Many parents seek out child counseling due to concerns about:

• defiant behavior at school or home

• aggression

• anxiety or worry

• getting frustrated or angry easily

• tantrums or difficulty controlling their emotions

Counseling for children looks different than traditional counseling for adults. Many children are not yet developmentally ready for traditional talk therapy and do better learning and processing through play or art. Parents and caregivers are also highly involved throughout the counseling process. We believe that parents ultimately are the most important people in their child’s life and have the opportunity to make the biggest difference. For that reason, individual therapy with children involves meeting with parents regularly to support lasting change at home. Depending on the age and needs of the child, that may involve you joining for part of each session or having regular parent meetings.

Child counseling sessions with your child will be tailored to meet your child’s needs and developmental level. With younger children, therapists will use play as a way to communicate and understand how your child is feeling. With older children, therapists may teach some skills or practice emotional regulation in session. Art and drawing are also excellent ways to encourage children to express themselves and to teach feelings identification, emotional regulation, and expression of needs and emotions.

Our counselors have years of experience working with children and families and will use evidence-based approaches that are tailored to your child’s needs.