Mommytutu
04-27-2010, 11:47 PM
Hi Dr. Bradley,
I'm a bit concerned about my niece. She is 13 and lives in a different state. We have communicated via Facebook, which, I think, has helped her open up a bit to me, but not much at all. She seems to be profoundly unhappy. Her parents are divorced, I know she is concerned about her dad remarrying, and she seems to have friend troubles that go beyond what I am used to with my own children. I know that she has a friend who was recently admitted to the hospital for some emotional problems. When I asked my niece if her problems were family related or if she was just worried about her friend, her response was that it was something else entirely. I don't know if it is drugs, boys or what. She expressed a distrust of therapists and the school counselor, and I'm pretty sure her parents couldn't afford fee-based counseling. She mentioned that her school work is sliding due to the other events in her life, but didn't want to expand on that. I'd really like to offer this girl some advice other than telling her that things will get better, etc...Anything you can think of that I can do from afar? I will be seeing her in a couple of weeks at a family event; not exactly the time or place for a tete-a-tete. I know she feels alone, and I'd love to ease her pain in some way.
Thank you
I'm a bit concerned about my niece. She is 13 and lives in a different state. We have communicated via Facebook, which, I think, has helped her open up a bit to me, but not much at all. She seems to be profoundly unhappy. Her parents are divorced, I know she is concerned about her dad remarrying, and she seems to have friend troubles that go beyond what I am used to with my own children. I know that she has a friend who was recently admitted to the hospital for some emotional problems. When I asked my niece if her problems were family related or if she was just worried about her friend, her response was that it was something else entirely. I don't know if it is drugs, boys or what. She expressed a distrust of therapists and the school counselor, and I'm pretty sure her parents couldn't afford fee-based counseling. She mentioned that her school work is sliding due to the other events in her life, but didn't want to expand on that. I'd really like to offer this girl some advice other than telling her that things will get better, etc...Anything you can think of that I can do from afar? I will be seeing her in a couple of weeks at a family event; not exactly the time or place for a tete-a-tete. I know she feels alone, and I'd love to ease her pain in some way.
Thank you