Children’s Therapy

Something’s wrong…

You are worried that your child’s hyperactivity, lack of focus, worry, or sadness are just the tip of the iceberg.

Does it seem like your child’s current emotional state and behavior are likely to only get worse?

You’ve tried… you hoped it would get better.

You’ve tried in every way that you can to help your child feel less sad, worried, unfocused, get back to normal.

Now, you are not sure what normal is anymore? You do know your child needs help.

Love misunderstood…

You have seen the sadness, frustration, and anger as your child has attempted to be more focused, more on task, more able to get their schoolwork done.

Your child doesn’t understand that your worry, your caring, and attempts to control their pain are signs of love. They may see it as disapproval of them.

You are trying to help but are somehow making it worse.

Connecting, understanding, and support…

My first goal as a therapist is to connect, build trust with you and your child.

Once we have established trust, I will ask that you and your child tell me your story, “…from as far as you can remember to why you think you are sitting in that chair?”

I will then work closely with your child to bring understanding to the important events from their past which may be impacting their life now. Mainly, though, I will provide a safe place for them to process their feelings, their thoughts, their successes and challenges.

Passing on lessons learned…

Once your child has expressed their story, understands it better, and has seen the importance of change, we will begin to bring you back into therapy to analyze what has been learned and how it can be transferred from me to you.

For instance, your child might demonstrate in session how they now can identify the events or triggers which upset them, make use of coping skills, such as taking five deep breaths when stressed, journaling or drawing to express their feelings, and how they will use them to prevent their getting frustrated, sad, angry…

Your “homework” will be to implement what has worked in therapy at home.

Healthy patterns are possible.

It has been my experience that once trust is earned, children will tell you what’s on their mind.

And once they figure out why a treatment goal is worth pursuing (less pain, more happiness) then one success leads to another, and they identify and chase other goals! A healthy pattern begins.

You have loved. You have tried. You know now that your child’s struggle requires more.

Call me at (815) 325-8116 for the help you know your child needs!