Best child counselors near me

Taking Your Child to a Therapist (for Parents)

What Is Therapy?

Many children and teens have problems that affect how they feel, act, or learn. Therapy is a type of treatment for these problems. It is a way to get help for your child.

In therapy, kids talk and learn how to work out their problems. Going to therapy helps them cope better, communicate better, and do better.

What Problems Do Therapists Help With?

Therapists are trained to help with all kinds of problems. For example, they help kids and teens going through tough times like:

family problems
school problems
bullying
health problems

They help with feelings like:

sadness
anger
stress and worry
low self-esteem
grief

They help kids and teens with conditions like:

ADHD
depression
OCD and anxiety
eating disorders
self-injury
disruptive behavior disorders
trauma-related disorders

Why Do Kids and Teens Need Therapy?

Kids and teens need therapy when they have problems they can't cope with alone. Or they need help when problems affect how well they do, feel, or act. If things don't get better on their own, kids may need therapy so things can improve. Sometimes, entire families need support while trying to communicate, learn, and create boundaries.

How Does Therapy Work?

In therapy, kids learn by doing. With younger kids, this means working with the whole family, drawing, playing, and talking. For older kids and teens, therapists share activities and ideas that focus on learning the skills they need. They talk through feelings and solve problems.

Therapists give praise and support as kids learn. They help kids believe in themselves and find their strengths. Therapy builds helpful thinking patterns and healthy behavioral habits.

A therapist might meet with the child and parent together or meet with the child alone. It depends on the child's age. A therapist might also meet with a parent to give tips and ideas for how to help their child at home.

What Happens in Therapy?

At first, the therapist will meet with you and your child to talk. They will ask questions and listen. This helps them learn more about your child and about the problem. The therapist will tell you how they can help.

After that, your child will go to more therapy visits. At these visits, your child might:

Talk. Talking is a healthy way to express feelings. When kids put feelings into words instead of actions, they can act their best. When someone listens and knows how they feel, kids are more ready to learn.
Do activities. Therapists use activities to teach about feelings and coping skills. They may have kids draw or play as a way to learn. They may teach mindfulness and calm breathing as a way to lower stress.
Practice new skills. Therapists help kids practice what they learn. They might play games where kids need to wait their turn, use self-control, be patient, follow directions, listen, share, try again, or deal with losing.

Solve problems. With older kids and teens, therapists ask how problems affect them at home, at school. They talk over how to solve these problems.

How Long Do Kids Do Therapy?

How long therapy lasts depends on the goals you and your child's therapist have. Most of the time, a therapist will want to meet with your child once a week for a few months.

How Can Parents Help?

You can do things to help your child get the most from therapy. Here are some of them:

Find a therapist you and your child feel comfortable with. Your child's health care team can help you find someone.
Take your child to all the appointments. Change takes time. It takes many therapy visits for your child to learn new skills and keep them up.
Meet with your child's therapist. Ask what to do when your child shows problems at home. Ask how to help your child do well.
Spend time with your child. Play, cook, read, or laugh together. Do this every day, even if it's only for a few minutes.
Parent with patience and warmth. Use kind words, even when you need to correct your child. Show love. Give praise when your child is doing well or trying hard.

Child Therapy | Valley Counseling Center

Watching your child grow up happy and playful puts a smile on your face.

There’s nothing you want more than for them to be loved and have great friendships, be full of happy memories and be successful in wherever life takes them.

You’ve been there to help them through the things that, to them, is the biggest problem in the world. You’ve seen the smile and satisfaction when they overcome an obstacle. You knew parenting would be a challenge, but you tackled it head on. You are present and there with them through the good times and the bad.

But now you’re seeing them struggle with challenges and you’re feeling lost with how to help. Perhaps you’ve noticed a lot of anxiety about school and social situations and are seeing it affect their daily life. Maybe you’re seeing tantrums or angry outbursts where they can’t seem to control their emotions. Perhaps you’re seeing them struggle with their-self esteem and you’re worried about how that will affect them in school.

You wonder if this is a phase they’ll grow out of or if it’s something that may hold them back.

