Child & Adolescent Therapy

Our first priority is to help our younger patients feel valued and cared for. We use a variety of techniques to meet kids where they are.

Typically, play therapy is used with children ages 12 and below. The clinician may use toys and games as a way for the child to express themselves and work to resolve emotional conflicts; the same way adults use words to describe and process how they are feeling. For young children, they are still developing language skills, which may make it difficult for them to solely use language as a means to describe complex feelings. Talk therapy is often used with adolescents as they are typically more able to express themselves and their feelings verbally.

Both forms of therapy help the child appropriately express feelings, learn new ways of coping with stress, modify inappropriate or destructive behaviors, and develop problem solving abilities. During the initial intake session, child/family history is collected and parents are asked to discuss their concerns without the child present. The therapist and parent often work as a team to help the child continue to make progress while practicing new skills at home. A few minutes before or after a child’s session are reserved for the therapist to “check in” with the parent to discuss progress or any important information from that week.

Both forms of therapy help the child appropriately express feelings, learn new ways of coping with stress, modify inappropriate or destructive behaviors, and develop problem solving abilities. During the initial intake session, child/family history is collected and parents are asked to discuss their concerns without the child present. The therapist and parent often work as a team to help the child continue to make progress while practicing new skills at home. A few minutes before or after a child’s session are reserved for the therapist to “check in” with the parent to discuss progress or any important information from that week.