Child & Adolescent Therapy
Is your child struggling to manage their emotions? Are their behaviors affecting your home life or school experience? Has your child experienced loss, trauma, or a big life change that’s been hard to cope with?
As children and adolescents grow, they naturally develop social skills and emotional intelligence. But some kids get stuck in big feelings, confusion, or strong reactions that make it harder for them to feel safe, connected, and confident in their daily lives.
In our practice, we focus on helping children and teens make sense of their emotions, relationships, and experiences in ways that feel real and supportive. If your child is struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, social challenges, or behavioral concerns, therapy can give them concrete tools and a safe space to heal and grow.
How Therapy Helps
Therapy provides a safe, supportive environment where children and adolescents can explore their thoughts and feelings, test out new ways of communicating, and practice skills they can use at home, at school, and with friends. With the help of a skilled therapist, children can:
Understand and name their emotions.
Learn to manage big reactions and impulsive behaviors.
Strengthen relationships with family and peers.
Build confidence and resilience when facing challenges.
In our practice, therapy is collaborative. We work closely with parents and caregivers to make sure changes in the office translate into calmer, clearer days at home.
Approaches We Use with Children and Families
Each child and family is different, so we tailor our approach to what fits best. Some of the frameworks we use include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT helps children notice unhelpful thought patterns and learn new ways of responding to stress, anxiety, and difficult emotions. It’s especially helpful for anxiety, depression, and trauma‑related concerns.
Trauma‑informed and attachment‑based work. When children have experienced loss, abuse, or other trauma, we use gentle, relationship‑based strategies that help them feel safer and more grounded. We focus on building trust, regulating emotions, and restoring a sense of control.
Family‑focused therapy. Therapy isn’t just something children “do alone.” We frequently include parents, caregivers, and sometimes siblings in sessions to improve communication, set consistent boundaries, and strengthen the family system around your child.
Support for neurodivergent children (including ADHD and Level 1 autism). For children with ADHD, ODD, or Level 1 autism, we focus on understanding how their brain and emotions work together. We help them notice their strengths, manage sensory or social challenges, and build strategies that make school and friendships feel more manageable.
Sometimes we use a combination of these approaches, depending on what your child and family need most.
Who Can Benefit from Child & Adolescent Therapy?
Therapy can be helpful anytime a child or teen is struggling to cope with big feelings or life changes. Some common situations include:
Difficulty managing emotions (anger, sadness, anxiety, overwhelm)
Behaviors that affect home, school, or friendships
Experiences of loss, divorce, or separation
Trauma, abuse, or exposure to violence
Bullying or social anxiety
ADHD, focus challenges, or school struggles
Strong emotional reactions or intense meltdowns
Adjustment to a big change (moving, medical illness, grief, etc.)
Therapy is not an instant fix, but a thoughtful, ongoing process that helps children understand and manage their emotions and behaviors. Through this work, they develop the skills they need to grow into healthier, more confident adolescents and adults.