Therapy for Children
in Cary, NC

Do You Often Worry About Your Child’s Emotional Health?

Does your child seem anxious or depressed?
Have you noticed that your child is avoiding playdates or social gatherings or skipping out on other potentially stressful activities?
Is your child having trouble in school or struggling to make friends?
Has a recent major change like a move, death, divorce rocked their world and they are not sure how to cope?

As a parent, nothing is worse than seeing your child unhappy. Whether your child has been sad, anxious, angry, or even defiant, you might feel like you’ve already tried everything to help them. Now, you’re trying to figure out where to turn.

Counseling can help you understand what’s been going on in your child’s life and find out what you can do to help them with their struggles. A skilled therapist who specializes in children can teach you and your child important age-appropriate skills and coping tools to tackle the challenges they’re facing in daily life.

Today’s Kids Have A Very Different Childhood Than Their Parents Had

It’s easy to feel like you’re the only parent whose child is suffering from anxiety, depression, or another emotional issue. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. Today, countless parents are worried about their children’s emotional well-being.

Just like adults, children often find it challenging to cope with the pressures of modern life.

They face intense academic demands at school and are expected to start juggling extracurricular activities at a young age. Plus, even if you keep a tight rein on your child’s use of electronics, children are still exposed to social media culture or things they overhear that cause them worry and concern.

Children Are My Specialty

We take a different approach to therapy for children than adults. What does that look like?

For younger children – I am a Registered Play Therapist.

”Play Therapy is based upon the fact that play is the child’s natural medium of self expression ...It is an opportunity which is given to the child to ‘play out’ his feelings and problems just as in certain types of adult therapy an individual ‘talks out’ his difficulties.” Virginia Axline

A play therapist has been trained to assist your child as they process their feelings through the use of sandtray, dollhouses, role play, etc.

For older kids and tweens – I combine evidence- based treatment with fun intentional activities carefully chosen from years of child-centered trainings. I tailor these so they are specific to your child’s individual interests and presenting concerns. These activities encourage kids to not only express themselves freely in a way they feel comfortable but also helps them learn coping skills for whatever difficulty they are facing. And it’s fun, so they enjoy coming.

They will learn to express their feelings honestly, rather than yelling or shouting. Through this process, your child will learn how to open up when they’re upset, rather than worrying, suppressing their feelings, or trying to detach themselves from their emotions.

With Therapy, Parents And Children Can Find Realistic Solutions

You will benefit from the process, too. I will maintain an open line of communication with you so that you can work with your child at home on the skills they’ve learned in sessions. You will typically leave each session with things you can implement and practice with your child at home. In turn, based on what you’re learning, you’ll be able to tweak your parenting style to better communicate with your child and cultivate a deeper sense of trust within your relationship.

By working with a therapist who specializes in children and personalizes treatment, your child can truly learn to thrive!

There are numerous circumstances that can rock your child’s world. Therapy provides a safe, supportive space where your child can learn about their emotions, practice new coping skills, and gradually build confidence in handling situations that once felt overwhelming.

At the same time, you'll gain a better understanding of what your child is experiencing and learn practical ways to support them at home.

Therapy Can Help Your Child Feel More Confident

What You Can Expect

During your first sessions, your therapist will spend time getting to know your child, learning about their unique challenges, and understanding the issues that are affecting your family.

Together, you'll:

● Explore what's contributing to your child's feelings.

● Identify situations that trigger specific thoughts or behaviors

● Develop realistic goals for treatment

● Create a personalized plan that fits your child's age, personality, and needs

As therapy progresses, your child will begin learning healthy ways to manage their specific situation, express difficult emotions, and face challenges with greater confidence. Many parents also notice improvements in family relationships as everyone gains a better understanding of anxiety and how to respond to it.