8 Signs Your Child Needs Help: A Parent’s Honest 2026 Guide<\/h1>\n\t\tBy the Resolutions Therapy Editorial Team \u00b7 11 min read<\/div>\n\t\tClinically reviewed by Danielle Mapes, LMSW<\/a> \u2014 20 years of experience working with children \u00b7 Last reviewed May 6, 2026<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\n\t\tThe number that should sit with you:<\/strong> Between 2016 and 2023, diagnosed anxiety in U.S. adolescents jumped 61% and depression rose 45%, according to CDC and NSCH data. The kids aren’t fine. The good news: when parents act on the signs early, treatment outcomes are excellent.\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t11%<\/div>\n\t\t\tChildren 3\u201317 with diagnosed anxiety (CDC)<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t19.2%<\/div>\n\t\t\tAdolescents 12\u201319 with depression<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t61%<\/div>\n\t\t\tOf diagnosed teens had trouble accessing care (2023)<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\tYour child isn’t acting like themselves. Maybe their grades are dropping, they’re melting down over things that didn’t used to bother them, or they’ve withdrawn from friends and activities they used to love. You’re wondering: is this just a phase, or do they actually need professional help?<\/p>\n\t
Knowing when to seek child therapy<\/strong> is one of the harder calls a parent makes. You don’t want to overreact. You also don’t want to wait six months and look back wishing you’d called sooner. This guide walks you through the eight signs that genuinely warrant a clinical conversation, what to expect if you make the call, and how to talk to your kid about it.<\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\t\tIn this guide<\/p>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t- What child therapy actually is<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t
- 8 signs your child may need help<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t
- What to expect at the first session<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t
- Therapeutic approaches that work for kids<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t
- How to talk to your child about therapy<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t
- Working with our team<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t
- Frequently asked questions<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ol>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n
\n![\"Parent](\"https:\/\/uscp1ac3.therasoftclinics.com\/RTLTT\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Untitled-design-41-1024x556.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\tWhat child therapy actually is<\/h2>\n\t
Child therapy \u2014 sometimes called pediatric counseling or children’s mental health treatment \u2014 is a specialized form of therapy designed to help kids process emotions, develop coping skills, and work through developmental challenges in age-appropriate ways. Unlike adult therapy, which leans heavily on talking, child therapy uses play, art, games, and structured activities. Kids often don’t have the words for what they’re feeling. Good child therapy doesn’t require them to.<\/p>\n\t
How it differs from adult therapy<\/h3>\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\ud83e\uddf8<\/div>\n\t\t\tPlay-based<\/h4>\n\t\t\t
Toys, games, and creative activities are the language. Kids reveal what they’re feeling through how they play.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\ud83d\udcac<\/div>\n\t\t\tAge-appropriate<\/h4>\n\t\t\t
Therapists meet kids developmentally \u2014 what works for a 6-year-old looks nothing like what works for a 14-year-old.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\ud83d\udc68\u200d\ud83d\udc69\u200d\ud83d\udc67<\/div>\n\t\t\tParent-involved<\/h4>\n\t\t\t
Parents are part of the process \u2014 coached on strategies to use at home so progress doesn’t end at the office door.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\u23f1\ufe0f<\/div>\n\t\t\tRight-sized sessions<\/h4>\n\t\t\t
Younger kids often work in shorter sessions to match their attention span. Teens often go full 45\u201350 minutes.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\ud83c\udfaf<\/div>\n\t\t\tBehavior-focused<\/h4>\n\t\t\t
For kids, change shows up in behavior first. Therapy targets what they’re doing<\/em>, not just what they’re feeling.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\ud83d\udd2c<\/div>\n\t\t\tEvidence-backed<\/h4>\n\t\t\t
Per the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, therapy is effective for a wide range of childhood mental health issues when delivered by trained professionals.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t8 signs your child may need help<\/h2>\n\t
Every kid has rough weeks. These are the patterns that warrant more than waiting it out.<\/p>\n\n\t\n\t
\n\t\t1<\/div>\n\t\tBehavioral changes that don’t pass<\/h3>\n\t\t
All kids have bad days. When the change lasts weeks or months<\/em>, that’s not a phase. It’s a signal.<\/p>\n\t\tWatch for:<\/strong> increased aggression or defiance \u00b7 sudden withdrawal from family or friends \u00b7 excessive clinginess or separation anxiety \u00b7 regression to earlier behaviors (bedwetting, baby talk) \u00b7 risk-taking or reckless behavior.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t2<\/div>\n\t\tSchool performance is dropping<\/h3>\n\t\t
