Crosscare has today (Monday 13th) officially opened its full time teen counselling service in Dun Laoghaire, for teenagers and their families facing crisis. Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mary Hanafin performed the official opening. (2.30pm)
Crosscare is the social care agency of the Dublin Diocese.
The new service was launched following a request from the local HSE Child care manager to provide help to local teenagers and their families who find themselves in need of professional help.
Teen Counselling, at is premises on York Road, has a full time team with a secretary, psychologists and a social worker available to those who need it. A consultant adolescent psychiatrist is also available.
Teen Counseling has been operating its free service for Dublin teenagers for over 35 years and demands on its service increase annually.
Last year alone over 400 young people between the ages of 12 and 18 received professional help from Teen Counselling. The service is unique, in that it is adolescent as opposed to problem specific in their treatment. Getting access to the service can be done by a parent, family doctor, school staff, social workers or youth workers. There is no requirement for a professional referral.
Teen Counselling provides help to young people who are experiencing behavioural problems either at home or in school.
Many families using the service need help with alcohol and drug use, difficult communication patterns, coping with violence. Others need help adjusting to a traumatic life event, bereavement, parental separation, abusive experiences including bullying, and anxiety problems. Half of their clients are dealing with family conflict situations or separation of parents.
Teen Counselling considers working with parents as pivotal in their approach and has found that their locally based, free service with no stigma to attending has encouraged self referral and the prevention of problems escalating.
· The new Dun Laoghaire service is open from 9.30am – 5.00pm
· Address: 72 York Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
· Telephone (01) 2844852
· E-mail dunlaoghaireteenc@crosscare.ie
· Address: 72 York Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
· Telephone (01) 2844852
· E-mail dunlaoghaireteenc@crosscare.ie
