Is your child struggling with behavioral issues, anxiety, or depression?

Does your child:

• have lots of tantrums?

• frequently become physically aggressive?

• crumble at the drop of a hat?

• worry a lot?

• refuse to participate in even fun activities because they get overwhelmed?

• struggle with a major change that has happened?

Do you wish you could help your child feel better but just don’t know how?

Many families struggle with helping their children who are experiencing big emotions or big changes. Parents often feel overwhelmed and guilty that for not enjoying spending time with their child anymore. You might be one of many parents who is spending huge amounts of energy worrying about your child and how you can help.

Behavior challenges like tantrums, refusing to listen, difficulty with transitions, and intense sadness can be the result of many factors. For some children, a big change in their life is overwhelming and they struggle to manage the transition. Kids may need help to process a big event or trauma in their life. Some children benefit from having more support to develop impulse control. Still other children simply need additional coaching in expressing their emotions through positive pathways.

Child therapy can help.

Therapy for children provides a highly effective method to help kids develop better emotional regulation, reduce behavioral difficulties, and increase joy and resilience. Therapy for kids is a helpful tool for treating depression, anxiety, prolonged grief, trauma, and providing support during major transitions. Forward Together Counseling has highly experienced child and family therapists who work with children as young as three.

Counseling can be a great place to help your child start to feel calmer, happier, more organized, and more confident. At Forward Together Counseling, we place a strong emphasis on family as we know that a child’s caregivers are the most important people in their lives. Your involvement in the therapeutic process is essential to achieving therapeutic goals.

This means that we incorporate parent coaching and family therapy sessions into our treatment for every child at our practice. The specifics of therapy for kids varies depending on the child’s age and the goals for therapy. We work with each family collaboratively to create an individualized plan that fits your needs.

Here is some general information on our approach to therapy with kids of different ages:

Preschool and Kindergarten

Play is the natural language of little ones. Our counseling approach with preschoolers and kindergarteners uses a family-based approach to play therapy, drawing frequently on the Theraplay and Filial therapy models. In our work with young children, guardians/parents participate in nearly every session and we have monthly adult only sessions to check-in on progress.

To learn more about play therapy, click here.

Elementary School

For elementary schoolers, we use a variety of methods depending on the age and needs of the child. We continue to involve caregivers heavily in treatment, though we may have some sessions with only the child.

We will typically continue to use play therapy, including drawing from the Theraplay model. We may also incorporate mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and sand tray therapy.

We will have family counseling sessions, working with the child and relevant family members. In addition, we will also provide parent coaching sessions, providing you with clear, practical strategies that you can use at home to provide the best support possible for your child.

Families who work with us for child and family counseling often report

• More joy and connection in their family

• Reduced tantrums

• Improved sleep, morning, and bedtime routines

• Fewer behavioral challenges at school

• More confidence in parenting strategies

• Increased confidence in their child

• Less worry and fear in their child

You might still have some questions about working with a counselor for your child. Here are some of the most common ones: