Our counselors provide therapy for children and teens in Houston, TX

My go-to approach for helping kids in child therapy is an eclectic approach. I find the best benefit in an eclectic approach is the flexibility it provides me to adjust to each child’s needs. Each child has a unique experience and upbringing. I pull tools from sand tray, art therapy, family systems, CBT, TF-CBT, DBT, positive psychology, trauma-informed care, and solution-focused therapies to help my kiddos achieve their goals.

My go-to approach for helping teens in therapy is an eclectic approach. I find the best benefit of an eclectic approach is the flexibility it provides me to adjust to each child’s needs. Each child has a unique experience and upbringing. I pull tools from art therapy, family systems therapy, CBT, TF-CBT, DBT, positive psychology, trauma-informed care, and solution-focused therapies to help my kiddos achieve their goals.

I teach the following tools in child therapy:

• Emotion regulation, impulse control, and distress tolerance via mindfulness practice, games, art, videos, and worksheets. I work with children and their families to help them attune to each other physically, emotionally, and mentally so they can build insight and confidence in being able to navigate life more effectively.
• How to recognize and verbalize emotions.
• Socialization skills to build and maintain healthy friendships.
• Perspectives of responsibility within the family system (what they are and are not responsible for).
• How to navigate changes such as relocation, loss/grief, and divorce.
• How to navigate bullying.
• Improving self-esteem and self-confidence.
• How to process and heal from trauma.

I teach the following tools in teen counseling:

• Emotion regulation, impulse control, and distress tolerance via mindfulness practice, games, art, videos, and worksheets. I work with children and their families to attune to each other physically, emotionally, and mentally so they can build insight and confidence in being able to navigate life more effectively.
• How to recognize and verbalize emotions.
• Socialization skills to build and maintain healthy friendships and relationships.
• Explore teens' values to help build autonomy and individuality.
• Gain perspective of responsibility within the family system (what they are and are not responsible for).
• How to navigate changes due to relocation, loss/grief, and divorce.
• How to navigate bullying.
• Improving self-esteem and self-confidence.
• How to process and heal from trauma.

I know a child is making meaningful progress in therapy when they can demonstrate changed behaviors and express their emotions or thoughts during times of distress. I also look for a child’s ability to listen, follow directions, and ability to communicate with their support system. If a child’s parent can report improvement at home or school and be actively involved in therapy by helping their child practice skills, the child can often make significant progress. A child can also make meaningful progress by expressing confidence in themselves or reporting more trust in their support system.

I know a teen is making meaningful progress in therapy when they can demonstrate changed behaviors, improved impulse control, and express their emotions or thoughts during times of distress. I also look for a teen’s ability to listen, follow directions, advocate for themselves in a respectful manner, and communicate with their support system. If a teen’s parent can report improvement at home or school and be actively involved in therapy by helping their teen practice skills, the teen can often make significant progress. A teen can also make meaningful progress by expressing confidence in themselves or reporting more trust with their support system.

Clients can supplement their time in child therapy with daily skills practice at home with the help of the child’s primary care system. I try to make a habit of giving my kiddos and their parents small, manageable tasks to practice each week. This helps to establish a new pattern and healthy habits. When needed, I also like to collaborate or assist with implementing skills or support at the child’s school, as they often spend a good portion of their week in that environment.

Clients can supplement their time in teen counseling with daily skills practice at home with the help of the teen’s primary care system. I try to make a habit of giving my teens and their parents small, manageable tasks to practice each week. This helps to establish a new pattern/healthy habits. When needed, I also like to collaborate or assist with implementing skills or support at the teen’s school, as they often spend a good portion of their week in that environment.

The first child therapy session can come with so many different emotions. In the first session, I ask that the parents are present for the majority of the session to provide information about the child’s history (family, behavioral, peer, medical, etc.). It’s important to share as much information and as honestly as possible, but my first priority will always be my client’s safety and comfort level. Your child is always welcome to join the first session, as this helps them build comfort with me as their therapist. I give children and parents the option to meet with me one-on-one for a few minutes if desired to share/gather more information. I encourage parents and children to always ask me questions in return because I want my clients to get to know me and feel safe/comfortable. Therapy is most effective when a person can connect with their therapist. You can prepare for therapy further by thinking about your top 2-3 goals. It is important for your child to feel like they are learning in therapy as well, so if they are willing to, they can also come up with something they would like to learn about in therapy.

A first teen therapy session can come with so many different emotions. In a first session, I ask that parents be present for a portion of the session to provide information about the teen’s history (family, behavioral, peer, medical, etc.). It’s important to share as much information as honestly as possible, but my first priority will always be my client’s safety and comfort level. I will typically spend at least half of the session with a teen to hear their perspective and assess their strengths. I give teens and parents the option to meet with me one-on-one for a few minutes if desired to share/gather more information. I encourage parents and teens to always ask me questions in return because I want my clients to get to know me and feel safe/comfortable. Therapy is most effective when a person can connect with their therapist. You can prepare for therapy further by thinking about your top 2-3 goals. It is important for your teen to feel like they are learning in therapy as well, so if they are willing to, they can also come up with something they would like to learn about/gain from therapy.