Individual Therapy by Age Groups

Dr. Goonan counsels people of all ages. The needs of the individual varies by age.

Children (up to 10)

• Majority of interventions are behavioral and cognitive-behavioral in nature
  
• Individual processing of traumatic situations or difficult life circumstances
• Neurocognitive developmental work and skill acquisition (including social skill development)
• Parenting, parent training, and understanding of temperament
• Parent cooperation is critical – parents are primary to successful intervention, therapist is mainly a consultant

Pre-teen (10-13)

• Children begin their transition to increased personal independence and the formation of an identity separate from their parents
  
• Child as co-scientist – learning about the self and behavior patterns
• Contingency contracts for behavioral problems and increased cooperation
  
• Social Situations Groups - shapes the development of self and social styles
• Parent meetings are important in paving the way for best success in the transition to a smoother adolescence

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Teenager (13-18)

• Crucial transitional period of separation from parents and identity development
• Peer relationships and the development of initial life goals are primary to the adolescent
• Maintaining a healthy connection to the family at home can be a difficult balancing act for adolescent and family
• Personality (self-concept and self-presentation) begins to solidify in this time

Group, individual, and family interventions focusing on:

• Identity development
• Healthy peer relationships
• Initial life goals and directions
• Responsibility to self and others
• Successful individuation from and connection with the family

Young Adult (18-30)

• The continued transition to full adult independence is primary
• Role transitions present new obstacles
  • High school to college to career
  • Life goal development and follow-through
  • Individual self to sharing the self (relationship development)
  • Parenting
• Life coaching for self-growth, life planning, and professional development
• Identity issues as they pertain to developing independence and relationships
• Understanding the self in an intimate relationship
  • Partner selection
  • Pre-marital counseling
  • Marital/couples therapy

Adult

• Independence from parents has been achieved
  
• Role transitions present continued obstacles
  • Career development
  • Life goal development and follow-through
  • Individual self to sharing the self (relationship development)
  • Parenting
• Later life transitions present new challenges
  • Children no longer need you
  • Rediscovering your spouse
  • Reflections on your life
  • Second phase of career or second career
  • Losing your parents
• Life coaching for self-growth, life planning, and professional development
• Couples/Marital counseling
• Phase of life and role transitions therapies

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