Our specialized child therapist, Conner Dunn, works with children and teens ages 4 to 13. This age range allows us to use developmentally appropriate techniques including play therapy, expressive therapy, and cognitive behavioral approaches tailored to each child’s stage of development.

Play therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses play as a way for children to express their feelings, thoughts, and experiences. Since children often lack the vocabulary to express complex emotions, play becomes their natural language. Through toys, games, art, and sand trays, children can process difficult experiences, develop coping skills, and work through anxiety, trauma, or behavioral challenges in a safe, supportive environment.

Signs that your child might benefit from therapy include persistent sadness or withdrawal, sudden changes in behavior, difficulty at school, excessive worry or fears, trouble sleeping, aggressive behavior, difficulty making friends, or regression to earlier behaviors. If your child has experienced a traumatic event, major life change like divorce, or you’re concerned about their emotional well-being, a consultation can help determine if therapy would be beneficial.

Yes, we believe in the strength of family support. Our therapy involves collaboration with parents and caregivers to ensure a holistic approach to your child’s mental health. Parent involvement may include regular updates on progress, learning techniques to support your child at home, and family sessions when appropriate. The level of involvement is tailored to your child’s specific needs and therapeutic goals.

The first session typically involves meeting with parents to discuss your concerns and your child’s history, followed by time with your child to begin building rapport. We create a warm, welcoming environment so your child feels safe. The therapist will use age-appropriate activities to help your child feel comfortable. We’ll discuss goals and develop a personalized treatment approach based on your family’s needs.

Child therapy can help with a wide range of challenges including anxiety and excessive worry, depression and sadness, behavioral problems, difficulty with emotional regulation, social skills challenges, adjustment to divorce or family changes, grief and loss, trauma, ADHD-related challenges, school-related stress, and building coping skills and resilience.

Yes, we offer a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your child’s needs and determine if our services are a good fit. This gives you the opportunity to ask questions, learn about our approach, and get a sense of how we can help your child. Call us at 801-272-3420 to schedule your free consultation.