develop confidence

Special Needs is defined as “any of various difficulties (such as a physical, emotional, behavioral, or learning disability or impairment) that causes an individual to require additional or specialized services or accommodations (such as in education or recreation)” (Source: Merriam-Webster).

In counseling, every person is unique and differences are celebrated and utilized to develop confidence and self-esteem. Often times people with disabilities (such as autism, learning disorders, physical disabilities, etc.) lack self-confidence, especially children in a school environment. The goal of counseling is to work towards developing social skills, developing self-esteem, behavioral management, and recognizing emotions in order to develop the the confidence to express themselves freely.

Our Approach to counseling

Many times, individuals with special needs are truly authentic and honest, which is a key part of counseling. Typically the counseling approach is extremely individualized to each person’s needs based on presenting concerns and skills they are hoping to develop. An example may be a child in elementary school has autism and requires an aid, but the aid is having trouble managing the behavior during a certain class, which is causing him to miss the class frequently, putting him behind in that subject. Counseling would include a game or hobby that the child enjoys to help him focus and remain comfortable and calm. During each session, the counselor would discuss school, friends, family, hobbies, or other areas of life with the child, and the counselor would address the behavior struggles with the child. The counselor would work with the child to understand what causes the behavior, what would help prevent the behavior, and different ways he could cope or calm down in the moment. Overtime, the counselor would work with the child with the goal of reducing the behavior and developing coping mechanisms to help the child remain focused and calm at school. This is just one specific example of what counseling might look like for a specific issue. A child might come to counseling with no specific issue, but might be hoping to develop confidence in school and life due to a learning disorder. Counseling can help, even if it is small differences over time.

how counseling can help

At Oak Mountain Counseling, we understand that each person is beautifully and uniquely made, and our goal is to celebrate each difference. We are here to provide compassionate support, helping you find a path toward confidence and healing, so that you can become the best version of you.

Counseling can help you by providing:

• Coping Strategies: Learn coping mechanisms to manage the overwhelming emotions, fostering resilience and emotional well-being.

• Self-Esteem and Confidence: Develop the self-esteem and confidence to fully express yourself if a healthy way and feel confident about your capabilities.

• Individualized Support: Counselor works one-on-one with you, offering personalized support to develop confidence and life skills at your own pace.