Individual Therapy for Children and Adolescents

Children and adolescents can experience mental, emotional, and behavioral problems similar to those of adults, but they often express these issues differently. They may also face challenges specific to their age group, frequently feeling depressed, anxious, confused, or hopeless in response to their circumstances. Many children and adolescents are afraid to share their feelings or problems with loved ones, peers, or others for various reasons, including fear of being judged or ridiculed or the belief that no one will understand them or their problems.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that occur during childhood, such as experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect. Witnessing violence in the home or community; having a family member attempt or die by suicide; missing parental figures or experiencing divorce; having a parental figure with a mental illness or substance abuse problem; experiencing homelessness or discrimination, and so forth. ACEs can have lasting effects on the health and wellbeing of children and adolescents into adulthood. The more ACEs a child or adolescent experiences, the more likely they are to suffer from medical issues such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes, as well as mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. They may also face challenges such as poor academic achievement, substance abuse, risk of violence (both as victims and perpetrators), relationship issues, unstable employment histories, financial struggles, intergenerational effects, and an increased risk of early death.

However, children and adolescents who have experienced significant challenges or multiple ACEs can still benefit from participating in trauma-informed modalities. In treatment, we provide a safe place for them to process their trauma and learn effective strategies for healing without fear of judgment. Furthermore, we help them feel understood and reassure them that they are not alone in facing their problems, as many children and adolescents today face traumatic events.

We strongly encourage parents and caregivers to learn how to recognize the signs of trauma and the symptoms of mental illness and/or substance abuse so they can seek appropriate treatment for their child or adolescent as soon as possible. When children and adolescents receive such treatment (i.e., therapy), they can learn to manage their symptoms, develop healthy coping strategies, overcome current and future challenges, heal from past traumatic experiences, and change negative self-talk and outlook, all of which will benefit them as adults.

If you have noticed that your child or adolescent is, or might be, experiencing a traumatic event, please contact us today!

“Our children are our future and one of the basic responsibilities is to care for them in the best and most compassionate manner possible.”

~ Nelson Mandela