Child & Adolescent Therapy: Nurturing Growth in Young Hearts & Minds

Specialized support designed to help children and teens navigate their unique emotional and developmental journey.

Child and adolescent therapy provides specialized mental health support tailored to the unique developmental needs of young people.

Through play-based, creative, and age-appropriate interventions, we help children and teens process their experiences, develop emotional regulation skills, and build resilience in a safe, supportive environment.

THE TESS APPROACH TO CHILD & ADOLESCENT THERAPY

At TESS, our approach to child and adolescent therapy recognizes that young people experience and express their emotions differently from adults.

We understand that children and teens may not always have the words to describe their feelings, which is why we incorporate expressive modalities that meet them where they are developmentally and emotionally.

Our therapists are specially trained in trauma-informed care for young people, understanding how early experiences shape developing brains and behaviors. We use evidence-based approaches, including play therapy, art therapy, sand tray therapy, and narrative therapy, alongside traditional talk therapy methods appropriate for older adolescents.

We create a therapeutic environment where young people feel genuinely safe to explore their feelings without judgment. Our approach is strengths-based, focusing on each child's inherent resilience and capacity for growth. We also recognize the importance of family involvement and work collaboratively with parents and caregivers to support healing both within sessions and at home.

Whether a young person is struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma responses, behavioral challenges, or life transitions such as family changes or school difficulties, our goal is to provide them with tools for emotional regulation, healthy coping strategies, and a stronger sense of self-worth and hope for their future.

HOW IT CAN BENEFIT YOUR CHILD

We meet clients where they are — emotionally, mentally, and developmentally — and tailor our support to meet their evolving needs.

✔ Enhanced emotional awareness and regulation skills

✔ Increased self-confidence and resilience

✔ Development of healthy coping strategies for stress and difficult emotions

✔ Improved communication and social skills

✔ Better family relationships and attachment security

✔ Processing of traumatic or difficult experiences in a safe environment

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • We provide specialized therapy for children as young as 3 years old through adolescents up to age 18. Our approaches are tailored to each developmental stage.

  • Parent involvement varies based on the child's age and needs. We typically include regular parent sessions for younger children and may have periodic family sessions for adolescents, always with respect for the therapeutic relationship.

  • We use developmentally appropriate techniques, including play therapy, art therapy, sand tray work, movement-based interventions, and age-appropriate cognitive behavioral strategies. For teens, we may use more traditional talk therapy combined with creative approaches.

  • The duration varies based on each child's unique needs and circumstances. Some children benefit from short-term support while others may need longer-term therapeutic relationships.

  • We maintain appropriate confidentiality while ensuring safety. We discuss confidentiality boundaries with both parents and children/teens at the beginning of treatment.

Ready to Support Your Child's Emotional Growth?

Take the first step toward helping your child thrive.