When a previously engaged kid starts struggling academically, the cause is usually emotional, not academic.<\/p>\n\t\t
Red flags:<\/strong> grades dropping despite effort \u00b7 refusing to go to school or frequent “sick” days \u00b7 trouble concentrating or finishing homework \u00b7 teacher complaints about behavior \u00b7 loss of interest in learning.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t3<\/div>\n\t\tExcessive worry or anxiety<\/h3>\n\t\t
Some worry is normal. Anxiety that interferes with daily life isn’t.<\/p>\n\t\t
Signs of anxiety in children:<\/strong> constant worry about everyday situations \u00b7 physical complaints (stomachaches, headaches) without medical cause \u00b7 trouble sleeping or nightmares \u00b7 avoiding social situations or new experiences \u00b7 perfectionism or fear of making mistakes.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t4<\/div>\n\t\tPersistent sadness or mood changes<\/h3>\n\t\t
Kids can experience depression \u2014 and it usually doesn’t look like adult depression. In children, it often shows up as irritability<\/em>, not sadness.<\/p>\n\t\tWarning signs:<\/strong> persistent sadness or irritability \u00b7 loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy \u00b7 changes in appetite or sleep \u00b7 expressions of hopelessness or worthlessness \u00b7 talking about death or self-harm.<\/p>\n\t\tImportant:<\/strong> Any mention of self-harm or suicidal thoughts requires immediate professional attention. Call 988<\/strong> (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline \u00b7 24\/7), text HOME<\/strong> to 741741<\/strong>, or call our office at (316) 721-8118<\/strong> during business hours.<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t5<\/div>\n\t\tTrauma or major life changes<\/h3>\n\t\t
Events that look manageable to adults can overwhelm a child’s coping abilities. The size of the event isn’t the point \u2014 its impact on your kid is.<\/p>\n\t\t
Triggering events include:<\/strong> divorce or parental separation \u00b7 death of a family member or pet \u00b7 moving homes or schools \u00b7 witnessing violence or experiencing abuse \u00b7 serious illness (their own or a loved one’s) \u00b7 bullying or peer rejection.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t6<\/div>\n\t\tDifficulty with friendships and social situations<\/h3>\n\t\t
Kids who consistently struggle to make or keep friends often need support developing social skills \u2014 and the earlier, the better.<\/p>\n\t\t
Look for:<\/strong> consistent peer rejection or bullying \u00b7 trouble reading social cues \u00b7 extreme shyness or social anxiety \u00b7 aggressive behavior with peers \u00b7 isolation or strong preference to be alone constantly.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t7<\/div>\n\t\tADHD, autism, or other neurodevelopmental concerns<\/h3>\n\t\t
If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, or another neurodevelopmental condition, therapy is often a key part of helping them thrive \u2014 not just manage.<\/p>\n\t\t
Therapy helps kids:<\/strong> develop coping strategies for symptoms \u00b7 build social skills \u00b7 manage emotional regulation \u00b7 navigate challenges at school and home.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t8<\/div>\n\t\tYour gut says something is wrong<\/h3>\n\t\t
Sometimes you can’t point to one specific thing \u2014 but you know your child isn’t okay. Trust that. The parent instinct is a clinical tool.<\/p>\n\t\t
“This doesn’t feel like my child anymore.” \u00b7 “Something is off but I can’t explain what.” \u00b7 “We’ve tried everything and nothing is working.” \u00b7 “I’m worried but don’t know if I’m overreacting.”<\/p>\n\t\t
If any of those sentences match how you feel \u2014 book the consultation. You know your kid best.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n
\n![\"Child](\"https:\/\/uscp1ac3.therasoftclinics.com\/RTLTT\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Untitled-design-43-1-1024x556.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\tWhat to expect at the first session<\/h2>\n\t
Most parents feel anxious bringing their child to therapy. Here’s the actual sequence of how it tends to go, so you can prepare your kid (and yourself) honestly.<\/p>\n\n\t\n\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t\t1<\/div>\n\t\t\tParent-only intake<\/h4>\n\t\t\t
The first session is often just you. We talk through developmental history, current concerns, family dynamics, school context, and what success would look like.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2<\/div>\n\t\t\tBuilding rapport<\/h4>\n\t\t\t
Sessions 2\u20133 focus on getting your child comfortable. Through play, games, or age-appropriate conversation. Kids open up when they feel safe \u2014 that’s not negotiable.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t3<\/div>\n\t\t\tAssessment + plan<\/h4>\n\t\t\t
Through observation and interaction, we assess emotional regulation, coping mechanisms, social skills, and developmental fit. Then we build a treatment plan together with you.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t4<\/div>\n\t\t\tOngoing parent partnership<\/h4>\n\t\t\t
