One of the most difficult situations we face as parents is watching our child struggle. 

We see the pain and hurt they’re feeling, and while we want desperately to help, we’re often at a loss - either because they won’t let us help or because we just don’t have the ability to understand what they’re going through. The world is so different for them than it was for us, and yet the challenges - to fit in, to be yourself, to keep up - are still the same.

And the only thing we know for sure is we would do anything to help our child and make things better for them.

Figuring out the best way to do that is daunting. Our school-based clinicians spend day in and day out with children and teens every day, all day, and they bring with them the intimate knowledge of that environment. This experience is vital to finding the right treatment plan and approach for your child or adolescent.

Circumstances like age, behaviors, and family dynamics, all play a role in developing the right approach. Our clinicians customize treatment plans based on all of these factors, as well as goals and objectives. 

While treatment is most beneficial when it’s in conjunction with couples and/or family therapy, child and adolescent counseling can include any of the following approaches:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) examines confused or distorted patterns of thinking. Children learn that thoughts cause feelings that influence behavior, and by identifying harmful or destructive thought patterns, replace those with thoughts that result in more appropriate feelings and behaviors.

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is used for helping adolescents regulate difficult emotions, such as anxiety, depression, and feelings of self-harm. DBT emphasizes taking responsibility for one’s problems and examines how they deal with conflict and intense negative emotions. 

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps children and teens understand and accept their emotions, guiding them to move forward in a positive way.

• Play Therapy uses toys, games, and drawings to help the child identify, recognize, and verbalize feelings. The therapist observes how the child plays and identifies themes or patterns to understand the child’s problems. Through talking and playing, the child learns to better understand and manage conflicts, feelings, and behavior.

Contact us to discuss the right treatment options for your child or adolescent.