Developmentally Attuned Counseling for Children
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Far from just being “little adults,” children possess a developmentally unique way of understanding their world and their place in it. When they are struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues, it is important that therapy adapt to their developmental level and “speak their language” – the language of play – to be most effective.
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When we play with someone, our defenses go down and our openness to relationship and new learning increases. To be able to play with someone is an indication of feelings of safety. That openness and safety creates an environment in which the work of therapy can occur and healing in a child’s life can take place. Through play, a child may be able to show what he or she cannot otherwise describe, and when an attuned therapist or parent communicates, “I see what you are trying to say and you matter deeply,” a window opens to learning to relate to self, others, and the larger world in healthier ways.
Arbor Cove Therapy, LLC provides counseling to children ages three and up that has relationship, as well as play and other forms of connection and creative expression at its heart. Our clinicians are trained and highly skilled in a number of modalities effective with children and excel in selecting the approach that best meets your child's stage of development, needs, and abilities.
Some of the issues we treat include:
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Parents Play a Vital Role in Children's Therapy
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As a parent, you are an integral part of your child’s time at Arbor Cove Therapy, LLC. Ideally, we want you in therapy sessions with your child! Your participation allows us to work more effectively with you and your child together on healing broken attachments; resolving conflict; expressing feelings more appropriately; learning about the brain, body, and emotions; and practicing regulation skills.
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Sometimes, a prerequisite to this work is parent sessions devoted to reflecting on your own childhood, comfort with play and emotion, and feelings of connection to your child. Family therapy sessions are also helpful in exploring your child's difficulties within the larger dynamic of the family. In situations where a parent can't be in session with their child, perhaps due to childcare needs, we schedule parent sessions on a regular basis to discuss progress as well as suggestions for how to support your child at home.
Ideally, therapy with children is a true team effort consisting of child, parent, and therapist jointly working together. We invite you to watch the videos below to learn more about the value of therapeutic play and some of the modalities we incorporate into our work with children. We love what we do!
Contact Arbor Cove Therapy to learn more or schedule an appointment.
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