Counseling for Children and Adolescents

Children and adolescents experience a wide range of emotions as they grow, learn, and navigate increasing academic, social, and personal demands. At times, these challenges can feel overwhelming—for both children and their families. Counseling provides a supportive space for children and teens to better understand their feelings, build coping skills, and develop healthier ways of managing stress and emotions.

My approach to counseling is collaborative, strengths-based, and tailored to each child’s unique developmental needs. I focus on helping children feel understood, supported, and empowered while working closely with parents to promote consistency and progress beyond the therapy room.

Who Benefits from Counseling?

Counseling may be helpful for children and adolescents who:

  • Experience anxiety, worry, or frequent fears

  • Struggle with emotional regulation, frustration, or mood changes

  • Have difficulty coping with stress, transitions, or life changes

  • Show signs of low self-esteem or negative self-talk

  • Have challenges with peer relationships or social confidence

  • Feel overwhelmed by academic or performance expectations

  • Have ADHD, learning differences, or other neurodevelopmental profiles and need emotional support

Areas of Focus

Counseling sessions are individualized and may address:

  • Emotional awareness and expression

  • Coping strategies for anxiety and stress

  • Frustration tolerance and emotional regulation

  • Social skills and peer interactions

  • Building confidence, resilience, and self-advocacy

  • Problem-solving and flexible thinking

How Counseling Works

Counseling sessions are developmentally appropriate and may incorporate conversation, play-based strategies, structured activities, and skills practice, depending on the child’s age and needs. Parent collaboration is an essential part of the process, particularly for younger children, to support skill generalization and meaningful change.

Counseling may be offered as a stand-alone service or integrated with evaluation findings to ensure that emotional support aligns with a child’s cognitive, academic, and executive functioning profile.

A Thoughtful, Strengths-Based Approach

Counseling is not about labeling or pathologizing a child’s experiences. It is about helping children understand themselves, build effective coping tools, and develop confidence in their ability to manage challenges. My goal is to support emotional growth in a way that is compassionate, practical, and grounded in each child’s strengths.