Developmentally Attuned Counseling for Children

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.

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:​​

• ​Adoption
• Aggression / defiance
• Anxiety disorders / phobias
• Attachment problems
• Depression / mood disorders
• Difficulty adjusting to change or transition

• Emotional / behavioral dysregulation
• Grief / loss
• Problems with concentration, focus, and attention
• Social problems
• Trauma (e.g. from abuse, neglect, bullying, separation from caregivers, medical procedures, traumatic accidents)
  
• Withdrawal / isolation
  

Parents Play a Vital Role in Children's Therapy

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 your child on strengthening relationships; resolving conflict; expressing feelings in healthy ways; reducing anxiety; learning about the brain, body, and emotions; feeling safer and more confident in the world; and practicing regulation skills.

 Sometimes, a prerequisite to this work is helping parents build their comfort level with play and emotion and explore the dynamics of their feelings of connection to their child. Family therapy sessions may also be helpful in addressing 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 in the office or via video conference to discuss progress and 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.