Our goal is to help you achieve your goals and improve your quality of life. In a comfortable and supportive atmosphere, a highly personalized approach tailored to clients' individual needs is provided to help you attain the personal growth you are striving for.
Areas of specialization include:
ADHD Counseling
ADHD (now includes ADD) is a real medical condition which is characterized by persistent short attention span, distractibility, disorganization, procrastination and problems with staying focused, judgment and impulse control. It affects children, adolescents and adults, and can cause significant problems in daily functioning. While the characteristics are similar, it affects individuals differently, as does treatment. Medication is one aspect of treatment, but ADHD counseling can help significantly with coping strategies and insight into how the condition affects you, as an individual, and how to turn ADHD into an asset instead of a burden.
Depression is a serious medical condition that affects thoughts, feelings, and the ability to function in everyday life. Depression can occur at any age. It can take many forms, and affects individuals differently. In contrast to the normal emotional experiences of sadness, loss, or frustration, clinical depression is persistent and can interfere significantly with a person's ability to function. Depression needs to be taken seriously. If you are experiencing depression, or suspect your child is depressed, seek treatment now. The consequences of allowing depression to worsen can be devastating.
At NewStarts, we have an extra special place in our hearts for teenagers. Adolescence is a difficult time for all young people. The innocence of childhood begins to fade and the challenges of life become more apparent. It is a time when the young person is learning how to solve their own problems, how to make decisions for themselves, and trying to find where they 'fit in'. It is a time of self-exploration and self-doubt; a time of wanting to be accepted, but not wanting to stand out; a time of questioning authority, self, and family values. It is confusing, frustrating, and exciting all at the same time. The teen years are a turbulent time in any generation, but even more so in these times of uncertainty. There is a great deal of stress for our youth in these days, with school responsibilities, family needs, social distractions, confusing media messages, and tough economic times. Adolescents and teens are at great risk for anxiety, depression, helplessness, and stress, that can easily get out of control. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among teens; cutting and other forms of self-mutilation are rampant. We simply must pay special attention to the mental health and stress levels of our youth.
careerconstruction
Career Construction was specially designed by NewStarts to help young people find their own career path. This is much more than just finding a job. Career Construction concentrates on the future, but focuses on taking advantage of opportunities now to better prepare for that future. It is a multi-phased program offered in three different levels of services. We start by helping the young person discover their interests and passions, help them learn about careers that are in line with their interests, set basic goals for the future, then make a plan to meet those goals. Research has proven that students who have a clearer idea of where they are going in regards to their future are much less likely to make poor choices and are more motivated to succeed in school. Taking advantage of the opportunities schools have to offer will save the student time and resources in reaching their education and career goals, AND save parents money! We want to see students be successful - in school, in their career, and in life.
Career Planning
Career Planning is designed for those who are feeling unfulfilled or dissatisfied in their present job or career. You may not have had or been given the opportunity to pursue a career path that you found interesting or inspiring. Too often, we simply take advantage of what is offered, with little planning or forethought. This is usually due to lack of knowledge or know-how, not lack of motivation. Then later in life, the emptiness and grind of an undesirable career begin to take a real toll on mental and physical health. There are choices - and this is where we can help. We can help you look at all aspects of your current career path and decide if it is one you choose to continue or something you need to change. The choice is yours.
Career and Life are not mutually exclusive. Life affects Career and vice versa. Stress or problems in our personal lives can affect our productivity or satisfaction at work. Problems or stress on the job can affect our personal lives and our families. Career Planning enables you to take a hard look at where your career is headed, and if that is a direction that is beneficial to your life.
Educational Testing and Consulting
We provide a variety of Educational Testing and Consulting at NewStarts, including IQ and ability testing. Our diagnostician, Tammy Sperling, is a specialist in educational testing and assessment of learning disabilities. She can work with you and your child in determining areas of academic weakness, and can provide strategies for improvements, as well as how to work with the your child's school.
Stress Management
Stress is a part of our everyday lives, and can usually be managed satisfactorily. However, stress can sometimes become overwhelming and can have serious consequences on your health. Stress has been linked to all kinds of physical ailments - heart problems, panic attacks, digestive issues, sleep disorders, and many more. We live in a very fast paced, highly demanding world, and it is easy to get swept away by the many demands on your time and energy. If you are overwhelmed by the from life or career or both, it is time to re-evaluate your circumstances, before stress wreaks havoc on your health, and affects your loved ones.