Many of our clients here at Upward Call Counseling Services are children. We work with kids who have emotional, behavioral and relationship problems. Often, these youngsters are confused, angry and very needy. Underneath much of that negative acting out and trantruming are scared little children calling out for attention. They need extra help to stop fighting the adults who are trying to help them.

Concerned parents bring their children to Upward Call. They do not want to see the destructive behavioral or emotional patterns continue. The counselor attempts to work closely with families to assess the symptoms and try to get at the root of the problem. We believe that Family Therapy helps families learn to communicate and function again with love, trust and respect. It is important that the whole family be included, not just the symptomatic child.

We also focus on the individual problems of each child. Often the children being brought in for counseling are hurt and afraid. They may be suffering with hidden emotional wounds, confusion and fears. They may have regressed behaviorally and need help maturing developmentally. Many youth have learned to “put their bad foot first” showing others a negative, disrespectful attitude or outrageous behaviors. They put up a defensive guard that keeps others from knowing their inner pain and confusion, but the consequence can be isolation, depression, anxiety, angry reactions and loneliness.

As the caring counselor reaches out, the child may be slow to trust. They do not want to let anyone know they are hurting. They are cautious to risk trusting, hoping and loving again. One of the best ways around this defensive, protective stance is by bringing the child into a fun, loving environment where they can let down their guard. Children love interacting in the Play and Art Therapy Room where there are toys, games, arts and crafts and fun stuff! They child has fun in therapy, and they begin to trust the caring counselor. They begin to have hope. The child opens up about inner hurts and fears. Play and Art Therapy gives the child something to look forward to each week, instead of the child dreading having to come talk about their problems. We love kids and families here at Upward Call Counseling Services, and our goal is to help restore peace, love and respect to the family.

Poem written by 13-year old boy:

I wish I had a somebody to

Love

I wish I had somebody

That I could really hold

I wish I had a somebody to talk to

Somebody I could trust.

I wish I had somebody that could talk to me

I know I could listen

I wish I had someone to care about

I wish I had somebody to really care about me