Therapy doesn’t work in a vacuum. We coach you on strategies to use at home, share progress (age-appropriately), and coordinate with schools when it helps.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\tTherapeutic approaches that work for kids<\/h2>\n\t
No single approach fits every child. Skilled child therapists pick from several modalities and adapt them to the kid in front of them.<\/p>\n\n\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPlay Therapy<\/h3>\n\t\t\t
For younger kids especially. Toys and games become the language for processing emotions, conflict, and stressful events.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)<\/h3>\n\t\t\t
Adapted for kids. Helps them notice the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors \u2014 and build tools to interrupt unhelpful patterns.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tSolution-Focused Therapy<\/h3>\n\t\t\t
Builds on a child’s existing strengths and what’s already working. Practical, brief, and energizing for kids who need a sense of agency.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tNarrative Therapy<\/h3>\n\t\t\t
Helps kids externalize problems (“the worry monster”) and re-author the story they tell about themselves. Powerful with anxiety and trauma.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tParent-Child Interaction Therapy<\/h3>\n\t\t\t
Real-time coaching for parents during play. The therapist guides through an earpiece while you and your child interact. Especially effective for behavioral concerns in younger kids.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tCrisis Intervention<\/h3>\n\t\t\t
When a family is in acute distress, the first job is stabilization \u2014 not diagnosis. Crisis-trained therapists meet families where they are.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t
\n\t\t“<\/div>\n\t\tMost parents wait too long because they don’t want to overreact. By the time they call, the kid has been struggling for months. The honest answer is: if it’s been weeks and you’re still worried, that’s already enough reason to come in. We’d rather see you and tell you they’re fine than have you keep wondering.<\/p>\n\t\t
Danielle Mapes, LMSW \u2014 20 years working with children \u00b7 Clinical reviewer
Editorial review, May 2026<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n
\n![\"Play](\"https:\/\/uscp1ac3.therasoftclinics.com\/RTLTT\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Untitled-design-42-1024x556.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\tHow to talk to your child about therapy<\/h2>\n\t
The introduction matters. Here’s age-appropriate language we hear works.<\/p>\n\n\t\n\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t\tAges 3\u20137<\/div>\n\t\t\tYounger children<\/h3>\n\t\t\t
“We’re going to meet someone who helps kids with their big feelings. They have toys and games, and they’re really good at helping kids feel better.”<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tAges 8\u201311<\/div>\n\t\t\tElementary-age<\/h3>\n\t\t\t
“I’ve noticed you’ve been feeling [sad \/ worried \/ angry] lately. We’re going to see a therapist \u2014 someone who helps kids figure out their feelings and teaches helpful ways to handle tough situations.”<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tAges 12\u201318<\/div>\n\t\t\tTeens<\/h3>\n\t\t\t
“I want to support you through what you’re going through. A therapist is like a coach for your mental health \u2014 someone who’s on your side and can give you tools to handle challenges. Would you be open to trying it?”<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t
\n\t\tKey points to emphasize at any age<\/h4>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t- Therapy is not a punishment<\/li>\n\t\t\t
- Lots of kids go to therapy<\/li>\n\t\t\t
- The therapist is there to help, not judge<\/li>\n\t\t\t
- You can talk about anything<\/li>\n\t\t\t
- We love you and we’re going to figure this out together<\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t
Working with our team<\/h2>\n\t
Our child therapy team works with kids ages 0\u201318 across a wide range of presentations \u2014 anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, behavioral issues, autism spectrum, grief, school-related challenges, and family transitions. Two clinicians anchor the work:<\/p>\n\n\t\n\t
Your child isn’t acting like themselves. Maybe their grades are dropping, they’re melting down over things that didn’t used to bother them, or they’ve withdrawn from friends and activities they used to love. You’re wondering: is this just a phase, or do they actually need professional help?<\/p>\n\t
