Cheryl Solomon, a licensed clinical social worker with extensive experience working with adolescents, has begun a new teen group at the Jewish Family and Vocational Service of Middlesex County.
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June 9, 2009
The Jewish Family and Vocational Service of Middlesex County has formed a group to assist teens with peer relationship issues, family problems, and/or academic concerns.
The teen group, which began about three months ago, has four members. They meet Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m. at JFVS’ Milltown office at 32 Ford Ave. “We discuss various topics,” said Cheryl Solomon, a licensed clinical social worker who was hired to conduct the sessions. “We talk about self-esteem issues, sex, drugs, rock ’n’ roll — whatever the kids need. My goal is to make a safe haven for them and provide a place where they can feel safe and talk with me as an adult anchoring it.”
Solomon retired in 2006 after spending 25 years working with families and adolescents, including children with learning disabilities and emotional problems. She worked extensively with disturbed teens in residential treatment centers.
She said over the last few months other teens have expressed an interest in joining the group, and she expects it to grow.
“Many of these issues they would not feel comfortable talking about even with their peers,” said Solomon. “Adolescence is a time when they often feel a lot of pressure from academics and just life. At this stage of life, they don’t have the maturity to understand certain concepts. They’re very self-centered, and I don’t mean that in a negative way.
“In the teen years everything is idealized and we come to a reality as we get older and mature that there is no ideal world,” said Solomon. “I try to engage them and help them find their own way, help them see we all have strengths and weaknesses.”
Solomon is also trying to form a support group for parents on “surviving your child’s adolescence.”
For information, call JFVS at 732-777-1940.
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