You’re wondering if what they are going through is “typical”, but the truth is, what is “typical” for one kid is not for another. You worry about their future on their bad days and wonder if they’ll get through their struggles to find the right friends, be confident in school, and find their own way. Could their current struggles turn into something more serious? We want you to know that you are not alone here. All parents face these same thoughts and challenges, so we don’t want you to feel discouraged.

This is where VCC child therapists can help.

They are specially trained in working with children in therapy, and incorporate knowledge of child development into their therapeutic work. Our child therapists have years of education, training, and experience in working with a diverse group of kids that enables them to understand the issues your child is facing.

They are here to observe and help children process and work through issues through a variety of therapeutic techniques that are developmentally and age appropriate. For some children, play therapy may be effective in helping them to express their emotions and feelings. For older children, they may not be quite ready for traditional talk therapy, so our therapists use a combination of child-friendly activities and verbal discussions. Sometimes, it’s more about giving the child an outlet of a trained, trusted adult who is different from a parent. Our therapists are focused on incorporating child-led sessions with parent involvement in order to move toward the best outcome. They’re here to listen to your concerns and work with you, the parent, to find out if your child’s behaviors are “typical” or if there is a more deep-rooted issue.

Common Issues Where Child Therapy Helps:

Children are constantly changing as they grow and develop. Transitioning schools can be stressful, their identities are developing, and they are constantly learning about the world around them. It may seem like what they like changes daily. Some of the reasons that parents bring their child for therapy include:

Anxiety: Anytime your child seems overly nervous where it stops them from being themselves. This could be from social situations around others to starting school or participation in sports or other group activities.
Anger: Your child may be having more angry outbursts and are having trouble controlling themselves, in school or at home. You may not know what is causing them.
Your child has been through a scary or traumatic situation.
Recent Transitions: Maybe you’ve recently moved, your family has a new baby that is taking away attention, your family situation has changed, or your child is transitioning from elementary to middle school.
Perhaps you are seeing some behavioral concerns, such as aggression or tantrums.
Your child has recently had a friend that moved away or had a family member or pet that passed away.
Feeling down or hopeless, depression.
Difficulty concentrating at home or at school.
Low self esteem.
Struggling with peer relationships or feeling as though they don’t “fit in”.
Difficulty sleeping.

When you bring your child for therapy at VCC, they will experience therapy that is personalized for each child and developmentally appropriate for their age. They will:

Process and explore situations they encounter in everyday life.
Learn about what triggers their emotions and develop coping strategies for various settings, such as home or school.
Experience social and emotional learning (SEL) to identify their emotions and link the reasons or common situations for these emotions.
Learn how to communicate with others, express feelings, develop problem-solving skills and how to relate to others.
Learn how to better respond when told “no”.
Develop self-regulation skills, which is their ability to calm themselves or re-focus when they get distracted.
Be empowered to better manage their feelings and behaviors in their developing lives.
Feeling comfortable and secure with themselves and their peers

The therapeutic process is intended to help your child identify their emotions, understand their feelings, and see the consequences of behaviors arising from these feelings. Our approach is one that is a strength-based which views each child as a true partner in the process. What this really means is that we identify and focus on the strengths that a child already has and that our therapists use research based techniques that are focused specifically on the particular needs of your child.

We strive to make parents and caregivers an active part of therapy, and can offer parent-only sessions as well. Our therapists can help you to better understand some things to watch for with your child and provide some strategies to help your child when they find themselves in situations that trigger their emotions.

We work with children of all ages every day so there is very little that will surprise us. Our therapists are not here to judge your child or your parenting. We’re here to help your child work through their issues so they can be a fun, loving kid that is happy and healthy.

What to Expect in Child Therapy

Therapy starts with an intake appointment, when you and your child meet with the therapist to understand the counseling relationship. We’ll gather details about your child’s psychological and social background and the concerns that have brought you in for therapy. We’ll also focus on answering questions that you have and helping you and your child feel comfortable. We can talk about goals you have and what you and your child would like to achieve during this process.

