Counseling for Children
I help children who struggle with anxiety, depression, behavior issues, like meltdowns, and outbursts; or have experienced hard things such as, trauma, chronic stress, bullying, adoption, illness or death of a loved one.
Whether your child is struggling to handle emotions, deal with family issues, cope with physical health limitations, succeed socially or other challenges, you should know that there is a way.
Your child does not have to worry about how they may lose control or wonder how to manage their behavior.
Therapy for children can help your child cope and feel better. Counseling offers your child a safe and supportive space to process his/her problems and explore solutions.
Common reasons to begin therapy for children:
Problems in school, family or bullying, divorce, abuse, or parental addiction
Consistent feelings of anger, grief, and loss or worry
Complaints of headaches and stomachaches
A tendency to overreact to situations
A drop in grades
Unable to concentrate
Sleep disturbances and nightmares
Aggression
Withdrawing socially
Therapy allows the child to explore their world, heal their trauma, cope with their grief, and develop skills to self-regulate. Play therapy is not like regular play. I use therapeutic play therapy for children such as Theraplay,® Sandtray with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Somatic Experiencing® to address and resolve the child’s problems. Play therapy for children allows the child to express themselves through play because they haven’t yet developed the capacity to communicate certain things like teens and adults can. This is especially true if a child has experienced a stressful event or trauma at a young age. Theraplay®, EMDR, and Somatic Experiencing are evidence-based modalities. Theraplay® is a dyadic child and family therapy to strengthen attachment between child and parent(s)/caregiver(s). EMDR effectively addresses a child's negative belief that they are not 'good enough' or 'something is wrong with me.' Additionally, Somatic Experiencing and Brainspotting® help children heal stress symptoms that they don't have words for. These treatments are especially helpful if play therapy hasn't helped in the past.
As a result of counseling your child can…
Learn how to control outbursts and communicate effectively;
Start to learn how to express and experience their emotions;
Develop a positive sense of self and learn how to be kind to themselves and others;
Deepen their relationship with parents and family;
Process the issues they don’t have words for.
Your child can go from surviving to thriving!
For Parents
Maybe your child’s behavior triggers you, or you find yourself saying things or reacting in ways that remind you of your parents. I will provide you with strategies on how to not act on triggers, support your child as you strengthen your relationship. If needed, I collaborate and will refer you to an adult therapist, to provide you the skills to support your child for lasting change.
You and I are going into this as a team. Maybe, you’ll be accompanying your child to our sessions and we’ll process things together. Other times, we’ll check in periodically on individual progress. I’m not here to tell you you’re a bad parent or that your kid is beyond help. That’s not how this works. Together we can work with your child towards achievable, realistic goals to help your child become the best version of themselves. I am willing to refer interested parents to a therapist who works directly with the parent on their individual issues.
Maybe there is something holding you back from beginning therapy for children.
If time is an issue and you’re looking for child counseling near me, I offer online counseling not only for kids in Phoenix but also throughout Arizona. Or maybe you’re worried that you’re overreacting and your child will grow out of it, or maybe you’re concerned about the cultural stigma of therapy or worried you’re a bad parent? This is hard. I get it. There’s no manual and you’re trying your best. The difficult thing is your child is hitting developmental and biological milestones and if issues are left unaddressed that could have a lasting impact on their emotional well-being. Children can benefit from talk therapy. My hope is to help your child and family heal, find joy and thrive.
Hope, healing, and change are possible, for your child and family.
If you and your young child are struggling right now, you don’t need to keep suffering. Children who receive counseling can find develop tools to cope, learn how to better express their feelings, and become more resilient. In addition, you will walk away with tools to support them and navigate his/her highs and lows. My Phoenix, Arizona online counseling practice offers several types of highly effective therapeutic modalities (available from anywhere in the state) for healing and lasting change. To begin counseling for children follow these simple steps:
Schedule a consult with Tahirih, a skilled, and caring child therapist
Start giving your child the tools to enjoy their childhood!
Other Counseling specialties Tahirih Herrera, LCSW provides:
Therapy for children in Phoenix, AZ isn’t the only service I offer in my Phoenix, AZ practice. Other areas of focus and mental health services Tahirih Herrera, LCSW Counseling provides include grief and loss, anxiety treatment, EMDR, trauma, pre-teen therapy, therapy for teens. All these services are available via online therapy in Arizona. I am excited to work with you, get in touch today to begin your healing journey.
