Child & Adolescent Specific Services

Adolescence is a time of significant physical, emotional, and social change. It can be a challenging period, marked by increased stress, anxiety, and peer pressure. Our practice offers compassionate and effective mental health treatment for adolescents, helping them develop coping strategies, build resilience, and navigate the complexities of this stage of life.

Common Mental Health Challenges in Adolescents

• Anxiety Disorders: Generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and panic disorder.
• Depression: Symptoms of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest.
• Substance Abuse: Experimentation with drugs or alcohol.
• Eating Disorders: Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder.
• Body Image Issues: Negative self-perception and dissatisfaction with one’s appearance.
• Relationship Problems: Difficulties with peers, family, or romantic partners.
• Academic Stress: Pressure to succeed in school and meet expectations.

Our treatment approach for adolescent mental health is tailored to the individual needs of each adolescent and may include:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identifying and challenging negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to mental health problems.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Focusing on accepting distressing thoughts rather than fighting them, understanding personal values, enhancing psychological flexibility, and committing to actions that align with values. 
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Developing skills to manage emotions, tolerate distress, and improve relationships.
• Family Therapy: Involving family members in the treatment process to provide support and understanding.
• Medication Management: Exploring medication options that may be helpful in managing symptoms.

Benefits of Our Treatment

• Improved Mental Health: Reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.
• Enhanced Coping Skills: Developing effective strategies to manage stress and challenges.
• Strengthened Relationships: Improving relationships with family, friends, and peers.
• Improved Academic Performance: Enhancing academic achievement and success.

Long-Term Recovery: Developing the skills and strategies needed for lasting well-being.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in children can be a challenging condition that can significantly impact their daily lives. Our specialized therapy program offers compassionate and effective treatment for children struggling with OCD, helping them develop coping strategies and improve their quality of life.

Understanding Childhood OCD

OCD is a mental health condition characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. In children, these symptoms can manifest in various ways, including:

• Obsessions: Intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that cause distress or anxiety.
• Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety or prevent negative outcomes.

Our treatment approach for childhood OCD is tailored to the individual needs of each child and may include:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identifying and challenging obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): Gradually exposing the child to feared situations or objects while preventing them from engaging in compulsive behaviors.
• Family Therapy: Involving family members in the treatment process to provide support and understanding.
• Medication Management: Exploring medication options that may be helpful in managing symptoms.

Our treatment program offers several benefits, including:

• Reduced OCD Symptoms: Helping children manage obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors more effectively.
• Improved Quality of Life: Enhancing overall well-being and reducing the impact of OCD on daily life.
• Enhanced Social and Academic Functioning: Helping children succeed in school and build healthy relationships.

Long-Term Recovery: Developing the skills and strategies needed for lasting recovery.

Childhood anxiety disorders can significantly impact a child’s development and well-being. Our specialized therapy program offers compassionate and effective treatment for children experiencing anxiety, helping them develop coping strategies and improve their quality of life.

Anxiety disorders in children can manifest in various ways, including:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Excessive worry about multiple things.
• Separation Anxiety Disorder: Fear of separation from attachment figures.
• Social Anxiety Disorder: Fear of social situations or performance.  
• Specific Phobias: Intense fear of a particular object or situation.
• Panic Disorder: Unexpected and recurrent panic attacks.

Our treatment approach for childhood anxiety disorders is tailored to the individual needs of each child and may include:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identifying and challenging negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to anxiety.
• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): Gradually exposing the child to feared situations or objects while preventing avoidance behaviors.
• Mindfulness Techniques: Teaching children mindfulness practices to manage stress and anxiety.
• Family Therapy: Involving family members in the treatment process to provide support and understanding.
• Medication Management: Exploring medication options that may be helpful in managing symptoms.

Our treatment program offers several benefits, including:

• Reduced Anxiety Symptoms: Helping children manage anxiety and fear more effectively.
• Improved Quality of Life: Enhancing overall well-being and reducing the impact of anxiety on daily life.
• Enhanced Social and Academic Functioning: Helping children succeed in school and build healthy relationships.

Long-Term Recovery: Developing the skills and strategies needed for lasting recovery.

Impulse control and behavioral problems can significantly impact a child’s development and well-being. Our child psychologists offer compassionate and effective treatment for children experiencing these challenges, helping them develop healthy behaviors and improve their quality of life.

Impulse control and behavioral problems can manifest in various ways, including:

• Aggression: Physical or verbal aggression towards others or property.
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD): A pattern of angry, irritable, and defiant behavior.
• Conduct Disorder: A pattern of aggressive, destructive, or deceitful behavior.
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Difficulty paying attention, controlling impulses, and remaining still.

Our treatment approach for children with impulse control and behavioral problems is tailored to the individual needs of each child and may include:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identifying and challenging negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to problematic behaviors.
• Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT): Teaching parents effective parenting strategies to improve interactions with their child.
• Social Skills Training: Helping children develop and practice appropriate social skills.
• Medication Management: Exploring medication options that may be helpful in managing symptoms.

Our treatment program offers several benefits, including:

• Improved Behavior: Developing healthier coping mechanisms and reducing problematic behaviors.
• Enhanced Relationships: Strengthening relationships with family and peers.
• Improved Academic Performance: Improving focus and concentration in school.

Long-Term Recovery: Developing the skills and strategies needed for lasting positive change.

School refusal is a common childhood anxiety disorder characterized by persistent reluctance or refusal to attend school. It can significantly impact a child’s education, social development, and overall well-being. Our child psychologists offer compassionate and effective treatment for children experiencing school refusal, helping them develop coping strategies and return to a healthy school routine.

School refusal can be caused by various factors, including:

• Separation anxiety: Fear of separation from attachment figures.
• Social anxiety: Fear of social situations or performance.
• Specific phobias: Intense fear of a particular object or situation related to school.
• Bullying or harassment: Negative experiences at school.
• Physical health concerns: Underlying medical conditions that may contribute to school refusal.

Our treatment approach for school refusal is tailored to the individual needs of each child and may include:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identifying and challenging negative thoughts and beliefs related to school.
• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): Gradually exposing the child to the feared situation of attending school while preventing avoidance behaviors.
• Family Therapy: Involving family members in the treatment process to provide support and understanding.
• Medication Management: Exploring medication options that may be helpful in managing anxiety or underlying medical conditions.

Our treatment program offers several benefits, including:

• Reduced School Refusal: Helping children overcome their fear of attending school and return to a regular routine.
• Improved Academic Performance: Enhancing academic achievement and success.
• Enhanced Social Development: Fostering healthy relationships with peers and teachers.

Long-Term Recovery: Developing the skills and strategies needed for lasting recovery.