Child Therapy

Strong emotions such as worry, anxiety, fear, frustration, anger, and excitement are referred to as Big Emotions. While not necessarily negative, these emotions may require extra effort to process and handle. Encouraging children to understand and acknowledge their feelings is essential, yet it is also important to teach them how to manage their reactions to these emotions effectively.

Children who struggle with regulating their emotions may exhibit tantrums and outbursts, commonly referred to as “emotional dysregulation”. In therapy we help children learn that all emotions are valid and give us important messages. We don’t need to be afraid of or suppress our emotions. It is our REACTION to our emotions that we need to learn to regulate.

Children may occasionally engage in arguments, aggression, or defiance towards adults and/or peers. These are all very typical reactions as children learn to manage moments when they are disappointed, not getting all their wants met or are simply over stimulated by their environment. Our child therapists create a trusting space for children to learn to regulate their emotions, build patience and gain skills to use during interpersonal conflicts.

Sometimes these behaviors are particularly severe in intensity or duration. In these cases, child therapy may be a good first place to start. However, we would suggest that counseling would work best in conjunction with other professionals such as the school team, pediatric occupational therapists, psychiatrist or a behavior specialist. We are happy to be part of your child’s care team.

ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, impulse control, and organization. However, it also brings unique strengths such as hyperfocus, creativity, and spontaneity. For children and teens, these challenges in focusing on tasks or managing their behavior can sometimes lead to feelings of exclusion. In fast-paced games or conversations, they may miss subtle social cues or details of the rules, leaving them open to criticism or feeling “outside” of the group, impacting their self-esteem. In therapy, we empower children and teens to truly understand and appreciate how their brains work. We emphasize their incredible potential, teaching strategies to manage impulse control and offering tools to strengthen self-esteem. By embracing their distinct abilities and learning to navigate social situations, they can transform their unique ways of thinking into sources of pride and connection.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Level 1 often comes with exceptional strengths, such as logical thinking or passionate, focused interests, yet also presents challenges in social communication, interpreting non-verbal cues, and managing sensory sensitivities. In therapy, we create a supportive space for children and teens to understand and embrace their neurodiversity. Through Play Therapy, structured role-playing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and other methods, we help them interpret and make sense of the world in ways that feel safe and approachable. We also address sensory sensitivities, helping them develop strategies to feel more comfortable in everyday environments. Emotional regulation is key, and we focus on teaching ways to recognize, express, and manage emotions effectively. Our goal is to empower children and teens to own their unique brains, build meaningful connections, and approach social interactions with confidence and resilience.

Children face a lot of challenges in school, from struggling with difficult subjects and keeping up with homework to dealing with peer pressure and social dynamics. Some may also experience bullying, anxiety, or learning challenges that make the school environment even more stressful. Child therapists can provide valuable support by helping children develop coping strategies, improve their social skills, and build self-confidence. They can also work with parents and teachers to create a more supportive and understanding environment, making school a more positive experience for the child.

Dealing with big emotions and unexpected challenges can be really tough for children. That’s where CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, comes in. It’s a type of talk therapy that helps children spot and change negative thoughts and habits. CBT teaches children how to relax, understand their negative thinking, and improve their communication skills to manage tough emotions. Through CBT, children can learn to handle things like feeling overwhelmed, acting impulsively, and having self-defeating thoughts. The goal is to replace these negative patterns with better problem-solving skills, self-control, and a boost in self-confidence.

Play therapy is a type of counseling that uses play to help children express their feelings, work through problems, and develop coping skills. In a play therapy room, which is set up intentionally to facilitate a child’s healing, children are encouraged to feel empowered and play with anything they want. The room is filled with toys that cover themes like nurturance, aggression, competition, mastery, exploration, and fantasy/pretend. This variety allows children to process their experiences through play in a safe and supportive environment. This approach can be particularly helpful for children dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, or behavioral issues, as it allows them to express themselves freely and develop healthier ways to cope with their challenges.

Expressive therapy for children is a creative form of counseling that uses art, music, dance, drama, and writing to help children express their emotions and experiences. This type of therapy allows children to explore their feelings and thoughts in a non-verbal way, which can be especially helpful for those who find it hard to articulate what they’re going through. By engaging in creative activities, children can process complex emotions, reduce stress, and build self-awareness. Expressive therapy provides a safe and supportive space for children to explore their inner world and develop healthier coping strategies.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for children is a specialized form of therapy designed to help children process and heal from trauma and other distressing experiences. While the core principles of EMDR are the same for both children and adults, the approach is adapted to suit a child’s developmental level. Our child therapists have advanced training specific to children. We often use more creative and playful methods, such as storytelling, drawing, or using toys, to make the process engaging and age appropriate. These techniques help children feel more comfortable and better able to process their emotions. The goal is to reduce the impact of traumatic memories and help children develop healthier coping mechanisms, leading to improved emotional well-being.