Knowing when to seek child therapy<\/strong> is one of the harder calls a parent makes. You don’t want to overreact. You also don’t want to wait six months and look back wishing you’d called sooner. This guide walks you through the eight signs that genuinely warrant a clinical conversation, what to expect if you make the call, and how to talk to your kid about it.<\/p>\n\t\n\t In this guide<\/p>\n\t\t <\/p>\n\n Child therapy \u2014 sometimes called pediatric counseling or children’s mental health treatment \u2014 is a specialized form of therapy designed to help kids process emotions, develop coping skills, and work through developmental challenges in age-appropriate ways. Unlike adult therapy, which leans heavily on talking, child therapy uses play, art, games, and structured activities. Kids often don’t have the words for what they’re feeling. Good child therapy doesn’t require them to.<\/p>\n\t Toys, games, and creative activities are the language. Kids reveal what they’re feeling through how they play.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t Therapists meet kids developmentally \u2014 what works for a 6-year-old looks nothing like what works for a 14-year-old.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t Parents are part of the process \u2014 coached on strategies to use at home so progress doesn’t end at the office door.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t Younger kids often work in shorter sessions to match their attention span. Teens often go full 45\u201350 minutes.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t For kids, change shows up in behavior first. Therapy targets what they’re doing<\/em>, not just what they’re feeling.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t Per the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, therapy is effective for a wide range of childhood mental health issues when delivered by trained professionals.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Every kid has rough weeks. These are the patterns that warrant more than waiting it out.<\/p>\n\n\t\n\t All kids have bad days. When the change lasts weeks or months<\/em>, that’s not a phase. It’s a signal.<\/p>\n\t\t Watch for:<\/strong> increased aggression or defiance \u00b7 sudden withdrawal from family or friends \u00b7 excessive clinginess or separation anxiety \u00b7 regression to earlier behaviors (bedwetting, baby talk) \u00b7 risk-taking or reckless behavior.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t When a previously engaged kid starts struggling academically, the cause is usually emotional, not academic.<\/p>\n\t\t Red flags:<\/strong> grades dropping despite effort \u00b7 refusing to go to school or frequent “sick” days \u00b7 trouble concentrating or finishing homework \u00b7 teacher complaints about behavior \u00b7 loss of interest in learning.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t Some worry is normal. Anxiety that interferes with daily life isn’t.<\/p>\n\t\t Signs of anxiety in children:<\/strong> constant worry about everyday situations \u00b7 physical complaints (stomachaches, headaches) without medical cause \u00b7 trouble sleeping or nightmares \u00b7 avoiding social situations or new experiences \u00b7 perfectionism or fear of making mistakes.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t Kids can experience depression \u2014 and it usually doesn’t look like adult depression. In children, it often shows up as irritability<\/em>, not sadness.<\/p>\n\t\t Warning signs:<\/strong> persistent sadness or irritability \u00b7 loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy \u00b7 changes in appetite or sleep \u00b7 expressions of hopelessness or worthlessness \u00b7 talking about death or self-harm.<\/p>\n\t\t Events that look manageable to adults can overwhelm a child’s coping abilities. The size of the event isn’t the point \u2014 its impact on your kid is.<\/p>\n\t\t Triggering events include:<\/strong> divorce or parental separation \u00b7 death of a family member or pet \u00b7 moving homes or schools \u00b7 witnessing violence or experiencing abuse \u00b7 serious illness (their own or a loved one’s) \u00b7 bullying or peer rejection.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t Kids who consistently struggle to make or keep friends often need support developing social skills \u2014 and the earlier, the better.<\/p>\n\t\t Look for:<\/strong> consistent peer rejection or bullying \u00b7 trouble reading social cues \u00b7 extreme shyness or social anxiety \u00b7 aggressive behavior with peers \u00b7 isolation or strong preference to be alone constantly.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, or another neurodevelopmental condition, therapy is often a key part of helping them thrive \u2014 not just manage.<\/p>\n\t\t Therapy helps kids:<\/strong> develop coping strategies for symptoms \u00b7 build social skills \u00b7 manage emotional regulation \u00b7 navigate challenges at school and home.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t Sometimes you can’t point to one specific thing \u2014 but you know your child isn’t okay. Trust that. The parent instinct is a clinical tool.<\/p>\n\t\t “This doesn’t feel like my child anymore.” \u00b7 “Something is off but I can’t explain what.” \u00b7 “We’ve tried everything and nothing is working.” \u00b7 “I’m worried but don’t know if I’m overreacting.”<\/p>\n\t\t If any of those sentences match how you feel \u2014 book the consultation. You know your kid best.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n Most parents feel anxious bringing their child to therapy. Here’s the actual sequence of how it tends to go, so you can prepare your kid (and yourself) honestly.<\/p>\n\n\t\n\t The first session is often just you. We talk through developmental history, current concerns, family dynamics, school context, and what success would look like.