PROCEED, Inc

Expert Counselors Mean Effective Counseling

Adolescents have different perspectives, goals, and priorities than adults. As such, it is essential that any counseling be age-appropriate and sensitive to these differences. Our staff members have extensive experience working with adolescents and a passion for mentoring and guiding children and teenagers. Counselors follow state-approved guidelines for counseling and conduct sessions according to a goal-reaching model in which smaller milestones build up to larger objectives. Counselors work with youth to develop plans that directly address their needs and they can directly relate to. Youth are encouraged to become personally involved in the process and to take responsibility for asking questions and bringing up concerns that are of special importance to them. 

The goal of these counseling sessions is to encourage positive youth development and to instill healthy habits that will last well beyond adolescence. They teach teenagers, ages 13 to 18, to understand and therefore manage problematic behaviors, ranging from drug and alcohol abuse to violent conduce and gang involvement. 

Counselors address the emotional, social, educational, and family needs of the individual in a private, one-on-one setting. All counseling takes into account the individual’s developmental stage, his or her family context, and external stressors and expectations imposed on him or her. The program also offers group sessions that reinforce positive activities and gang awareness.

Counselors maintain communication with and report progress to work and schools, parole officers, and parents, as appropriate. There is a parenting skills component that the client’s parents may choose to participate in as well.  

For more information about PROCEED’s youth counseling services or to learn how you can get involved, contact Elizabeth Piñeros at (908) 351-7727, ext. 251.