Bless You and your family.....I will pray for you!

Lake ARlington BAptist Church has a counseling center called IMPACT. Their number is ###-###-#### and address is 2912 Little Rd Arl 76016. They have wide variety of counselors that would be able to help your daughter.

Praying for your family.