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t Sessions 2\u20133 focus on getting your child comfortable. Through play, games, or age-appropriate conversation. Kids open up when they feel safe \u2014 that’s not negotiable.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t Through observation and interaction, we assess emotional regulation, coping mechanisms, social skills, and developmental fit. Then we build a treatment plan together with you.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t Therapy doesn’t work in a vacuum. We coach you on strategies to use at home, share progress (age-appropriately), and coordinate with schools when it helps.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n No single approach fits every child. Skilled child therapists pick from several modalities and adapt them to the kid in front of them.<\/p>\n\n\t For younger kids especially. Toys and games become the language for processing emotions, conflict, and stressful events.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t Adapted for kids. Helps them notice the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors \u2014 and build tools to interrupt unhelpful patterns.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t Builds on a child’s existing strengths and what’s already working. Practical, brief, and energizing for kids who need a sense of agency.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t Helps kids externalize problems (“the worry monster”) and re-author the story they tell about themselves. Powerful with anxiety and trauma.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t Real-time coaching for parents during play. The therapist guides through an earpiece while you and your child interact. Especially effective for behavioral concerns in younger kids.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t When a family is in acute distress, the first job is stabilization \u2014 not diagnosis. Crisis-trained therapists meet families where they are.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t Most parents wait too long because they don’t want to overreact. By the time they call, the kid has been struggling for months. The honest answer is: if it’s been weeks and you’re still worried, that’s already enough reason to come in. We’d rather see you and tell you they’re fine than have you keep wondering.<\/p>\n\t\t Danielle Mapes, LMSW \u2014 20 years working with children \u00b7 Clinical reviewer <\/p>\n\n The introduction matters. Here’s age-appropriate language we hear works.<\/p>\n\n\t\n\t “We’re going to meet someone who helps kids with their big feelings. They have toys and games, and they’re really good at helping kids feel better.”<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t “I’ve noticed you’ve been feeling [sad \/ worried \/ angry] lately. We’re going to see a therapist \u2014 someone who helps kids figure out their feelings and teaches helpful ways to handle tough situations.”<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t “I want to support you through what you’re going through. A therapist is like a coach for your mental health \u2014 someone who’s on your side and can give you tools to handle challenges. Would you be open to trying it?”<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t Our child therapy team works with kids ages 0\u201318 across a wide range of presentations \u2014 anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, behavioral issues, autism spectrum, grief, school-related challenges, and family transitions. Two clinicians anchor the work:<\/p>\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWhat child therapy actually is<\/h2>\n\t
How it differs from adult therapy<\/h3>\n\t
Play-based<\/h4>\n\t\t\t
Age-appropriate<\/h4>\n\t\t\t
Parent-involved<\/h4>\n\t\t\t
Right-sized sessions<\/h4>\n\t\t\t
Behavior-focused<\/h4>\n\t\t\t
Evidence-backed<\/h4>\n\t\t\t
8 signs your child may need help<\/h2>\n\t
Behavioral changes that don’t pass<\/h3>\n\t\t
School performance is dropping<\/h3>\n\t\t
Excessive worry or anxiety<\/h3>\n\t\t
Persistent sadness or mood changes<\/h3>\n\t\t
Trauma or major life changes<\/h3>\n\t\t
Difficulty with friendships and social situations<\/h3>\n\t\t
ADHD, autism, or other neurodevelopmental concerns<\/h3>\n\t\t
Your gut says something is wrong<\/h3>\n\t\t
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWhat to expect at the first session<\/h2>\n\t
Parent-only intake<\/h4>\n\t\t\t
Building rapport<\/h4>\n\t\t\t
Assessment + plan<\/h4>\n\t\t\t
Ongoing parent partnership<\/h4>\n\t\t\t
Therapeutic approaches that work for kids<\/h2>\n\t
Play Therapy<\/h3>\n\t\t\t
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)<\/h3>\n\t\t\t
Solution-Focused Therapy<\/h3>\n\t\t\t
Narrative Therapy<\/h3>\n\t\t\t
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy<\/h3>\n\t\t\t
Crisis Intervention<\/h3>\n\t\t\t
Editorial review, May 2026<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nHow to talk to your child about therapy<\/h2>\n\t
Younger children<\/h3>\n\t\t\t
Elementary-age<\/h3>\n\t\t\t
Teens<\/h3>\n\t\t\t
Key points to emphasize at any age<\/h4>\n\t\t
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Working with our team<\/h2>\n\t