Is your child experiencing excessive worry, fear, or anxiety that's impacting their daily life, school, or relationships?

What It Looks Like:

• Excessive worry about everyday things

• Separation anxiety (clingy behavior, distress when apart from parents)

• Social anxiety (fear of judgment, avoidance of social situations)

• Physical symptoms (stomachaches, headaches, difficulty sleeping)

• Avoidance of activities or situations due to fear

• Perfectionism or fear of making mistakes

• Panic attacks or intense fear responses

• Difficulty sleeping due to worries

How We Help:

• Our counselors use evidence-based approaches including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), play therapy, and parent coaching to help children understand and manage anxiety. We teach coping strategies, challenge anxious thoughts, and gradually build confidence in facing fears. Parents learn how to support their child without reinforcing avoidance.

Therapeutic Approaches:

• CBT for children, exposure therapy (gradual), play therapy, relaxation techniques, parent coaching

Is your child frequently defiant, aggressive, or having difficulty following rules at home or school?

What It Looks Like:

• Frequent tantrums or meltdowns (beyond typical for age)

• Arguing with adults, refusing to comply with requests

• Deliberately annoying or upsetting others

• Aggression toward siblings, peers, or adults

• Destroying property or acting out physically

• Difficulty accepting limits or consequences

• Angry, resentful, or vindictive behavior

• Behaviors impacting school or family functioning

How We Help:

• We work with both children and parents to understand the underlying causes of challenging behaviors and develop effective strategies. Through play therapy, emotion coaching, and behavioral approaches, we help children learn to express needs appropriately, regulate emotions, and make better choices. Parent coaching is essential—we equip you with tools to set consistent limits, reinforce positive behavior, and respond effectively to challenging moments.

Therapeutic Approaches:

• Play therapy, parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), emotion coaching, behavioral strategies, family therapy

Does your child have intense emotional reactions, frequent meltdowns, or difficulty calming down once upset?

What It Looks Like:

• Intense reactions to minor frustrations

• Difficulty calming down once upset (meltdowns last a long time)

• Emotional outbursts that seem out of proportion

• Going from calm to explosive very quickly

• Difficulty identifying or expressing emotions

• Challenges transitioning between activities

• Physical aggression when overwhelmed

• Emotional intensity that impacts daily functioning

How We Help:

• Our counselors teach children to recognize, understand, and manage their emotions through play-based activities, emotion coaching, and developmentally appropriate strategies. We help children build their "emotional toolbox" with coping skills like deep breathing, sensory strategies, and self-calming techniques. Parents learn how to co-regulate with their child and support emotional development.

Therapeutic Approaches:

• Emotion-focused therapy, play therapy, mindfulness for kids, sensory strategies, parent coaching

Is your child experiencing persistent sadness, withdrawal, loss of interest in activities, or significant mood changes?

What It Looks Like:

• Persistent sadness or tearfulness

• Loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy

• Withdrawal from family and friends

• Changes in sleep (sleeping too much or too little)

• Changes in appetite or eating habits

• Fatigue or low energy

• Irritability or angry outbursts

• Negative self-talk ("I'm bad," "Nobody likes me")

• Difficulty concentrating or completing tasks

How We Help:

• Depression in children looks different than in adults. Our counselors use play therapy, CBT, and family therapy to help children process difficult emotions, challenge negative thinking patterns, and rebuild engagement with activities and relationships. We work closely with families to create supportive home environments and, when appropriate, collaborate with physicians for comprehensive care.

Therapeutic Approaches:

• Play therapy, CBT for children, family therapy, behavioral activation, parent support

Important:

• If you're concerned about your child's safety or notice suicidal thoughts, please contact a crisis line immediately or visit your nearest emergency department.

Is your child struggling to adjust to a significant life change or loss?

What It Looks Like:

• Behavioral regression (bedwetting, clinginess, baby talk)

• Sadness, anger, or confusion about changes

• Acting out or increased defiance

• Withdrawal or isolation

• Difficulty concentrating at school

• Questions or worries about the future

• Grief responses (after loss of loved one or pet)

• Anxiety about new situations

How We Help:

• Life transitions—even positive ones—can be difficult for children. Our counselors provide a safe space for children to process big changes, express their feelings, and develop coping strategies. Through play therapy, storytelling, and age-appropriate discussions, we help children make sense of transitions and adjust to new realities. We also support parents in helping their child navigate change.

Common Transitions We Support:

• Divorce or parental separation

• Moving to a new home or city

• Changing schools

• New sibling arrival

• Death of a loved one or pet

• Family structure changes

• Parent's new relationship or remarriage

Therapeutic Approaches:

• Play therapy, grief counseling, narrative therapy, family therapy, parent coaching

Children with ADHD often experience co-occurring emotional and behavioral challenges that benefit from counseling support.

What It Looks Like:

• Emotional outbursts or low frustration tolerance

• Difficulty with peer relationships

• Low self-esteem due to repeated struggles

• Anxiety related to school performance

• Challenges with emotional regulation

• Rejection sensitivity (intense emotional response to perceived criticism)

• Impulsive behavior affecting relationships

• Family conflict related to ADHD challenges

How We Help:

• While we don't diagnose or treat ADHD itself, our counselors provide essential emotional and behavioral support for children with ADHD. We teach emotion regulation strategies, build self-esteem, address anxiety or behavioral challenges, and help children develop social skills. Parent coaching helps families create supportive home environments and manage challenging behaviors effectively.

