Brighter Futures Counseling Offers therapy for children and families. We provide therapy for children 2 to 17 years old including individual, group, and family therapy.
Early Childhood Therapy Services
- Early Childhood Therapy includes therapy services for anyone 2 through age 5. “Early childhood mental health can be considered to be synonymous with healthy social and emotional development. It also refers to the mental health difficulties and disorders experienced by very young children” (Zero to Three National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families). Therapy works to alleviate the distress related to social, emotional, or developmental difficulties that young children and their families experience. Therapy promotes the return or movement toward healthy functioning–whether that be functioning in the home, with peers, in a preschool setting, in child care, or any other areas of life.
- Common issues experienced in Early Childhood include–
- Disruptive Behavior that results in harm to themselves, harm to peers, harm to adults, or harm to family members
- Disruptive Behaviors that are demonstrated by excessive tantrums and an inability to calm down
- Attachment concerns due to changes in caregivers or lack of quality relationships for the child.
- Adjustment concerns related to an adjustment the child has recently experienced–a recent move, a recent death, a recent divorce or separation, significant changes in routine, entering a new Child Care setting or School Setting, changes in living conditions or visitations
- Trauma concerns related to trauma experienced by the child–this may include sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, witnessing domestic violence, involvement in a car accident, involvement in a natural or man-made disaster, possibly even experiencing an attack by an animal such as a dog.
- Hyperactivity and/or impulsivity concerns that cause stress in the home , school, and/or child care setting and prevent the child from healthy functioning
- Focus and/or concentration concerns that cause concerns at home, school, and/or child care settings
- Sleep or Eating Concerns
- Toileting Concerns
- Emotional Management concerns–this may include high levels of fear, anxiety, worry, sadness, anger, etc… that interfere with the child’s and/or families‘ happiness and functioning
- Our Therapist is specially trained in Early Childhood Therapy and works with the child and family in a way that engages the child on his or her level. Therapy often incorporates play and is fun for the child and family. As children learn through play, play helps the child to process concerns and learn new ways to manage his or her issues. Family therapy is also an important factor when working with young children–we want to ensure the parents or care -givers have new strategies for helping their children and are involved in the therapy process.
Child and Adolescent Therapy Services
- Our Children and Adolescent Therapy Services are designed for Children 6 years old through 17 years old.
- Our therapist can help children, adolescents, and families cope with stress and a variety of emotional and behavioral issues. Many children and adolescents need help dealing with school stress, such as homework, test anxiety, bullying, or peer pressure. Others need help to discuss overwhelming feelings or feelings about family issues. Additionally, significant life events can cause stress that might lead to problems with behavior, mood, sleep, appetite, and academic or social functioning. Life events such as :
- the death of a family member, friend, or pet;
- divorce or a move
- abuse or other trauma — trauma may include: sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, witnessing domestic violence, involvement in a car accident, involvement in a natural or man-made disaster, possibly even experiencing an attack by an animal such as a dog.
- a parent leaving on military deployment
- a major illness in the family
**In some cases, it’s not always clear what caused a child to suddenly seem withdrawn, worried, stressed, sulky, or tearful. But if you feel your child might have an emotional or behavioral problem or needs help coping with a difficult life event, trust your instincts.
- Signs that a child or adolescent may benefit from therapy include:
- developmental delay in speech, language, or toilet training
- learning or attention problems (such as ADHD)
- behavioral problems (such as excessive anger, acting out, bedwetting or eating disorders)
- a significant drop in grades, particularly if your child normally maintains high grades
- episodes of sadness, tearfulness, or depression
- social withdrawal or isolation
- being the victim of bullying or bullying other children
- decreased interest in previously enjoyed activities
- overly aggressive behavior (such as biting, kicking, or hitting)
- sudden changes in appetite (particularly in adolescents)
- insomnia or increased sleepiness
- excessive school absenteeism or tardiness
- mood swings (e.g., happy one minute, upset the next)
- development of or an increase in physical complaints (such as headache, stomachache, or not feeling well) despite a normal physical exam by your doctor
- management of a serious, acute, or chronic illness
- signs of alcohol, drug, or other substance use (such as solvents or prescription drug abuse)
- problems in transitions (following separation, divorce, or relocation)
- grief issues
- therapy following sexual, physical, or emotional abuse or other traumatic events
- Significantly poor boundaries