Gary Zustiak

Characteristics of an Effective Counselor: Unique Characteristics of a Christian Counselor (Part 4)

*Editor’s Note: this is Part 4 in a series on how you—yes, you—can help bring wise and kind counsel to a young person’s life. For Part 1 (“Do You Have What It Takes?”), click here, and for Part 2 (“The ‘Big 3’ Characteristics”), click here, and for Part 3 (“Additional Traits That Contribute to Successful Youth […]

Characteristics of an Effective Counselor: Additional Traits That Contribute to Successful Youth Counseling (Part 3)

*Editor’s Note: this is Part 3 in a series on how you—yes, you—can help bring wise and kind counsel to a young person’s life. For Part 1 (“Do You Have What It Takes?”), click here, and for Part 2 (“The ‘Big 3’ Characteristics”), click here. The following traits/characteristics are also very helpful for the person […]

Gary Zustiak

Characteristics of an Effective Counselor: The “Big 3” Characteristics (Part 2)

*Editor’s Note: this is Part 2 in a series on how you—yes, you—can help bring wise and kind counsel to a young person’s life. For Part 1 (“Do You Have What It Takes?”), click here. The search to discover what makes some counselors successful and some unsuccessful (and some even harmful) has led researchers to an […]

Gary Zustiak

Characteristics of an Effective Counselor: Do You Have What It Takes? (Part 1)

“Kids respond to people whom they sense have a feel for what they’re going through.” —Rich Van Pelt, Intensive Care: Helping Teenagers in Crisis[1] “Leaders must not wait until they feel ‘good enough’ to make a difference. Accepting this myth may prevent leaders from fulfilling the very role that students need most: loving them and […]

Gary Zustiak

Adolescent Drug Use: Why Do They Do It?

Adolescent drug use: Why do so many teens experiment with drugs? What do we need to know about the motivations behind it? Case Studies of Adolescent Drug Use Karl[1] was a good looking, outgoing junior in high school when I met him. He was mature for his age and popular with the girls. His parents […]

Gary Zustiak

Youth Suicide Prevention: Risk and Response

Once you confirm that a young person is at risk, you must act immediately. Dr. Paul Quinnett has designed a very simple, but very effective, procedure to follow if you believe someone may be suicidal. The procedure is referred to as “QPR: Ask a Question—Save a Life.”[1] The initials QPR stand for: Question, Persuade, and […]

Gary Zustiak

Youth Suicide Prevention: Dos and Don’ts

Most of the crisis intervention experts will maintain that in approximately 80% of all suicide attempts, the person who took their life gave definite, identifiable clues as to their intention. With this insight, youth workers can take a significant step towards suicide prevention by learning the warning signs. The concerned youth worker needs to be […]

Gary Zustiak

Reasons Why Adolescents Attempt Suicide

There are a number of reasons why a teen might make a suicide attempt. The following are a summary of some of the most common.[1] To escape from an intolerable situation. It is important to note that “intolerable” might be anything in the mind of a developing adolescent. Any time a teen feels hopeless and […]

Gary Zustiak

Characteristics of an Effective Counselor: Unique Characteristics of a Christian Counselor (Part 4)

Gary Zustiak

Characteristics of an Effective Counselor: Additional Traits That Contribute to Successful Youth Counseling (Part 3)

Gary Zustiak

Characteristics of an Effective Counselor: The “Big 3” Characteristics (Part 2)

Gary Zustiak

Characteristics of an Effective Counselor: Do You Have What It Takes? (Part 1)

Gary Zustiak

Adolescent Drug Use: Why Do They Do It?

Gary Zustiak

Youth Suicide Prevention: Risk and Response

Gary Zustiak

Youth Suicide Prevention: Dos and Don’ts

Gary Zustiak

Reasons Why Adolescents Attempt Suicide

Gary Zustiak

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