Therapeutic Approaches:

• CBT for ADHD, emotion coaching, social skills training, self-esteem building, parent coaching

Note:

• We can coordinate with your child's physician or occupational therapist for comprehensive ADHD support.

Children on the autism spectrum may benefit from counseling support for emotional regulation, anxiety, social challenges, and life skills.

What It Looks Like:

• Anxiety related to social situations or changes in routine

• Difficulty understanding or expressing emotions

• Challenges with emotional regulation or meltdowns

• Social challenges or peer relationship difficulties

• Sensory-related distress

• Difficulty with transitions or flexibility

• Co-occurring anxiety or mood concerns

• Family stress related to parenting an autistic child

How We Help:

• Our counselors use neurodiversity-affirming, evidence-based approaches to support the social-emotional wellbeing of autistic children. We help children develop emotion regulation skills, manage anxiety, navigate social situations, and build self-advocacy. We honor your child's unique strengths and needs while providing practical support for challenges they face.

Therapeutic Approaches:

• Play therapy, CBT adapted for autism, emotion coaching, social stories, family support, parent coaching

Note:

• Our counseling services can complement speech therapy or occupational therapy your child may be receiving.

Is your child struggling to make friends, experiencing peer conflict, or being bullied?

What It Looks Like:

• Difficulty initiating friendships or joining peer groups

• Frequent peer conflicts or misunderstandings

• Being excluded or rejected by peers

• Experiencing bullying or being targeted by others

• Loneliness or social isolation

• Anxiety about social situations

• Difficulty reading social cues or understanding social norms

• Saying they have "no friends" or don't fit in

How We Help:

• Our counselors help children develop social skills, build confidence, and navigate complex peer relationships. Through play therapy, role-playing, and social skills coaching, children learn how to make friends, resolve conflicts, understand social expectations, and handle difficult peer situations. We also work with parents and schools (with permission) to address bullying and create supportive environments.

Therapeutic Approaches:

• Social skills training, play therapy, role-playing, confidence building, parent coaching, school collaboration

Is your child expressing negative self-beliefs, giving up easily, or afraid to try new things?

What It Looks Like:

• Negative self-talk ("I'm stupid," "I can't do anything right")

• Giving up quickly when tasks are challenging

• Fear of failure or making mistakes

• Perfectionism (refusing to try if they can't be perfect)

• Comparing self negatively to siblings or peers

• Reluctance to participate in activities or try new things

• Sensitivity to criticism

• Difficulty accepting compliments

How We Help:

• Our counselors use play therapy, CBT, and strengths-based approaches to help children develop a healthier self-image and build genuine confidence. We help children identify their strengths, challenge negative beliefs, set achievable goals, and experience success. Building self-esteem is a process—we work at your child's pace to create lasting change.

Therapeutic Approaches:

• Play therapy, CBT, strengths-based therapy, goal-setting, positive psychology approaches

Children who have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect, or other adverse experiences need specialized, trauma-informed support.

What It Looks Like:

• Re-experiencing traumatic events (nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts)

• Avoidance of reminders of the trauma

• Hypervigilance or heightened startle response

• Difficulty trusting others

• Emotional numbing or withdrawal

• Regression in behavior or development

• Behavioral changes or acting out

• Physical symptoms (stomachaches, headaches)

How We Help:

• Our counselors use trauma-informed, evidence-based approaches to help children heal from traumatic experiences. We create a safe therapeutic relationship, help children process trauma at their own pace, and teach coping skills. Trauma therapy is gentle, child-paced, and focused on building safety and resilience.

Therapeutic Approaches:

• Trauma-focused CBT, play therapy, sand tray therapy, EMDR (when appropriate), parent support

Important:

• If your child is in immediate danger or you suspect ongoing abuse, please contact Child and Family Services or law enforcement immediately.

Is your child experiencing anxiety about school, refusing to attend, or struggling with academic stress?

What It Looks Like:

• Resistance or refusal to go to school

• Physical complaints (stomachaches, headaches) on school mornings

• Anxiety about tests, grades, or performance

• Perfectionism related to schoolwork

• Fear of teachers or school situations

• Social anxiety about peers or lunch/recess

• Difficulty separating from parents at drop-off

• Crying, tantrums, or panic before school

How We Help:

• Our counselors address the underlying causes of school-related anxiety and develop plans to support school attendance and success. We use gradual exposure, anxiety management strategies, and problem-solving to help children feel more comfortable and confident at school. We collaborate with schools (with permission) to ensure appropriate supports are in place.

Therapeutic Approaches:

• CBT, gradual exposure, anxiety management, school collaboration, parent coaching

Is your family experiencing significant conflict, communication breakdowns, or relationship stress?

What It Looks Like:

• Frequent power struggles between parent and child

• Communication difficulties or misunderstandings

• Sibling conflict or rivalry affecting family harmony

• Parenting differences causing stress

• Attachment concerns

• Family stress impacting child's behavior

• Difficulty with discipline or boundaries

• Breakdown of parent-child connection

How We Help:

• Family relationships are foundational to child wellbeing. Our counselors use family therapy approaches to improve communication, strengthen relationships, and resolve conflict. We work with the whole family system (when appropriate) to create healthier patterns and rebuild connection.

Therapeutic Approaches:

• Family therapy, parent-child interaction therapy, attachment-based approaches, communication skills training