Child and Tween Counseling
(3 years – 12 years old)
“Children are not things to be molded but are people to be unfolded.”
~Jess Lair
Dealing with childhood frustrations
If childhood is supposed to be happy, why are we yelling all the time? Why can’t he just listen? When it seems that your child just refuses to follow through with what you have asked, it can be so frustrating.
Homework, chores, you name it, and it’s a fight. Should it be this hard??
She is crying every day that she needs to do homework, and it’s taking hours!
It’s breaking your heart to see her struggle through her work like this. You wish that you could just do it for her and make it easier. She is so smart but just can’t seem to get through the worry of doing it wrong. What can I do to help?
We are going through a divorce, and he is so angry all the time now. You never thought that your marriage would be ending, and now your child is struggling with angry outbursts and slipping grades.
Your ex-spouse isn’t much help, so you feel alone while trying to help your son through this and in the meantime feeling lost yourself.
Will it ever get better?
It can be hard to know when it’s time to seek help for your child. If you are reading this website, then more than likely the time is now. We can help you discover the answers to your questions.
Our client’s journey
We understand how difficult it can be to find the “right fit” for your child and your family.
This is the reason why we offer FREE new client consultations. They are a great way to meet us, see our counseling space, and decide if Willow Tree Counseling Center is the right fit for you.
Our consultations are typically 15-30 minutes in length and can be in person or over the phone.
Evaluating the problem
One of the hardest parts is now behind you! You have reached out for help and decided to move forward.
It’s now time for the initial assessment. Depending on the age and circumstances that bring you to counseling, your child may or may not be present for this session.
You can expect questions about your family’s mental health history, your child’s developmental milestones, and current reasons you are coming into counseling.
At times, formal assessment/screening tools will be used. This session can be from 45 minutes to 80 minutes, depending on the length of your family’s history.
Constructing a new relationship and communication
Now that we have a better idea of your family and your child, we need to start building a trusting, open relationship with you and your child.
Typically, we start this process over the next three consecutive sessions, which we ideally do once per week. Informal assessments are being done during sessions, and communication between your counselor and you are very important.
You, as the parent/guardian, are a vital part of your child’s treatment and at times may be invited to join sessions.
Your counselor also will strongly encourage ongoing communication in between sessions, so she has a full picture of how things are going.
To ensure that you always feel that we are open and available, you also can request to have a FREE parent meeting at any time during your child’s treatment.
Play therapy
For our youngest clients, we use play therapy to conduct our counseling sessions.
Play therapy creates a safe atmosphere, where children can express themselves, try new things, learn more about how the world works, learn about social rules and restrictions, and work through their problems.
This form of therapy gives children an opportunity to explore and open up more than usual.
Creating a plan
Once you have arrived at this stage of treatment, your counselor may offer to provide you with a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan.
Meeting during the establishment of a treatment plan includes any family (or like-family) member who you would like to be involved in your child’s treatment.
This plan details specific goals and objectives and how your counselor plans to address each need of your child. The process is very open and collaborative, and this is a value to some families.
Unless otherwise stated by your child’s counselor, your child’s attendance at this meeting is optional.
So how long does counseling take?
We cannot provide you with an exact amount of time it will take. However, we will be discussing and revisiting the treatment plan throughout our time together, so you will have a complete understanding of areas of success and continued areas of growth.
Our ultimate goal at Willow Tree Counseling Center is to successfully transition your child out of our services, thus allowing you to use the skills he/she/they has learned independently.
Please contact us! Call 240-308-7171.
