CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS THERAPY

Supporting Young Hearts & Minds On Their Journey

We Provide Specialized Therapy For Children & Adolescents, Helping Them Develop Emotional Resilience, Healthy Coping Skills, & A Strong Sense Of Self.

What is Children & Adolescents Therapy?

Children and adolescents' therapy is a specialized approach to mental health support that's tailored to the developmental needs of young people.

Unlike adult therapy, which relies primarily on talk therapy, work with children and teens often incorporates play, art, movement, and other engaging approaches that help young people express themselves in natural and comfortable ways.

Our child and adolescent specialists create a safe, nurturing environment where young people can explore their thoughts and feelings, process difficult experiences, build coping skills, and develop greater self-understanding. We recognize that children and teens communicate their struggles differently than adults—sometimes through behavior, play, or creative expression rather than words.

Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, trauma, grief, social difficulties, or major life transitions, our therapeutic approach provides age-appropriate support that honors their unique developmental stage and individual needs.

Our Approach to Children & Adolescents Therapy

At the Center for Healing and Personal Growth, we understand that effective therapy for young people requires specialized approaches that engage them where they are developmentally. Our approach to children and adolescents therapy is:

✔ Play-Based (for younger children)

For children under 12, we often use play therapy techniques that allow children to process emotions, experiences, and challenges through their natural language of play. Through carefully selected activities, children can express what they may not have words for.

✔ Trauma-Informed

We understand how early experiences and trauma impact developing brains and bodies. Our gentle, trauma-sensitive approach creates safety and supports healing at the pace that's right for each child.

✔ Developmentally Attuned

We tailor our therapeutic approaches to match each child's developmental stage, recognizing that a 5-year-old, 12-year-old, and 17-year-old each need different kinds of support and engagement.

✔ Creative & Expressive

We incorporate art, music, movement, and other creative approaches that give young people alternative ways to express complex feelings and experiences when words alone aren't enough.

✔ Family-Inclusive

We believe that supporting children means supporting their families too. While respecting appropriate confidentiality, we work collaboratively with parents and caregivers, providing guidance and tools to support your child's growth.

✔ Strengths-Focused

While addressing challenges, we also help children and teens identify their unique strengths, talents, and resources. Building on these positive qualities helps develop resilience and self-confidence.

Our therapists are trained in various evidence-based approaches including Play Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, EMDR (adapted for children), and other modalities specifically designed for young people.

Benefits of Children & Adolescents Therapy

Therapy can make a profound difference in a young person's life, providing benefits that extend far beyond resolving immediate concerns:

✔ Improved Behavior

  • Understand the underlying needs behind challenging behaviors

  • Develop more effective ways to communicate needs

  • Reduce impulsivity and increase self-control

  • Build problem-solving skills for difficult situations

✔ Academic Success

  • Reduce barriers to learning caused by emotional distress

  • Build focus, motivation, and persistence

  • Develop effective study habits and organizational skills

  • Address school anxiety or avoidance

✔ Enhanced Social Skills

  • Develop healthy friendship and communication skills

  • Navigate peer relationships more confidently

  • Build empathy and perspective-taking abilities

  • Resolve conflicts constructively

✔ Emotional Regulation

  • Develop healthy ways to express and manage emotions

  • Reduce anxiety, fear, anger, or sadness

  • Build awareness of emotional triggers

  • Learn calming techniques for overwhelming feelings

✔ Greater Self-Esteem

  • Develop a positive sense of self and personal identity

  • Recognize and celebrate personal strengths

  • Build resilience in the face of challenges

  • Develop greater self-acceptance and self-compassion

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Consider therapy if you notice persistent changes in your child's mood, behavior, sleep patterns, appetite, or social interactions. Warning signs might include excessive worry, sadness, irritability, social withdrawal, declining grades, aggressive behavior, regression to earlier behaviors, or physical complaints without medical cause. Even if symptoms seem mild, early intervention can prevent more serious problems from developing.

  • Parent involvement varies based on your child's age, needs, and the specific therapeutic approach. For younger children, parents often participate directly in some sessions. For adolescents, the therapist typically meets primarily with the teen to build trust and confidentiality, while still maintaining appropriate parent communication. All parents receive regular updates and guidance on supporting their child's progress at home.

  • While we believe in collaborating with parents, we also respect appropriate confidentiality, especially with adolescents. Creating a private space where young people can speak openly is essential for effective therapy. We'll always involve you in treatment planning and progress updates, and we'll immediately inform you about any safety concerns. We'll discuss confidentiality boundaries clearly at the beginning of treatment.

  • Our child specialists are skilled at creating a welcoming, engaging environment using play, art, games, and other activities that help children feel comfortable. Rather than focusing directly on "problems," we begin by building rapport and finding activities that match your child's interests and developmental level. Most children find that therapy is actually enjoyable once they experience it.

  • The duration varies depending on your child's specific challenges, the complexity of the issues, and how quickly they respond to intervention. Some children benefit from short-term therapy (8-12 sessions) focused on specific issues, while others with more complex needs may benefit from longer-term support. We'll discuss expectations during your initial consultation and provide regular updates on your child's progress.

Ready to Support Your Child's Emotional Growth?

Give your child the tools to thrive!

Whether your child is facing specific challenges or you simply want to build their emotional resilience, our compassionate team at the Center for Healing and Personal Growth is here to support their journey toward greater well-being and confidence.