“80-90 percent of kids we see, don’t have a ‘problem,’ they are just responding to the environment that they are in.”
Sitting Down with Ennis Fonder
Works with Community Counseling, Intensive In Home Counseling, prevention with TOP, and wherever help is needed.
QMHP-C, bachelor in psychology
Ennis Fonder grew up in Baltimore, exposed to violence and misconduct within the circle of teenagers his age. Instead of associating with these kids, Ennis sought peace. He surrounded himself with friends who, like him, understood that they didn’t need to be getting in trouble in order to have fun and enjoy themselves. Because of his background, Ennis was inclined to work with children and teenagers to help break these bad habits and dig to the root of such issues. Fonder worked as a counselor in Baltimore, then in residential treatment center for teenagers in Charlotte. Two years ago, he came to Family Service, in efforts to work with kids and teenagers on prevention and spread positive reinforcement within the lives of clients.
A Closer Look at In-Home Counseling
Intensive In-Home Counseling is where Ennis feels he can do the most good– working inside of a client’s own home and community, analyzing each piece of the puzzle. In-Home counseling works with kids and families, in efforts to help solve behavioral and emotional issues at the core. Ennis explains that,
“The home is where the source of the behavior is and where the source of the problem is, usually by the second session, I sort of have an idea of why the kid is doing what they’re doing.”
“We just want to prevent removal from the home if at all possible.”
Ennis worked with a young, hyperactive, energetic boy, living in a very under stimulating environment. Although he was surrounded by intelligent parents who wanted to understand and solve his behavioral issues, he received the minimum amount of attention and care in his home. As Ennis started working with the boy one on one, he noticed that this child was much calmer and respondent. The issue resided in the mother and his difficult relationship with her. Ennis slowly started to work with the anger within the mother, and the need for attention and love within the child. After some improvement, the family is moving out of town, to be supported by and more connected to external family members, which Ennis believes will be beneficial to both parties.
“Working directly in the home can lead to a happier life.”
