Services for Children and Families

Many children have mental health problems that interfere with normal development and functioning. In the U.S. today, one in ten children suffer from a mental disorder severe enough to cause some level of impairment.

At the Kurt and Barbara Gronowski Clinic we offer evaluation and counseling services for children, adolescents, and families.

When to Seek Help for Your Child or Adolescent

Parents are usually the first to recognize that their child or adolescent has a problem with emotions or behavior. In other cases, it is someone else who raises concerns such as a teacher or family friend. It is often difficult for parents to know what types of behavior are considered “normal” in terms of the child’s age and developmental level as opposed to behaviors that may require intervention.

Mental health professionals often evaluate behaviors and emotional symptoms in terms of how often they occur (frequency), how intense they are (severity), how long they last (duration), how many different settings they occur in (pervasiveness), and whether or not they are interfering with child or adolescent’s daily functioning (functional impairment).

The decision to seek professional help can be difficult and painful for a parent. Parents are not always clear about what should be done and how soon. Many parents worry that they may be judged as inadequate or blamed for their child’s problems. Other parents feel very frustrated and alone in dealing with their child or adolescent’s problems and may think that no one can understand what their family is experiencing.

Symptoms and Signs of many Childhood Behavioral and Emotional Problems

• Marked decline in school performance and/or poor grades in school despite trying very hard.
• Excessive worry, fear, or anxiety. It is important to remember that all children and adolescents worry. Fear and anxiety regarding certain situations or things is quite common in childhood. However, when the child or adolescent’s worry, fear, or anxiety seems excessive and begins to interfere with their day-to-day functioning, it may be time to seek professional help. Some examples include: a child’s regular refusal to go to school; difficulty going or falling to sleep; reluctance to take part in activities that are normal for the child's age; physical complaints not accounted for by a medical condition; not wanting to interact with peers; feeling compelled to engage in specific repetitive or ritualistic behaviors (e.g., having to walk in a circle three times before doing something, counting, cleaning, checking), or thoughts that come into one’s mind unexpectedly and won’t go away.
• Depression shown by sustained, prolonged negative mood and attitude, irritability, or loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyed activities. These symptoms can be accompanied by change in appetite, difficulty sleeping, poor concentration, or thoughts of death.
• Behavior problems that go beyond mischief and rebellion and have lasted for more than six months. These behaviors include: persistent disobedience, anger, or aggression; provocative opposition to authority figures; harming or threatening themselves, other people, or pets; damaging or destroying property; lying or stealing; threats to run away; or frequent tantrums and arguments.
• Hyperactivity; fidgeting; constant movement beyond regular playing. Difficulty focusing attention; impulsive, and/or easily distracted.
• Persistent nightmares.
• Experiencing grief for a long time after a loss or death
• Feelings of worthlessness or that no one likes or cares about them.
• Inability to cope with problems and daily activities.
• Sexual acting out.
• Abuse of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Intense fear of becoming obese with no relationship to actual body weight. Purging food or restricting eating. Excessive exercising.
• Strange thoughts and feelings; and unusual behaviors.

General Treatment Approach:
What to Expect When you Contact the Gronowski Clinic

When a parent or family member first contacts the Gronowski Clinic they will be asked to participate in a brief phone intake interview with one of our student therapists. During the phone intake you will be asked to provide us with some basic demographic information regarding your family and child, and to describe your reasons for seeking counseling at this time. During this phone interview you will have the opportunity to ask questions about the Gronowski Clinic and its policies and procedures. If it is determined that the Clinic can provide the appropriate services for your child and family, the next step will be for you to schedule an in-person intake at the clinic.

For the in-person intake, we ask that all relevant family members participate. This usually includes both parents and the child. In some cases, siblings, other family members, and even extended family are encouraged to participate in the initial intake interview.

Your student intake therapist will begin by taking a history from the parent(s) about the child's development and about the family structure. The therapist will meet with the entire family together and then separately with the parents and then the child. As parents you will be asked to complete some paper and pencil assessment measures that will provide your therapist with information about your child’s current emotional and behavioral functioning. Your child will also be asked to complete some assessment measures, depending on their age and developmental level.

Effective treatment may consist of parent counseling, individual psychotherapy for the child, family therapy or a combination of the above, depending on the age of the child and the nature of the problem. We work collaboratively with the family on determining which treatment options will best serve your child, adolescent, and/or family.