Teen Counseling

Each resident meets weekly with a designated counselor who utilizes a Biblical Model of Counseling in approach. Each full-time on-site counselor is responsible for the emotional care of approximately 10-15 students.

Counselors lead two group sessions and an individual counseling session with the student each week. They are intricately involved in the lives of the young people counseled, as well as with the parents, becoming the "point of contact" for each family.  Parents are phoned each week after the individual counseling session to provide an update and to discuss important issues. Counselors also meet with the parents during the on-site retreats and family weekends and communicate with the family via email. 

The goal of the counselor's interaction with the family and the training by Mark Gregston during the three Parent Retreats (one approximately every 3 months) is to ensure proper expectations regarding the behavior of the teen at each stage of the program and to help the family prepare for the eventual return of the teen to home.  For instance, parents minds are set at ease by expecting in advance to get an earful of anger and resentment from the student in the early days of their stay at Heartlight. When a parent knows what to expect, they can more readily deal with the student on the proper level -- to love them unconditionally -- and not get upset with what is said. They also are more likely to be firm with the student that they must stay with the program until the counselor says they are ready to leave, which helps the student engage in the program quicker, reducing the amount of time needed at Heartlight.

Counselors constantly interact with other Heartlight staff regarding the progress of the resident's emotions and behavior.  The counselor determines, with the assistance of house staff and the administrative team, when a resident is ready to move up a step in the Level program.

Heartlight's resident counseling for teens, parent training, and 24/7 observation of the student ensures not only changed behavior, but also a changed environment upon the teen's return home.