The second session begins the therapeutic process. Sessions are typically weekly and last for approximately one hour. During early sessions, our therapists will work with your child to develop a connection and better get to know them. Once a level of trust has been built, your child will become more comfortable in session and begin to express their thoughts and feelings. Our skilled therapists work to quickly gain this trust and see your child’s interactions and behaviors to begin getting to the root of any issues they face. Here your therapist will use various techniques and strategies to work towards helping your child or family become healthier and happier.

As the therapeutic process progresses, sessions may reduce in frequency as changes are made and goals are achieved. This process can differ from family to family, and we strive to tailor each experience to each individual client, with collaboration between the therapist and family. Discharge from therapy can occur when you and your child are comfortable and secure that skills and strategies learned can be used outside of session successfully.

Your Next Steps

You want your child to be healthy and happy. You don’t want to worry if there is an underlying issue that’s causing them to not be themselves. Let our specialized therapists take that worry away. Your child can have a bright future. VCC is here to help.

Contact us at 717-790-1700, [email protected], or click the button below to schedule a therapy session for your child today.

Request an Appointment

35 child psychologists in Nizhny Novgorod, 394 reviews

45 reviews

Kikhtenko Daria Petrovna

Child psychologist

Experience 15 years

Clinic "Neuro-psi" (formerly "Neurology")

Gorkovskaya (1. 6 km)

Moscow (4.4 km)

Strelka (4.5 km)

There are contraindications. Check with your doctor.

17 reviews

Gennady Mikhailovich Trubin

Child psychologist

Experience 1 year

Clinic "Neuro-psi" (formerly "Neurology")

Gorkovskaya (1.6 km)

Moscow (4.4 km)

Strelka (4.5 km)

There are contraindications. Check with your doctor.

6 reviews

Balakhonskaya Nadezhda Alexandrovna

Child psychologist

Experience 15 years

Clinic "Neuro-psi" (formerly "Neurology")

Gorkovskaya (1.6 km)

Moscow (4.4 km)

Strelka (4.5 km)

There are contraindications. Check with your doctor.

50 reviews

Aleksey Sergeevich Gulyaev

Psychologist, child psychologist

Experience 10 years

Clinic "Neuro-psi" (formerly "Neurology")

Gorkovskaya (1.6 km)

Moscow (4.4 km)

Strelka (4.5 km)

107 reviews

Volgina Elena Nikolaevna

Psychologist, child psychologist

Experience 9 years

Clinic "Alexandria" on Gagarin Clinic "Alexandria" on Osharskaya

Gorkovskaya (2. 7 km)

Leninskaya (2.9 km)

Zarechnaya (3.4 km)

Gorkovskaya (1.5 km)

Moscow (0.5 km3)

Chkalovskaya (4.9 km)

40 reviews

Guseva Anastasia Omarovna

Psychologist, child psychologist

Experience 7 years

Clinic "Neuro-psi" (formerly "Neurology")

Gorkovskaya (1.6 km)

Moscow (4.4 km)

Strelka (4.5 km)

3 reviews

Kurzykina Anna Alekseevna

Psychologist, child psychologist, clinical psychologist

Experience 13 years

"Tonus Krokh" on Rodionova

17 reviews

Gennady Mikhailovich Trubin

Psychologist, child psychologist

Experience 1 year

Clinic "Neuro-psi" (formerly "Neurology")

Gorkovskaya (1. 6 km)

Moscow (4.4 km)

Strelka (4.5 km)

5 reviews

Smirnova Anastasia Sergeevna

Psychologist, child psychologist

Experience 4 years

"Tonus Krokh" on Rodionova

2 reviews

Sharonova Daria Alekseevna

Psychologist, child psychologist

Experience 8 years

Clinic "Neuro-psi" (formerly "Neurology")

Gorkovskaya (1.6 km)

Moscow (4.4 km)

Strelka (4.5 km)

6 reviews

Balakhonskaya Nadezhda Alexandrovna

Child psychologist

Experience 15 years

Clinic "Neuro-psi" (formerly "Neurology")

Gorkovskaya (1. 6 km)

