Child and Teen Therapy

Child and teen therapy adapts therapy approaches to the developmental stage, communication style, and family context of younger people. Care often involves both the young person and their caregivers, with attention to school, friendships, sleep, and the routines that shape daily life.

• Psychotherapy
• Skills Training
• Family Intervention
• Psychoeducation

What to expect

• Anxiety, low mood, irritability, or sleep changes that persist over weeks or months.
• School avoidance, social withdrawal, declining grades, or behavior changes at home or school.
• Family transitions such as separation, loss, a new sibling, a move, or a parent's illness.
• Concerns about attention, emotional regulation, peer conflict, or risk-taking behavior in adolescence.

Approaches we use

• Age-appropriate therapy that may include play, art, talk, and structured skills work.
• Skills-based approaches such as CBT, DBT-informed coping, and mindfulness-based grounding when clinically appropriate.
• Caregiver involvement when shared language and consistent home support help the young person make progress.
• Coordination with school counselors, pediatricians, or specialists when accommodations or evaluations are being considered.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Who this helps

• Children and teens whose worries or moods get in the way of school or daily routines.
• Families adjusting to a stressful change at home, school, or with peers.
• Adolescents looking for a private space to process pressure and identity questions.
• Caregivers seeking guidance on how to respond to a young person's emotional or behavioral concerns.

Frequently asked questions

• How is child and teen therapy different from adult therapy?

  Therapy is matched to the young person's developmental stage and communication style. Sessions may include play, drawing, structured skills, and caregiver participation, depending on age and goals.
• Do parents or caregivers participate in sessions?

  Caregiver involvement varies by age, presenting concern, and clinical fit. Younger children often have more caregiver involvement; teens may have more individual sessions with periodic family check-ins.
• What if my teen does not want to come to therapy?

  Reluctance is common. A first session can focus on the young person's questions, comfort, and what would make therapy feel useful — without requiring them to commit before they are ready.