Garret Patterson MS, LMFTA
Originally a Texas native, I learned that I was interested in becoming a therapist, after going to therapy at the age of 16. Those counseling sessions quickly turned from talking about my personal struggles, to long conversations about how someone would become a therapist. From there I was hooked, taking every chance I could to … Continue reading
Self-Harm: A Sign of a Hurting Adolescent
For most people, self-harm, such as cutting, burning, scratching, and bruising is an obvious sign your teenager is hurting. Out of all the signs that point to a hurting teenager, this one usually gets attention the fastest, and parents are quick to respond. Probably the most difficult part for parents is trying to understand why … Continue reading
Fighting with Family: A Sign of a Hurting Teenager
Maybe you, or people around you have labeled your adolescent as a defiant kid. The signs are all there, and in your mind, it is an easy assessment. There never seems to be peace in the house when they are around. Whatever room they walk into, yelling and arguing will soon pour from the door, … Continue reading
Signs Your Teenager is Hurting
Sometimes we become so focused on the effect of our teenager’s behavior that we miss the feeling behind it. We get frustrated with how the fighting with siblings causes disruption in the home, and we focus so intently on stopping the behavior that we miss what is going on inside our kid. Don’t get me … Continue reading
Why is My Teenager Acting Like This?
Often times the behavior of our teenagers can leave us confused and overwhelmed. We scratch our heads and desperately seek answers from wherever we can find them. Whether the behavior is fighting with you and their siblings, harming themselves, withdrawing in a depressed manner, or just simply being angry all the time, we want to … Continue reading
The Significance of the Larch Name
As I present the name Larch Counseling to people, they often wonder if the name has any significance, and it just so happens that it does. When I was thinking of names for my counseling practice, I was drawn to the name because it is a unique name, but also because the Larch is my … Continue reading