The thought of seeking support through Counseling Services may feel uncomfortable to an individual who has relied upon their own strengths and resources to overcome life’s challenges and difficulties. The strengths that have carried you through your life are fundamental to your successful counseling process. Indeed, the intent of counseling is never to discount or take away from the crucial importance and role they play in an individual’s recovery. Rather, effective counseling begins with identifying first, and then building upon the personal strengths and the positive resources an individual has available to them.
An individual’s needs may stem from cultural or spiritual values, from present or past relationships, or from specific experiences. Negative self-talk can be the result of a history of neglect, abandonment, or trauma. Moreover, just because one is physically safe does not mean one always feels safe. It’s important for an individual to feel safe with their therapist; thus, a key factor in counseling is the development of a trusting client/therapist relationship. It’s perfectly okay to interview several counselors by phone or in person before choosing a counselor that feels right for you.
Oftentimes, the healing process begins when you are able to discover, understand, and value the inner gifts that have always been in your possession. With the support of the mental health professional’s compassion and knowledge of therapeutic approaches and interventions, you can begin your courageous journey of personal self-discovery, empowerment, and healing. And by learning how to repair and strengthen your relationships, hopefully you’ll also begin to experience a sense of redemption, reconciliation, and renewal.
Social distancing and the risk of COVID-19 infection has created an unexpectedly long and drawn-out interruption of “normal” life for so many adults in our community. With the elimination of hours spent on daily commuting, social/community activities, or exercise routines, the extra time on our hands has resulted in more time together with family members as well as more time alone. That can certainly be a positive experience for many of us but at times it can also become very difficult and challenging. Anger, grief, loneliness, anxiety, depression, escalation of pre-existing mental health symptoms, an increase in domestic and intimate partner violence, and the practice of unhealthy coping strategies through addictive behaviors have become pervasive during this unpredictable and frightening time.
KCSC understands the overwhelming pressures that you may be facing. We believe that we are all in this together. We are available to provide support by connecting you with comprehensive “one stop” services, including:
Social Services:
If you feel that any of the above services would be helpful for you, please do not hesitate to contact us to speak with a social service coordinator. We also encourage you to reach out to your local community for additional resources. Let us help to connect you with any supportive services you may need.
How is your teen coping during COVID-19?
Check-in often to assess the emotional health of your teen-aged kids. Discuss how they’re feeling and managing, and watch out for any signs of struggle or difficulty. Keep in mind that these signs are not the same for everyone; different people show different signs when trying to deal with life’s challenges.
It’s normal during this time for teens to feel sad or even to cry sometimes because they miss their friends or because sports and musical productions were canceled. However, your teen likely could benefit from extra support if they have:
Remember
Parents set the tone in their household. Expressing extreme doom or fear can affect teens. Try to stay positive and relay consistent messages that even though times are challenging, a brighter future lies ahead. Keep lines of communication open between you and your teen, and don’t hesitate to talk with your pediatrician about ways to help maintain your family’s mental health during this difficult time.
A word about suicide risk in teens
Not everyone who considers suicide will talk about it, and not everyone who talks about suicide will act on their words. However, any talk about suicide should be taken seriously. If you are worried about your teen, it is critical to make your home safe by removing weapons and ammunition from the house and securing medications in a locked cabinet.
Seek help immediately by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or texting the Crisis Text Line by texting “TALK” to 741741.
Reserve 911 for situations where self-harming actions are actually happening or you believe may be imminent. In a non-crisis situation, talk with your pediatrician about any concerns you have about your teen’s mental health.
Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)
KCSC’s therapeutic interventions for children and adolescents are TBRI-informed. TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) is an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention, designed to meet the complex needs of children who have had hard experiences. TBRI uses empowering principles to address physical needs, connecting principles for attachment needs, and correcting principles to disarm fear-based behaviors. While the intervention is based on over 50 years of attachment, sensory processing, and neuroscience research, the heartbeat of TBRI is connection.
“When you connect to the heart of a child, everything is possible.” – Dr. Karyn Purvis
Children can struggle with simple matters such as getting up in the morning, turning off the television and going to bed at night. When children don’t have the life skills to understand or share their emotional struggles, they may resort to behaviors such as crying, arguing with a sibling, defiance, withdrawal.
As a parent, you are best positioned to notice any changes in your child’s behaviors, thoughts, feelings, relationships, or facial expressions. You don’t need to be an expert to support your child. However, a mental health professional can use their skills to help support you and to help your child develop and strengthen their life skills. If you have been noticing changes in your child’s daily behaviors that indicate ongoing fear, anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem, we encourage you to speak with a mental health professional to share your concerns and to seek further assistance.
Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)
KCSC’s therapeutic interventions for children and adolescents are TBRI-informed. TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) is an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention, designed to meet the complex needs of children who have had hard experiences. TBRI uses empowering principles to address physical needs, connecting principles for attachment needs, and correcting principles to disarm fear-based behaviors. While the intervention is based on over 50 years of attachment, sensory processing, and neuroscience research, the heartbeat of TBRI is connection.
KCSC’s goal is to develop and create solutions to stop domestic violence in our community. To assist callers in a confidential and time-sensitive manner, KCSC operates a 24/7 victim services hotline. We also offer a range of linguistically competent and culturally sensitive counseling service for victims of domestic violence. Case management is provided by a trained professional social worker.
KCSC Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-888-987-4561
Please visit our Victim Services page for more resources and information.
KCSC is a Fairfax County-designated parenting class and anger management counseling organization. KCSC provides court ordered parenting classes to parents who are separated. Also, KCSC provides court-ordered anger management education and counseling to individuals who are having difficulties in their relationships with family members and others.
KCSC is a non-profit organization with a mission to assist and empower Asian Americans and new immigrants in the metropolitan DC area.
KCSC Headquarters:
7700 Little River Tnpk. Suite 406
Annandale, VA 22003
© 2023 Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington All Rights Reserved.
(Consultations are available in Korean and English)