Does your child have trouble navigating their emotions? Is their behavior sometimes disruptive to your home life? Have they experienced sudden loss or trauma?
As they grow, children and adolescents develop emotional intelligence and social skills that shape how they understand themselves and relate to others. When a child struggles to process their emotions, it can show up in challenging behaviors, difficulty at school, or emotional distress at home. These issues can impact their confidence, relationships, and overall well-being.
HeartFelt Mind Therapy believes strongly in the power of parent involvement. From the start, I collaborate with you to establish goals, provide regular feedback, and offer tools to support your child’s progress at home. This may include recommended resources or offering parent coaching sessions help you create a nurturing and consistent environment.
Effective Therapy for Children and Adolescents
Therapy offers children and teens a safe, supportive space to explore their feelings, build emotional insight, and develop healthy coping skills. With the guidance of a therapist specializing in child and adolescent mental health, your child can learn to navigate life’s challenges, improve their behavior, and feel more in control of their emotional world.
Heartfelt Mind Therapy tailors each treatment plan to meet your child’s specific needs. Our approach often draws from a combination of the following methods to support long-lasting healing and growth.
Play Therapy
Play Therapy is a developmentally appropriate approach that helps children process emotions and experiences in a way that feels natural and safe. Since children don’t always have the words to express what they’re going through, play becomes their language. In a structured and supportive play therapy environment, children use toys, games, art, and creative expression to explore their feelings, work through trauma, and develop healthier ways to cope.
My therapy office is equipped with a wide range of tools including art supplies, stuffed animals, ping pong, mini golf, sand tray, board games, and more. These familiar materials are used intentionally to help children express what may be hard to say out loud. Through play, children can build emotional awareness, increase skill-building and confidence, strengthen problem-solving skills, and create new pathways for growth.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps children understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It teaches them to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and replace them with more balanced and realistic ones. CBT is especially effective for treating anxiety, depression, and the effects of trauma.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT helps children and teens gain emotional flexibility. Rather than pushing feelings away, they learn how to acknowledge them, understand them, and take meaningful steps forward. This therapy approach equips your child with practical and tangible tools. It is helpful for children and teens who feel overwhelmed by emotions and need support in building self-awareness and emotional regulation.
Family Therapy
Family Therapy creates space for families to improve communication, strengthen bonds, and address patterns that may be contributing to a child’s emotional or behavioral struggles. Whether meeting as a full family unit or in smaller groups, we focus on building healthier dynamics that support your child’s overall wellbeing.
Who is Therapy Right For?
Children and adolescents of all ages can benefit from therapy. It improves their ability to identify and navigate emotions, setting a strong foundation for their future. Life transitions, stress, or emotional overwhelm can impact a child’s sense of safety and stability. Therapy can help them regain their footing, feel heard, and develop tools for lasting emotional growth.
Areas Commonly Treated:
Anxiety and excessive worrying
ADHD
Depression
Emotional dysregulation and mood swings
Grief and loss
Trauma and abuse
Behavioral challenges at home or school
Social skills difficulties
Changes in family structure (divorce, separation, blended families)
Bullying or peer conflict
Eating disorders
Adjustment to new environments (moving, starting a new school)
Identity exploration and self-esteem issues
Therapy is not a quick fix to a child’s behavioral or emotional issues as it takes time and consistency to see lasting growth. It is a thoughtful and comprehensive process that provides children with insights and skills to become masters of their thoughts and feelings. This, in essence, is how children develop into happy, healthy, and successful adults.
Let’s talk about how we can support your child’s emotional health and help your family thrive. Reach out today to get started!