Moskovskaya (4.4 km)

Strelka (4.5 km)

Mikhailova Ekaterina Yurievna

Child psychologist

Years of experience

"Zdorovenok" on Vorovskogo

Gorkovskaya (520 m)

Moscow (2.7 km)

Chkalovskaya (3.1 km)

45 reviews

Kikhtenko Daria Petrovna

Psychologist, child psychologist

Experience 15 years

Clinic "Neuro-psi" (formerly "Neurology")

Gorkovskaya (1.6 km)

Moscow (4.4 km)

Strelka (4.5 km)

28 reviews

Kadysheva Ekaterina Pavlovna

Psychologist, child psychologist, clinical psychologist

Experience 20 years

"Tonus Krokh" on Rodionova

69 reviews

Rodionova Irina Vladimirovna

Child psychologist, psychologist, breastfeeding specialist

Experience 6 years

Children's clinic "Rusmedkids"

1 review

Lutskova Oksana Nikolaevna

Psychologist, child psychologist

Experience 27 years

"Tonus Krokh" on Vaneeva "Tonus Krokh" on Rodionova

Gorkovskaya (1. 5 km)

Moscow (4.5 km)

Strelka (4.9 km)

6 reviews

Lebedeva Svetlana Vitalievna

Psychologist, child psychologist

Experience 22 years

Clinic "Alexandria" on Gagarin

Gorkovskaya (2.7 km)

Leninskaya (2.9 km)

Zarechnaya (3.4 km)

1 review

Brsoyan Ani Norayri

Psychologist, child psychologist

Clinic "Family Practice"

Gorkovskaya (288 m)

Moscow (3. 3 km)

Chkalovskaya (3.7 km)

2 reviews

Bushman Tatyana Anatolyevna

Psychologist, child psychologist

Experience 8 years

Clinic "Medland"

Komsomolskaya (1.6 km)

Avtozavodskaya (1.8 km)

Kirovskaya (1.8 km)

1 review

Sukhova Elena Anatolyevna

Psychologist, child psychologist

Experience 17 years

Clinic "Medland"

Komsomolskaya (1.6 km)

Avtozavodskaya (1. 8 km)

Kirovskaya (1.8 km)

4 reviews

Egorova Irina Venediktovna

Psychologist, child psychologist, neuropsychologist

Experience 15 years

Diagnostic center on Gagarin

Zarechnaya (3.5 km)

Leninskaya (3.6 km)

Revolution Engine (3.8 km)

5 reviews

Doronina Olga Yurievna

Psychologist, child psychologist, clinical psychologist

Experience 7 years

Clinic "Family Practice Plus"

1 review

Sysorova Oksana Yurievna

Psychologist, child psychologist

Medical and psychological center "Rostok"

Gorkovskaya (412 m)

Moskovskaya (3. 0 km)

Chkalovskaya (3.4 km)

98 psychologists of Nizhny Novgorod, 731 reviews

45 reviews

Kikhtenko Daria Petrovna

Psychologist

Experience 15 years

Clinic "Neuro-psi" (formerly "Neurology")

Gorkovskaya (1.6 km)

Moscow (4.4 km)

Strelka (4.5 km)

There are contraindications. Check with your doctor.

50 reviews

Gulyaev Alexey Sergeevich

Psychologist

Experience 10 years

Clinic "Neuro-psi" (formerly "Neurology")

Gorkovskaya (1.6 km)

Moscow (4.4 km)

Strelka (4.5 km)

There are contraindications. Check with your doctor.

40 reviews

Guseva Anastasia Omarovna

Psychologist

Experience 7 years

Clinic "Neuro-psi" (formerly "Neurology")

Gorkovskaya (1.6 km)

Moscow (4.4 km)

Strelka (4.5 km)

There are contraindications. Check with your doctor.

