It’s heartbreaking to watch your child struggle or engage in difficult or confusing behaviors. The fact of the matter is that when a child shows a change in behavior, they are likely dealing with difficulty handling their feelings or emotions about what is going on in their life.
Life changes and stressors that can cause upset emotions and difficult behaviors may include :
- A recent loss, such as a friend moving away, or illness or death of a pet, friend, or family member
- School stress, homework difficulties
- Problems with friends or other relationships
- Bullying
- Family conflict, fighting
- Divorce
- Health challenges, such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorder
- Low self esteem
The first and most important thing to know is that whatever your child is struggling with, getting the help of an experienced child therapist is a smart move. Just like you’d seek the help of a physician for a medical problem, it’s similarly smart to seek the help of an experienced mental health professional should your child be struggling with new behavior or upset feelings. And doing so will help not only your child but help you as well. Wouldn’t it be great to feel less alone in all this and to have someone guide you along the way?
Child therapy can help you gain insight into what might be going on with your child.
For example, if your child is acting out, refusing to follow directions, or not listening, that may be anxiety, not just a child being oppositional or difficult. You see, your child is trying to communicate something to you, but it may be hard to know just what it is they are trying to say, as she herself doesn’t know how to say it either. No wonder this is all so hard. Yet with the help of a skilled child therapist, you can learn what lies beneath the behavior change and learn how to best help your child, so she can move forward with the skills to be happy, make friends, and find success in school, in life, and in relationships with others.
Anxiety in Children
It’s normal for children to worry from time to time. But when fear or anxiety begins to interfere with school, friendships, family life, or everyday activities, it may be time for additional support. If your child seems to worry constantly, avoids certain situations, or is often overwhelmed by fears, you’re not alone—and help is available.
Anxiety in children can show up in many different ways. Some children become quiet and withdrawn, while others become irritable, clingy, or have frequent meltdowns. Common signs of childhood anxiety include:
- Excessive worry or “what if” thinking
- Difficulty separating from parents or caregivers
- Avoiding school, social situations, or new experiences
- Frequent stomachaches, headaches, or other physical complaints
- Trouble sleeping or nightmares
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability, restlessness, or feeling on edge
- Needing frequent reassurance
- Panic attacks or intense fears
Our therapists provide compassionate, evidence-based child anxiety therapy tailored to your child’s unique needs. We help children understand their worries, build confidence, develop healthy coping skills, and gradually face fears in a supportive, encouraging environment. We also partner with parents to provide practical strategies that strengthen your child’s resilience at home and beyond.
OCD in Children
It’s hard to watch your child get stuck in a cycle of worries and rituals. You may notice them washing their hands over and over, asking the same questions for reassurance, checking things repeatedly, or becoming very upset when things don’t feel “just right.” As a parent, you want to help—but it can be hard to know what’s normal and what may be signs of childhood OCD.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in children is an anxiety-related condition that causes unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions). Common child OCD symptoms include:
- fears of germs or getting sick
- worries about something bad happening
- excessive checking, counting, arranging items, or repeating actions
- needing constant reassurance
These behaviors aren’t attention-seeking or defiant—they’re your child’s way of trying to reduce overwhelming anxiety.
The good news is that OCD is highly treatable. With evidence-based therapy, including exposure and response prevention (ERP), children can learn to manage their anxiety, reduce compulsive behaviors, and regain confidence. Our therapists are extensively trained in working with OCD and work closely with both children and parents, providing practical tools and compassionate support so your child can get back to enjoying school, friendships, and family life.
Child Depression Therapy
When your child seems sad, withdrawn, or just not like themselves, you may wonder, Is my child depressed? Watching your child struggle can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. With the right support, children can learn healthy ways to cope and begin to feel like themselves again.
Depression in children often looks different than it does in adults. Common signs and symptoms of childhood depression include:
- Persistent sadness or frequent crying
- Irritability, anger, or emotional outbursts
- Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed
- Low energy or wanting to stay in bed
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Low self-esteem or being overly critical of themselves
- Excessive guilt
- Withdrawing from friends or family
- Increased sensitivity to rejection or criticism
- Talking about hopelessness or making suicidal statements
Our therapists provide compassionate, evidence-based child depression therapy in a safe and supportive environment. We help children understand their emotions, build healthy coping skills, and strengthen family relationships so they can regain confidence, resilience, and hope.
Child Behavior Therapy
When your child is frequently angry, defiant, or having meltdowns, family life can quickly become exhausting. You may feel like you’re constantly arguing, walking on eggshells, or wondering, Why is my child acting this way? Beneath challenging behaviors, there is often something deeper going on, and understanding the “why” is the first step toward helping your child.
Children don’t always have the words to express difficult emotions. Instead, stress, anxiety, sadness, or frustration may come out as anger, tantrums, aggression, refusing to listen, or difficulty following directions. Child behavior therapy can help uncover what’s driving these behaviors while teaching healthier ways to cope and communicate.
Our therapists work with children and parents to build the skills needed for calmer, more connected family relationships. Through child counseling, your child can learn to:
- Regulate big emotions, including anger and frustration
- Express thoughts and feelings in healthy ways
- Develop self-awareness and confidence
- Improve communication and problem-solving skills
- Handle stress and disappointment more effectively
- Build positive relationships with family and peers
Every child struggles sometimes, and challenging behavior doesn’t define who they are. With compassionate support and evidence-based child therapy, your family can better understand what’s behind the behaviors, strengthen your connection, and help your child thrive at home, at school, and in relationships.
You may also benefit from our three-session Behavior Management Training program for parents, which you can learn about here.
