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www.FredericksburgParent.NET 15 www.FredericksburgParent.NET 3 In children and teens, many clients struggle with emo onal regula on, peer rela onships, or low self-esteem. Parents, meanwhile, may seek support for paren ng stress, communica on difficul es, or naviga ng complex family dynamics. Treatment may include cogni ve-behavioral therapy (CBT), play thera- py, skills-building for emo onal regula on, parent coaching, and family sessions when appropriate. Compass' goal is to create a safe, suppor ve space where clients can build insight, strengthen coping skills, improve rela onships, and move toward las ng emo onal wellness. Another major service offered by Compass is Applied Behavior Anal- ysis (ABA) therapy, which supports children and young adults with developmental or behavioral challenges, including au sm spectrum disorders, ADHD, and other diagnoses. ABA therapy focuses on building skills and addressing behavioral gaps that may affect a child's ability to func on in everyday environments, such as school, daycare, or the community. "Our job is really to help clients develop the skill sets that they don't have and fill any gaps that they need to help them to be as successful as possible in their social environment," Gordon explained. Compass also offers care coordina on, as each child's needs are unique and treatment plans are highly individualized. Therapy may include parents, caregivers, and other important people in the child's life to create a coordinated approach that supports everyone involved. Gordon said, "It's not just the client that it's impac ng. It's the family, it's their community, it's so many people, so we want to look at that whole approach." Recognizing When Support Is Needed "I think that people feel like they have to wait un l it's extreme," she said. "I think they see it as more of a last resort versus a service that they could use when things are a li le more mild." Gordon emphasized that families do not need to wait and can seek help at any stage, even if they're unsure whether or not something is an issue. Early support can prevent smaller issues from becoming larger ones and can give families tools to navigate challenges more confidently. Gordon encouraged parents who feel unsure about what their child might need to simply start the conversa on. If families are ques oning what's going on, it's always be er to reach out sooner rather than later, and an ini al screening can help determine what a family might need. Ask the Expert "Even if we determine one service isn't the right fit, we can guide them in the right direc on," Gordon said. Parents can fill out a referral form on the Compass website. Compass does not require a doctor-recommended referral, so families can self-refer. Once a parent submits basic informa on, an intake special- ist will follow up to discuss concerns and determine which services are right for the family. During the intake process, staff mem- bers walk parents through screening ques ons and explain what different diagnoses or behaviors might look like in everyday life. A clinician may conduct a more in-depth assessment to be er understand the child's needs as well. Suppor ng Parents, Too While much of Compass' work focuses on children, Gordon emphasized that parents also need support as they navigate these challenges. "We're always saying you can't pour from an empty cup, and it's very true," she said. Caring for a child with emo onal or behavioral needs can be challeng- ing, and many parents feel pressure to priori ze their child's well-be- ing above their own, but taking me for self-care, even in small ways, can make a meaningful difference. Gordon said that even just finding small breaks in the day can help. "It doesn't have to be a whole hour. Some mes, it's just taking 15 minutes to breathe and take care of yourself," she said. In many cases, families may even use mul ple Compass services at once. For example, a child might receive ABA therapy while a parent par cipates in outpa ent counseling, crea ng a support system that strengthens the en re family. Advoca ng for Your Family Gordon encourages parents to trust their ins ncts and advocate for their children and for themselves. She emphasized that if a parent feels like something isn't quite right, they should ask ques ons and seek addi onal opinions. Local resources such as schools, pediatricians, and community service boards can also help connect families with behavioral health services. Most importantly, Gordon said, parents should never hesitate to reach out for help. Parents don't have to figure it all out alone. One of the biggest misconceptions about counseling, Gordon said, is that families often think they need to wait until challenges become severe before seeking help. Families interested in learning more about Compass Counseling Services or submi ng a referral form can visit h ps://compassva.com/. Sponsored Material Ask the Expert a sk t h e e x p e rt www.FredericksburgParent.NET 3 In children and teens, many clients struggle with emo onal regula on, peer rela onships, or low self-esteem. Parents, meanwhile, may seek support for paren ng stress, communica on difficul es, or naviga ng complex family dynamics. Treatment may include cogni ve-behavioral therapy (CBT), play thera- py, skills-building for emo onal regula on, parent coaching, and family sessions when appropriate. Compass' goal is to create a safe, suppor ve space where clients can build insight, strengthen coping skills, improve rela onships, and move toward las ng emo onal wellness. Another major service offered by Compass is Applied Behavior Anal- ysis (ABA) therapy, which supports children and young adults with developmental or behavioral challenges, including au sm spectrum disorders, ADHD, and other diagnoses. ABA therapy focuses on building skills and addressing behavioral gaps that may affect a child's ability to func on in everyday environments, such as school, daycare, or the community. "Our job is really to help clients develop the skill sets that they don't have and fill any gaps that they need to help them to be as successful as possible in their social environment," Gordon explained. Compass also offers care coordina on, as each child's needs are unique and treatment plans are highly individualized. Therapy may include parents, caregivers, and other important people in the child's life to create a coordinated approach that supports everyone involved. Gordon said, "It's not just the client that it's impac ng. It's the family, it's their community, it's so many people, so we want to look at that whole approach." Recognizing When Support Is Needed "I think that people feel like they have to wait un l it's extreme," she said. "I think they see it as more of a last resort versus a service that they could use when things are a li le more mild." Gordon emphasized that families do not need to wait and can seek help at any stage, even if they're unsure whether or not something is an issue. Early support can prevent smaller issues from becoming larger ones and can give families tools to navigate challenges more confidently. Gordon encouraged parents who feel unsure about what their child might need to simply start the conversa on. If families are ques oning what's going on, it's always be er to reach out sooner rather than later, and an ini al screening can help determine what a family might need. Ask the Expert "Even if we determine one service isn't the right fit, we can guide them in the right direc on," Gordon said. Parents can fill out a referral form on the Compass website. Compass does not require a doctor-recommended referral, so families can self-refer. Once a parent submits basic informa on, an intake special- ist will follow up to discuss concerns and determine which services are right for the family. During the intake process, staff mem- bers walk parents through screening ques ons and explain what different diagnoses or behaviors might look like in everyday life. A clinician may conduct a more in-depth assessment to be er understand the child's needs as well. Suppor ng Parents, Too While much of Compass' work focuses on children, Gordon emphasized that parents also need support as they navigate these challenges. "We're always saying you can't pour from an empty cup, and it's very true," she said. Caring for a child with emo onal or behavioral needs can be challeng- ing, and many parents feel pressure to priori ze their child's well-be- ing above their own, but taking me for self-care, even in small ways, can make a meaningful difference. Gordon said that even just finding small breaks in the day can help. "It doesn't have to be a whole hour. Some mes, it's just taking 15 minutes to breathe and take care of yourself," she said. In many cases, families may even use mul ple Compass services at once. For example, a child might receive ABA therapy while a parent par cipates in outpa ent counseling, crea ng a support system that strengthens the en re family. Advoca ng for Your Family Gordon encourages parents to trust their ins ncts and advocate for their children and for themselves. She emphasized that if a parent feels like something isn't quite right, they should ask ques ons and seek addi onal opinions. Local resources such as schools, pediatricians, and community service boards can also help connect families with behavioral health services. Most importantly, Gordon said, parents should never hesitate to reach out for help. Parents don't have to figure it all out alone. One of the biggest misconceptions about counseling, Gordon said, is that families often think they need to wait until challenges become severe before seeking help. Families interested in learning more about Compass Counseling Services or submi ng a referral form can visit h ps://compassva.com/.