Child Therapy

The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.        Denis Waitley

When you are worried, confused, or concerned about your child’s behavior it can be a good idea to seek some assistance for your family.  It has been said many times, because it is true, kids do not come with manuals!  Each child and family are unique and it is sometimes helpful to have another set of eyes looking in at the very particular ways we adjust to life. Parenting can be difficult, challenging and rewarding all at the same time. The goal of Child Therapy is to help the rewarding part be the biggest part.

In Judy’s practice she sees children/pre-teens between the ages of 4 to 12.  (She also see teens, view that description under the Teen Tab).  An example of the kinds of concerns that parents have regarding their children are; behavioral compliance, school struggles (academic and social), divorce transition, ADHD/ADD, depression, anxiety, loss of an important person/pet and so on.

First, a good fit between the therapist and family needs to be established. Judy’s job begins with creating a relationship with the child and family where everyone can feel comfortable.  This is an important step because  a good match is a key ingredient for the success of the therapy.  Once that is determined,  Judy makes a developmental assessment of the child and family. Next, she will create, with the family, the goals to be achieved.  Judy believes in everyone playing an active part, so homework is often given so that the work extends outside the therapy hour.

Once enough progress has been made, the sessions will be stretched out in frequency in order to make sure that the changes/skills learned can be maintained on the family’s own.  It is the therapist’s job to help the family learn ‘how to fish’ and not just to fish for them.