Child and Teen Therapy
Seeing your child in emotional pain can make you feel helpless and overwhelmed. But as a parent, sometimes you’re just too close to the situation to help. We’ll work with your child to make sense of overwhelming feelings, relationship conflicts and difficult experiences. Dr. Agree’s mentalizing approach helps calms the chaos, make feelings manageable, and increase your child’s sense of confidence and security.
Is your child or teen exhibiting
- School anxiety, social anxiety, general worry
- Depression, persistent sadness, apathy, withdrawal
- Distance from you
- Social isolation, avoidance, difficulty with friends
- Hyper-socialization, peer group concern
- Self-loathing, self-criticism, low self-esteem
- Mood swings or outbursts
- Grief or loss (loved one, pet)
- Compulsive behaviors, risky behaviors, substance use concerns
- Academic struggles, ADHD
- Academic pressure, perfectionism
- Bullying (as victim, aggressor, bystander)
- Aggression, defiance, oppositional behavior
- Sibling or other family conflict
- Divorce or separation
- Other challenging or confusing moods, behaviors, or emotions
We can help children and teens
- Understand their thoughts, feelings and behaviors
- Build a stable identity
- Learn to think for themselves
- Enhance internal security and self-confidence
- Increase emotional resilience
- Manage feelings with words rather than (negative) behaviors
- Learn to self-soothe when overwhelmed
- Develop sound judgment
- Improve cognitive function by diminishing emotional obstacles
- Reduce self-consciousness and become more socially successful
- Increase empathic connection to others
- Identify and develop personal strengths
- Reduce emotional distress and increase sense of well-being
Consultation
Initial Meeting
The initial meeting may be solely with you, with your child alone, or with you together. The decision regarding who should attend the first meeting is based on your child’s age and your personal preferences. If your child is under the age of 12, it’s generally helpful to meet with you alone first, so that you can express your concerns and perspective. Teens are often comfortable coming alone to the first meeting, but we recommend leaving the decision up to them. There are no rigid rules; we’re pleased to accommodate whatever makes you and your child most comfortable.
We’ll ask questions to get a sense of the situation, and how we can help. Then we’ll give you our impression of the issues you’ve described, and provide you with a “road map” of our therapy process. Your family’s comfort is imperative, and we’re happy to discuss any questions or concerns you or your child may have.
ASSESSMENT
History & Assessment
After the first session, we’ll spend two to four sessions learning about your child’s background and personal history. With children under age 12, we like to meet with the parent(s) for one or two sessions in order to obtain relevant information. With older kids, it depends on the circumstances, but we’re always open to hearing from parents. During these sessions, we gather details, as well as informally assess for various skills, attachment patterns, and other aspects of your child’s experience to help us structure therapy to meet his/her specific needs.
THERAPY
Therapy sessions
Therapy with children and teens must be developmentally appropriate. With children ages 5 to 12, we incorporate a combination of play, art and talk therapy. Teens generally prefer talk therapy, but various methods of creative expression are often helpful. At every age, children should feel comfortable, engaged and interested, and our toolbox is full to ensure that this is the case.
We find therapy sessions to be most effective when conducted on a consistent. predictable schedule, at least once a week.
Review
Periodic Review
The feelings and opinions your child has about therapy are vital to the success of the relationship. We invite their feedback, regarding what seems to be working for them, or not, and we encourage them to bring up any issues whenever they arise. We find this enhances the therapeutic relationship and likelihood of success.
Parents are often completely excluded from their teen’s therapy. However, we have found that leaving parents out can be counterproductive in some circumstances. We believe it’s important to be accessible to parents to address any questions and concerns, and to provide parenting support when needed.
START IMPROVING YOUR CHILD’S LIFE TODAY
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FREQUENTLY ASKED Questions
How do I know if my child or teen needs therapy?
If your child or teen is showing signs of emotional distress, behavioral changes, difficulty at school or home, or is struggling with anxiety, sadness, anger, or social issues, therapy can help. It’s best to intervene early, rather than waiting for a crisis. Early support can make a big difference.
What issues do you help with?
We can help your child or teen overcome symptoms of anxiety, depression, irritability, ADHD, trauma, low self-esteem, grief, family conflict, divorce adjustment, school issues, social difficulties, and more. We’re able to address virtually any issue other than active suicidality, psychosis or life-threatening eating disorders.
What age groups do you work with?
We typically work with individuals age 5 and up.
What happens in a therapy session?
Sessions vary by age and personal preference. We allow the child to lead, as that encourages agency, responsibility and independent thinking, but we also provide guidance whenever needed. Younger children usually engage in play-based activities that help them express feelings and work through conflicts. Teens usually talk more directly about their experiences, but some find artistic expression or structured conversations helpful.
How often will my child need to attend?
Therapy works best when it’s frequent and consistent. We recommend weekly sessions, at least until any major distress has been diminished. We recognize that scheduling can be difficult and are happy to collaborate with you to create a schedule that meets your child’s needs.
How long does therapy usually last?
The length of therapy is up to you and your child. It depends on the severity of your child’s distress, his/her goals. Some children need short-term support (8–12 sessions), while others benefit from longer-term therapy.
Do parents participate in therapy sessions?
Yes. Especially for younger children, parent involvement is important. We’ll keep you informed and may request your involvement in sessions, or offer parent support to reinforce progress at home.
What if my child doesn’t want to talk or open up, or even come?
That’s OK! If you think your child would benefit from therapy, we suggest asking him/her to give it a chance by coming 3 times and then making a decision about continuing. We’ve had great success bringing kids and teens in with that approach. When they come in and don’t want to talk, we have lots of creative, non-threatening methods to help children and teens feel comfortable.
Will I know what my child or teen is saying in therapy?
We have to respect your child’s privacy to build trust, especially with teens. However, we’ll keep you updated on general themes and progress, and we’ll work with you if we see concerns. If we believe your teen is at risk of harm to self or others, or if there is suspected abuse, we are required to take protective steps. We also encourage open communication between teens and parents when appropriate, and will help you build trust with your teen when needed.
Do you accept insurance?
We are a private-pay provider and do not accept insurance. We accept credit, debit, HAS and FSA cards and can furnish you with superbills to submit to your insurance company in order to receive any out-of-network reimbursement to which you’re entitled. We are available to answer any questions you have regarding payment or insurance. You may also wish to review our rates.
How will I know if therapy is working?
You may notice your child becoming more calm, communicative, or confident. Sometimes teens begin expressing anger towards their parents more directly. This can be a bit shocking, but it’s a positive sign because when kids verbally express their emotions, they’re less likely to act them out in negative ways. It also provides you with new opportunities to build trust with your teen. We are here to support you and help you navigate these issues as they come up.
