Child Therapy |
No one knows better than parents/caregivers that children are each unique individuals with their own wants, needs, and challenges. Children come to WellSpring for many reasons. Sometimes parents are concerned about mood changes, anxiety or fears, behavioral issues, conduct problems, family stress, school problems, or difficulties getting along with peers. Sometimes parents want to make sure that their child is supported through a difficult time (such as when a family is separating, or when there has been a loss). Other times parents are looking for guidance on how to provide effective discipline in the home or how to support a child with special needs.
Therapy with children often involves play, which can help children to feel more comfortable and to communicate with the therapist. Parents will be involved in their child’s therapy throughout the process. Parents will also get assistance in developing strategies to help support their child’s health and wellbeing in the home.
Your child will have access to a number of therapeutic techniques, including play therapy, parent consultation, family therapy, relaxation training, cognitive/behavioral therapy, and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT; this type of therapy can be especially helpful for younger children who are having behavioral problems - to learn more about PCIT click here).
Adolescent THERAPY
Adolescents face a number of challenges at this stage of life. Sometimes adolescents come to therapy because they would like help achieving their goals, making and maintaining relationships, or because they have noticed symptoms of anxiety or depression and would like to reduce these symptoms. Adolescents may also come in because they are facing difficult situations in their lives, and they would like some support or help with these issues. Sometimes parents or caregivers bring adolescents to therapy because they are concerned about their child's wellbeing, changes in mood or behavior, anxiety/fears, eating disorders, family relationships, peer relationships, or other issues.
It can be difficult, especially at this stage of life, to communicate with others about problems or concerns. We will work closely with your adolescent to establish a trusting and supportive relationship. At your first session, you will discuss confidentiality. Most parents/caregivers choose to allow confidentiality (except in certain situations where the adolescent is at risk of harm; which will be discussed in depth at the first appointment) so that their teen is able to feel more comfortable talking to the therapist.
Groups for children/adolescents
We offer a variety of groups and psycho-educational classes for children and adolescents. Not all groups will be offered at all times. If you are interested in a particular group, please contact us to discuss when this group may be available. The following groups are currently running or coming soon:
Parenting Support
The old adage "It takes a village to raise a child" probably rings true for many parents. Whether you are a two-parent household, a single parent, an adopted or foster parent, a caregiver, or a couple going through a separation/divorce, parenting holds many challenges (even under the best of circumstances). Children also have their own unique strengths and weaknesses, and some children require more advanced parenting skills than others.
Whatever your situation, we are passionate about helping to promote effective and supportive parenting techniques. Developing and honing parenting skills can help to promote overall family health (and can help to ease stress on BOTH children and parents). We offer a number of options for parent training - as part of your child's therapy, as a separate parent-consultation, through courses and trainings, and sometimes services may be offered in a group format.
Course on effective parenting:
When you buy a new pencil sharpener, it comes with instructions. When you have, adopt, or foster a child, you essentially get the most complicated little thing on earth, with no instructions. Our belief is that effective parenting strategies exist, can be learned, and need to be taught. We are not born knowing how to read, drive a car, or even tie our shoes. These are all things we are taught (and figure out a bit on our own). Parenting is really no different. If you were lucky enough to have perfect caregivers, you may have learned a lot about parenting from them. Even so, there is probably a lot more to know. We strive to offer courses that will help you to be the very best parent you can be - and to enjoy it! Our Effective Parenting Course covers effective discipline strategies and how to maintain a healthy attachment to your child.
Click here for more information, including current or upcoming session dates and a registration link.
