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Even when parents and caregivers are doing their very best, children and teens benefit from having a therapist to help guide them through problems they can't cope with alone or need help processing and managing their emotions and behaviors.

Therapy for children and teens is a safe, judgment-free space where youth share their experiences from their daily lives and learn to be aware of uncomfortable or painful emotions without allowing themselves to get caught up in them. They also gain skills such as managing pressure, eliminating self-defeating thoughts, gaining more self-control, and improving their academic performance. A child does not need to have a diagnosed mental health condition to benefit from therapy. Young clients can also receive praise, support, and help with finding their strengths. Therapy builds helpful thinking patterns and healthy behavioral habits that a young person will use throughout their lifetime.

Parents, caregivers, and siblings are sometimes welcome to visit for a shared session with a child or teen. At times this is necessary to make further progress in a particular problem area. However, child and teen therapy is primarily centered around the young person.

Behavior Training for Children Aged 3 to 10

Do You Need Parent-Child Interactive Training (PCIT)?
Does your young child repeatedly have tantrums, trouble listening, or following directions? Is it difficult to maintain a strong connection with them because of their ongoing behavior? Parent-Child Interactive Training may be perfect for you. Your daily life may greatly improve from a judgment-free zone where you can learn effective techniques for managing your child’s behavior and strengthening your relationship with them.

Parent-Child Intensive Training (PCIT) is conducted through coaching sessions during which you and your child are in a room together while I observe you interacting with each other via video. I provide in-the-moment coaching on skills designed to help you manage your child's behavior. The typical age range for PCIT is 2-7 years of age. However, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy has been adapted for older children ages 7-10.

PCIT is done across two treatment phases. The first phase of treatment focuses on establishing warmth in your relationship with your child through learning and applying skills proven to help children feel calm, secure in their relationships with their parents, and good about themselves.

Below are a few common issues that children and teens like to tackle in therapy: