Child therapy
When your child is struggling emotionally or behaviorally, finding the right support can help them develop the resilience and coping skills they need to thrive. At our Bellevue counseling practice, we specialize in providing compassionate, evidence-based therapy for children ages 10 and up. Our team of skilled therapists understands the unique developmental needs of children and creates a safe, welcoming environment where young people can express themselves and grow.
We offer both in-person sessions at our Bellevue office and online counseling options to meet your family's needs.
Signs Your Child May Benefit from Therapy
Children may benefit from professional support when they experience persistent changes in behavior, mood, or functioning that interfere with their daily life. This might include withdrawal from activities they once enjoyed, increased irritability or emotional outbursts, difficulty in school, challenges with peer relationships, or changes in sleep and eating patterns.
Many children face challenges that respond well to therapeutic intervention, including anxiety that prevents them from participating in age-appropriate activities, difficulty processing traumatic experiences, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, attention and focus challenges, or adjusting to significant life changes like parental divorce or the loss of a loved one.
Therapy isn't only for severe situations. Many families find that working with a therapist helps their child develop emotional intelligence, build confidence, and navigate the natural challenges of childhood with greater ease.
How We Help Children
Anxiety - When worry interferes with school, friendships, or daily activities, we help children understand their anxious feelings and develop age-appropriate strategies to manage them. We work on gradually facing feared situations in supportive ways that build confidence.
Trauma - Children who have experienced difficult or frightening events need specialized, trauma-informed care. We provide a safe therapeutic space where young people can process these experiences at their own pace, helping them feel secure and supported as they heal.
OCD - Obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors can be particularly distressing for children. We use evidence-based approaches to help young people gradually reduce these symptoms and reclaim time for play, learning, and connection with others.
ADHD - While we don't diagnose or manage medications, we help children with attention challenges develop organizational skills, create supportive routines, and manage the emotional impact of struggling in areas where peers seem to excel easily.
Grief and Loss - Children process loss differently than adults and may benefit from guidance in understanding and expressing their emotions. We help young people make sense of grief in age-appropriate ways, providing space for them to express whatever feelings arise.
Our Therapeutic Approaches for Children
We believe that effective therapy must be tailored to each child's unique personality, developmental stage, and needs. Our therapists are trained in multiple evidence-based modalities, allowing us to create personalized treatment plans.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) helps children process traumatic experiences without having to talk about every detail. This specialized approach is particularly effective for young people who have difficulty verbalizing what happened or feel uncomfortable discussing traumatic events.
Trauma-Focused CBT combines cognitive and behavioral techniques with trauma-sensitive interventions designed specifically for children. Young people learn about the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors while developing coping skills for managing difficult emotions.
ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) is the gold-standard treatment for childhood OCD. We work collaboratively with each child, moving at a manageable pace as they gradually face their fears and learn that they can handle uncomfortable feelings without compulsive behaviors.
IFS (Internal Family Systems) helps children understand the different parts of themselves in developmentally appropriate ways. Young people learn that all their feelings make sense and develop greater self-awareness and self-compassion.
DBT Skills adapted for children teach practical strategies for managing big emotions, getting through difficult situations, and improving relationships with family and friends.
What to Expect from Child Therapy
Starting therapy is an important step, and we want both you and your child to feel comfortable with the process. The first session focuses on getting to know your child and understanding what brings your family to therapy. We create a welcoming, safe space where children can begin to share what's been worrying or bothering them.
For younger children, parents are typically involved in much of the initial conversation and throughout the therapy process. We believe in collaborative care where families work together as partners in supporting the child's growth and healing.
The early sessions focus on building trust and rapport. Children need to feel comfortable with their therapist before meaningful therapeutic work can happen. Our therapists take time to connect with each child, showing genuine interest in their world, their interests, and their experiences.
As therapy progresses, we work with your child and family to identify specific goals and create a personalized treatment plan. Some children benefit from learning and practicing coping skills. Others need support processing difficult experiences. Many young people work on building emotional awareness, improving relationships, or developing confidence.
Therapy typically involves consistent weekly sessions over a period of time—often 12 weeks to a year—depending on the concerns being addressed. Regular meetings allow us to address key concerns, follow up on progress, and help your child practice new skills in their daily life.
Why Families Choose Our Practice for Child Therapy
Developmentally Appropriate Care - We understand that children are not just small adults. We tailor our approach to each child's developmental stage, using age-appropriate language, activities, and interventions that resonate with young people.
Personalized Treatment - We believe there is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Every child receives a treatment plan designed specifically for their unique personality, experiences, challenges, and strengths.
Experienced, Compassionate Team - Our practice brings together multiple skilled therapists who are both professionally competent and genuinely caring. We create warm, safe environments where children feel comfortable being themselves.
Family-Centered Approach - We recognize that supporting a child means supporting the whole family. We maintain open communication with parents, provide guidance for supporting your child's progress at home, and honor your role as the expert on your child.
Convenient Location and Flexible Options - Located in Bellevue, we serve families throughout the area. We offer both in-person sessions at our office and online counseling to accommodate different preferences, schedules, and comfort levels.
Professional Excellence - Families choose us for our stellar administrative team that makes scheduling seamless, our punctual and professional clinicians, and our commitment to providing high-quality care to every child we serve.
Supporting Your Child's Progress
As a parent, you play an essential role in your child's therapeutic journey. We encourage you to present therapy positively, helping your child understand that seeking help is a sign of strength. Many successful people work with therapists to develop skills and work through challenges.
Maintaining consistency with appointments is important, even when progress feels slow or your child seems resistant. Therapy takes time, and building trust with a therapist is foundational to the work that follows.
We'll provide guidance on how to support your child's progress between sessions. This might include practicing coping skills together, making adjustments to routines, or responding to behaviors in new ways. Your involvement and follow-through significantly enhance the effectiveness of therapy.
Begin Your Child's Healing Journey
If your child is struggling with anxiety, recovering from difficult experiences, managing obsessive-compulsive behaviors, navigating attention challenges, or processing loss, our Bellevue counseling team is here to help. We provide the specialized support young people need to develop emotional resilience, build confidence, and thrive.
We invite you to reach out to our office to learn more about our services, discuss whether we're the right fit for your family, and take the first step toward support. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or ask any questions about how we can help your child.
Our Bellevue practice specializes in therapy for children ages 10 and up. We provide individual therapy and online counseling using evidence-based approaches including EMDR, Trauma-Focused CBT, ERP, IFS, and DBT skills. Serving families throughout the Bellevue, WA area with compassionate, professional care.