Child & Adolescent Therapy
Inclusive
Our practice is committed to providing a welcoming, respectful, and supportive environment for all children and families. We celebrate diversity and are proud to serve clients from all cultural backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, and family structures. Our inclusive approach embraces the LGBTQIA+ community, and we are dedicated to understanding and honoring each child's unique identity and experiences.
We believe that every child deserves compassionate, culturally sensitive care that respects their individual needs and values. Our therapists are trained in cultural competence and committed to creating a safe space where all children feel seen, heard, and valued. Whether your family is multinational, multiracial, adoptive, blended, or LGBTQIA+, we're here to support your child's journey to emotional well-being with empathy and understanding.
Is child therapy necessary
Children are precious and need attuned care. The sooner you recognize that they need help to develop healthy habits, the quicker they can form grounded routines to enhance their wellness. Therapy focuses on strengths, and learning new skills that can enhance their self-esteem.
Children are not always able to express their needs and wants clearly. If you suspect your child may need some help, please seek professional guidance to help you make that decision.
Does your child have trouble dealing with their emotions? Is their behavior sometimes disruptive to your home life? Have they experienced sudden loss or trauma?
As they grow, children and adolescents develop social skills and emotional intelligence. This awareness helps them to develop into healthy, happy, and successful individuals. But some children have trouble processing their emotions and this often leads to behavior that negatively impacts their school life, home life, and overall well-being.
Therapy for Children looks different
Effective Forms of Therapy for Children and Adolescents
We offer children and adolescents a safe, nurturing space to work through their challenges and explore their thoughts and emotions. With the support of our specialized therapist, children can resolve problems, modify behaviors, and make positive and lasting changes.
The following are a few different types of psychotherapy available to children and families. Each offers unique approaches and techniques to bring about positive outcomes. Sometimes our therapist may choose to use just one specific treatment, and other times she may find a combination of various treatments is the best approach: Creative Arts Therapy, Play Therapy, Sand Play Therapy, Emotion Focused Family Therapy and
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps children to identify harmful thought patterns. Once a child recognizes that their thoughts create their feelings and moods, they can learn to control themselves and their behavior. Research has shown that CBT is highly effective at treating depression and anxiety as well as helping individuals, including children, deal with traumatic experiences.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT helps children and adolescents process their inner emotions. ACT provides context and understanding to emotions that can seem overwhelming. This allows kids to work through emotions and move forward.
Family Therapy
Family therapy is great for helping families improve communication so they can resolve issues. Sessions can include the entire family, including children, siblings, parents, and grandparents, or just one or two individuals.
Who is Therapy Right for?
Children can face a wide range of issues as they grow and develop. Here’s an overview of common challenges we treat. Children may deal with:
- Emotional issues:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Low self-esteem
- Anger management
- Behavioral problems:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
- Conduct disorders
- Family-related issues:
- Divorce or separation of parents
- Sibling rivalry
- Adoption or foster care adjustment
- Family conflicts
- School-related challenges:
- Learning difficulties
- Academic pressure
- Bullying
- Social anxiety
- Trauma and stress:
- Abuse (physical, emotional, sexual)
- Neglect
- Witnessing violence
- Loss of a loved one
- Developmental issues:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Speech and language delays
- Motor skills development
- Social challenges:
- Difficulty making friends
- Peer pressure
- Social isolation
- Body image and eating disorders:
- Negative body image
- Eating disorders (even in young children)
- Identity and self-concept:
- Gender identity questions
- Cultural identity issues
- Self-discovery challenges
- Sleep problems:
- Insomnia
- Nightmares
- Bedwetting
- Substance use (particularly in older children and teens):
- Experimentation with alcohol or drugs
- Technology-related issues:
- Internet addiction
- Cyberbullying
- Exposure to inappropriate content
- Physical health problems that affect mental health:
- Chronic illnesses
- Disabilities
- Transitions and change:
- Moving to a new home or school
- Puberty and body changes
Remember, children may experience these issues differently based on their age, personality, and circumstances. Professional help from our experienced child therapists can be beneficial in addressing these challenges and promoting healthy development.
Therapy is not a quick fix to a child’s behavioral or emotional issues. It is instead a thoughtful and comprehensive process that provides children with insights and skills so that they may become masters of their thoughts and feelings. This, in essence, is how children develop into happy, healthy, and successful adults.
If you would like to explore treatment options for your child, please give my office a call.
- Click on these links to learn more about the other interventions we use with child/teen therapy: Art Therapy, play therapy, Emotion Focused family Therapy and Sand play Therapy. Click here to learn about how we work with parents.