23 reviews

Oreshina Daria Alekseevna

Psychologist, neuropsychologist

Experience 3 years

"Psychotherapy on Piskunov"

Gorkovskaya (1.4 km)

Moscow (3.7 km)

Strelka (3.8 km)

22 reviews

Fokina Tatyana Alexandrovna

Clinical psychologist, psychologist

Experience 16 years

PhD

"Psychotherapy on Piskunov"

Gorkovskaya (1. 4 km)

Moscow (3.7 km)

Strelka (3.8 km)

40 reviews

Petrova Elena Anatolyevna

Psychotherapist, psychiatrist, psychologist

Experience 22 years

"Psychotherapy on Piskunov"

Gorkovskaya (1.4 km)

Moscow (3.7 km)

Strelka (3.8 km)

49 reviews

Razzhivina Lyudmila Petrovna

Psychologist, clinical psychologist

Experience 25 years

"Psychotherapy on Piskunov"

Gorkovskaya (1. 4 km)

Moscow (3.7 km)

Strelka (3.8 km)

50 reviews

Aleksey Sergeevich Gulyaev

Psychologist, child psychologist

Experience 10 years

Clinic "Neuro-psi" (formerly "Neurology")

Gorkovskaya (1.6 km)

Moscow (4.4 km)

Strelka (4.5 km)

107 reviews

Volgina Elena Nikolaevna

Psychologist, child psychologist

Experience 9 years

Clinic "Alexandria" on Gagarin Clinic "Alexandria" on Osharskaya

Gorkovskaya (2. 7 km)

Leninskaya (2.9 km)

Zarechnaya (3.4 km)

Gorkovskaya (1.5 km)

Moscow (0.5 km3)

Chkalovskaya (4.9 km)

40 reviews

Guseva Anastasia Omarovna

Psychologist, child psychologist

Experience 7 years

Clinic "Neuro-psi" (formerly "Neurology")

Gorkovskaya (1.6 km)

Moscow (4.4 km)

Strelka (4.5 km)

3 reviews

Kurzykina Anna Alekseevna

Psychologist, child psychologist, clinical psychologist

Experience 13 years

"Tonus Krokh" on Rodionova

17 reviews

Gennady Mikhailovich Trubin

Psychologist, child psychologist

Experience 1 year

Clinic "Neuro-psi" (formerly "Neurology")

Gorkovskaya (1. 6 km)

Moscow (4.4 km)

Strelka (4.5 km)

5 reviews

Smirnova Anastasia Sergeevna

Psychologist, child psychologist

Experience 4 years

"Tonus Krokh" on Rodionova

4 reviews

Balabanov Alexander Vasilyevich

Psychologist, clinical psychologist

Experience 4 years

"Psychotherapy on Piskunov"

Gorkovskaya (1.4 km)

Moscow (3.7 km)

Strelka (3.8 km)

1 review

Beresneva Elena Vladimirovna

Psychologist

Experience 2 years

Clinic "Alexandria" on Krasnodontsev

Park of Culture (1. 5 km)

Kirovskaya (1.8 km)

Komsomolskaya (2.4 km)

Efimkina Tatiana Viktorovna

Psychologist 4 9003

Experience 4

Clinic of neurology "Tonus Life" on Rodionova

Gulyaeva Aleksandra Nikolaevna

Psychologist

Experience 1 year

"Tonus Krokh" on Rodionova

Gromova Natalia Nikolaevna

Psychologist

Experience 7 years

Clinic "Neuro-psi" (formerly "Neurology")

Gorkovskaya (1.6 km)

Moscow (4.4 km)

Strelka (4.5 km)

Kostrov Andrey Nikolaevich

Psychologist

4 Experience Wellness center "Vesnorma"

Gorkovskaya (1.0 km)

Moscow (3. 7 km)

Strelka (3.9 km)

18 reviews

Apostolova Marina Viktorovna

Psychotherapist, psychiatrist, psychologist

Experience 22 years

Top category

"Psychotherapy on Piskunov"

Gorkovskaya (1.4 km)

Moscow (3.7 km)

Strelka (3.8 km)

45 reviews

Kikhtenko Daria Petrovna

Psychologist, child psychologist

Experience 15 years

Clinic "Neuro-psi" (formerly "Neurology")

Gorkovskaya (1.

Learn more