is for Children, Adolescents, Adults and Families
Sage Counseling can help with a variety of challenges. Our specialties are:
- Autism
- Trauma and PTSD
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Weight Loss
Here are some of the issues we can offer our help with:
- ADHD
- Addiction
- Anger Management
- Antisocial Personality
- Asperger’s Syndrome
- Behavioral Issues
- Borderline Personality
- Career Counseling
- Child or Adolescent
- Chronic Illness
- Chronic Impulsivity
- Chronic Pain
- Codependency
- Coping Skills
- Developmental Disorders
- Domestic Violence
- Emotional Disturbance
- Family Conflict
- Intellectual Disability
- Learning Disabilities
- Life Coaching
- Narcissistic Personality
- Obesity
- Parenting
- Racial Identity
- Relationship Issues
- Self Esteem
- Self-Harming
- Sexual Addiction
- Spirituality
- Stress
is for Children and Teens With Autism
Autism is the result of differences in the brain. Autism Spectrum Disorder is often evidenced by differentiation in the physical formations of the brain. Autism is classified as a developmental disorder.
The behaviors of Autism Spectrum Disorder:
- perseverations (frequently repeated activities)
- obsession and ritual
- complex activities including objects
- difficulty understanding in context
- tantrums, and others
may be evident in infancy, but they typically become clearer in early childhood.
Children afflicted by Autism have difficulty with social interaction, reading social cues and overall communication skills. These disabilities often lead them to experience social anxiety which is sometimes aggravated in communication. Autism sufferers are frequently misunderstood by the people around them and regularly have difficulty making and keeping friends.
At Sage Counseling, we understand the challenges of Autism. We treat the client as an individual who sees the world from a different lens, not as an Autistic patient. Ours is a strength-based perspective.
It has been my pleasure to have worked with children and teens with Autism. Instead of ostracizing Autistic individuals for eccentric behaviors, we embrace the client and seek to share the lens through which she or he sees the world, so that we may better share their experience with them.
~Paul M. Bertolino, LCSW
Executive Director, CEO
Utilizing the perspective of Humanistic Theory and engaging unconditional positive regard, we create a safe place for the afflicted child or teen to be. We create a relationship, a trust bond in and through which the client can feel safe to share. Having created this sanctuary, the Autism sufferer hopefully no longer feels, so sharply, the pangs of isolation, but now, more the stability and reassurance of interdependence.
Depending on the depth of disability, whether it be Activities of Daily Living (ADL) or Interpersonal Communication Skills (IPC), verbal communication, written communication, appropriate boundaries, tantrums or “stimming” (flapping, rocking, pacing…) we endeavor to meet the client where he or she is at, emotionally, psychologically and intellectually. In the counseling psychotherapy based approach to support for Autism Spectrum Disorder, we seek to direct the client to learn new skills, enhance good skills and how to substitute good behaviors for those that are not as healthy or adaptive. The goal is that the client becomes freer, efficacious, and self-reliant as we collaborate and and enhance his or her life.
