Child and Adolescent Therapy
Childhood and adolescence are periods of significant growth, learning, and change. While exciting, these stages can also bring unique challenges for young people and their families. We provide a supportive and skilled approach to help children (aged 6+) and adolescents navigate emotional, behavioral, and social hurdles.
Common Concerns We Address in Children and Adolescents
We offer therapeutic support for a variety of issues affecting young people, including:
For Children (approx. ages 6-12):
- Anxiety, worries, and fears (e.g., separation anxiety, phobias, general worry)
- Behavioral challenges (e.g., defiance, aggression, difficulty with rules)
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) related challenges
- Gifted and Twice Exceptional related struggles
- Neurodivergent and Autism Spectrum challenges
- Social difficulties and peer relationship issues
- Adjusting to family changes (e.g., divorce, new sibling, moving)
- Grief and loss
- Trauma
- School-related stress or difficulties
- Low self-esteem
For Adolescents (Teens):
- Anxiety and stress (e.g., academic pressure, social anxiety)
- Depression and mood swings
- Self-esteem and identity development (including kids questioning identity)
- Peer pressure and relationship challenges
- Gifted and Twice Exceptional related struggles
- Neurodivergent and Autism Spectrum challenges
- Family conflict
- Coping with life transitions (e.g., starting high school or college)
- Grief and loss
- Trauma
- Self-harming behaviors
- Suicidal ideation
How Therapy Can Help Children and Adolescents
Therapy for young people is tailored to their developmental stage and unique needs. The goals often include:
- Providing a Safe Space for Expression: Offering a confidential environment where they can express feelings and thoughts without judgment.
- Developing Emotional Regulation Skills: Learning to identify, understand, and manage strong emotions in healthy ways.
- Building Coping Strategies: Acquiring tools to deal with stress, anxiety, sadness, or anger.
- Improving Social Skills & Peer Relationships: Enhancing communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills.
- Addressing Behavioral Challenges: Understanding the function of challenging behaviors and developing more positive alternatives.
- Processing Difficult Experiences: Working through trauma, grief, or significant life changes in a supportive setting.
- Boosting Self-Esteem and Confidence: Helping them recognize their strengths and build a positive self-image.
- Strengthening Family Relationships: Often, therapy involves working with parents/caregivers to improve communication, set effective boundaries, and support the child/teen's progress.
Parent/Caregiver Involvement: Your involvement as a parent or caregiver is crucial to your child's or teen's success in therapy. Kirsten will discuss with you how you can best support the therapeutic process, which may include regular check-ins, parent sessions, or family sessions, while respecting your child/teen's age-appropriate confidentiality. (See: Preparing Your Child or Teen for Their First Therapy Session)
Our Approach to Working with Young People
Kirsten Tretbar, LMFT, is dedicated to creating a therapeutic environment where children and adolescents feel understood, respected, and empowered. Her approach is:
- Developmentally Sensitive: Tailoring interventions to the child's or teen's age, maturity, and cognitive abilities.
- Strengths-Based: Focusing on and building their inherent strengths and resilience.
- Collaborative: Working with the young person, their family, and sometimes (with consent) schools or other important figures in their lives.
- Integrative: Utilizing techniques from various evidence-based modalities appropriate for youth, such as Play Therapy principles, Family Systems, and Narrative Therapy.
We believe in fostering not only symptom relief but also long-term skills that will support your child or teen as they continue to grow and navigate life's challenges.
If you are concerned about your child or adolescent and believe they could benefit from therapy, please schedule an initial consultation. We're here to discuss your concerns and explore how we can support your family.